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08-14-2017, 08:53 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Clearwater, FL KCLW
Posts: 1,281
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I built a couple "EAA standard workbenches", http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/w...l/worktabl.htm, as a start. You will also want to have a bench grinder with scotchbrite wheel for all the deburring (I assume you still have some of that to do on a 14). If you're building workbenches, I would build one that accommodates the DRDT-2 dimpler as well, as this will make that chore much easier on you and the parts you are dimpling. Something like this: http://rv-14a.blogspot.com/2013/03/d...-finished.html
Have a bunch of storage bins, shelving, and small parts containers to store all the parts. I used a labeling machine at first, then just went to sharpie.
After that, the other advice is pretty spot on, just order a kit and get started. You can even start with their practice kits. As you work on your build, you will find yourself rearranging your shop, so don't stress too much about it early on.
Chris
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Chris Johnson
RV-9A - Done(ish) 4/5/16! Flying 4/7/16
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08-14-2017, 09:01 AM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Tuttle, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,563
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Ok, I know you are requesting information on readings concerning the construction of an RV. However, I think these are also 'required reading' for anyone interested in building an RV. Keep in mind you may find yourself losing many hours of time should you take up reading any of the following forum threads. Regardless of time spent, it will be time well spent.
This is Scott Chastain's accounting of his current adventure across America:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?t=152245
This is Scott Chastain's past account from last summer of his trip across America:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?t=140836
This is Vlad's thread on his trip to Russia:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...highlight=vlad
All are riveting reading. In my opinion "must reads"!
Last edited by RVbySDI : 08-14-2017 at 09:04 AM.
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08-14-2017, 10:35 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 860
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Required Reading
Since you asked specifically about "required reading":
+1 on the RV14 flash drive manual from Van's. Sections 1-5 will give you a good start on the questions you are asking.
+1 on the Bingelis books from EAA
The Sportplane Builder
Sportplane Construction Techniques
Firewall Forward
Tony Bingelis on Engines
FAA AC 43.13 Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices-Aircraft Inspection, Repair and Alterations. You don't have to pre-read this before starting but it's a valuable reference throughout your build
The Aerolectric Connection by Bob Nuckolls. Start planning your electrical system early.
Primer  Do a search on this website for "Primer" and "Primer Wars". Your decision will depend on your location (near a coast or inland) and whether you want your plane to last 200 years or just 100.
You'll never have quite enough space. If you don't have a hangar, plan for ways to store the completed assemblies. My empennage is in my mezzanine, my wings are in my workshop (ex family room) and my fuselage is in my second garage bay (had to find another location to park my sports car).
I already had a steel topped workbench with a good vice for general mechanical work in my machine shop (utility room between workshop 2 and garage). For the empennage, flaps, ailerons and parts of the wings, I built a 2' x 8' workbench using 4" aluminum channels as a perimeter frame and crossmembers with 2 layers of 3/4" mdf on top. Yes it is overkill. No you probably don't need anything this elaborate, but the plans said a "flat surface" so I made it as flat as I could, and being near the coast, it is unaffected by humidity changes.
As mentioned above, many of these kind of decisions can't be made in advance, only by solving the many "How do I ...." questions as the build progresses.
The hardest part of my build was deciding to order the empennage.
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Terry Edwards
RV-9A (Fuselage)
2020/2021 VAF Contribution Sent
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08-14-2017, 01:00 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Asheville, NC
Posts: 2,692
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Quote:
Originally Posted by terrye
FAA AC 43.13 Acceptable Methods, Techniques and Practices-Aircraft Inspection, Repair and Alterations.
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You gotta' be kiddin' me. 
Isn't that prescribed for insomnia?
But seriously, yes it is a "required" reference and +1 to the rest of the recommendations.
I think most standard kit builders know that Vans instructions (IE Step 1, Step 2, etc) are excruciatingly detailed for the tail, still detailed for the wings and become less so for the fuselage and remainder as they reference the prints more and more. That was the way I interpreted it for my standard build 7A anyway. At the end, one is working off your own custom list of tasks.
It is a point I have observed in regards to QB kit buyers I have directly seen. They have to jump into the middle of the instructions. Not something I would want to do myself. Many questions come that would have been answered on their own via building more of the craft.
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Bill Pendergrass
ME/AE '82
RV-7A: Flying since April 15, 2012. 850 hrs
YIO-360-M1B, mags, CS, GRT EX and WS H1s & A/P, Navworx
Unpainted, polished....kinda'... Eyeballin' vinyl really hard.
Yeah. The boss got a Silhouette Cameo 4 Xmas 2019.
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08-14-2017, 01:06 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 1,643
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Quote:
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It is a point I have observed in regards to QB kit buyers I have directly seen. They have to jump into the middle of the instructions. Not something I would want to do myself. Many questions come that would have been answered on their own via building more of the craft.
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I can only speak to the 14, but there wasn't a lot that needed to be done on the QB fuse as far as backtracking and it wasn't hard to pick up where they left off, there is a guide that tells you what the QB folks did, what Vans did, and what is left for the builder. It's been mostly straight forward with the guide. Some modifications for tri-gear vs tail dragger, then on to systems and plumbing.
__________________
RV-14A #140376
N196 (Flying)
2019 Bronze Lindy
Last edited by bkervaski : 08-14-2017 at 01:12 PM.
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08-14-2017, 02:26 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
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You could buy the practice kits and build them. By the time you've finished them, your hands will have a good idea of how to build the airframe. And it's a lot cheaper than the first kit.
It's a good exercise of the shop, the lighting, the tools and so on.
Dave
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08-14-2017, 03:26 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Montreal
Posts: 1,456
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you can only learn the very basics of s&x from a book. Eventually you have to just do it and figure it out. Building a plane is the same.
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Scott Black
Old school simple VFR RV 4, O-320, wood prop, MGL iEfis Lite
VAF dues 2020
Instagram @sblack2154
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08-14-2017, 05:12 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Tampa
Posts: 8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rgmwa
Step 1 is `Order tail kit'. Everything else will soon fall into place. 
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I've considered this approach.....
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08-14-2017, 05:58 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Birmingham, Alabama
Posts: 1,643
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Basically you cannot prepare enough, might as well get started and get some work done while you are learning. Vans also has training kits if you don't want to take a riveting class.
__________________
RV-14A #140376
N196 (Flying)
2019 Bronze Lindy
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