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12-09-2017, 12:26 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: ND
Posts: 452
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If you have the DRDT-2, it replaces the C-frame riveting tool that Cleaveland bundles in the kit, correct?
What about a pneumatic squeezer? If that fully replaces the hand squeezer, it doesn?t seem like such an indulgence given that the latter is over half the price of the former. But if you need both, then it seems like it adds up quickly.
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12-09-2017, 12:31 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 492
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The body of the pneumatic squeezer is quite bulky and there are a few places where it won't fit but the hand squeezer will, having both is a good thing. I think a good estimate is that you will spend 2X the tool kit cost by the time you are done buying tools.
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12-09-2017, 01:06 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Sugar Land, TX
Posts: 406
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iamtheari
If you have the DRDT-2, it replaces the C-frame riveting tool that Cleaveland bundles in the kit, correct?
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Correct, you don't need both the DRDT and the C-frame. I have never wished I had the C-Frame and I have driven almost all the required rivets in the RV-10.
__________________
Dave Macdonald
RV-10 First Flight April 1, 2020.  Currently in Phase 1
2020 VAF Dues Paid
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12-09-2017, 01:10 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 4,218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iamtheari
If you have the DRDT-2, it replaces the C-frame riveting tool that Cleaveland bundles in the kit, correct?
What about a pneumatic squeezer? If that fully replaces the hand squeezer, it doesn’t seem like such an indulgence given that the latter is over half the price of the former. But if you need both, then it seems like it adds up quickly.
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The DRDT doesn't make dimples as "crisp" as the C-frame, but yes, if you have one, you don't need the other.
You can pick up hand squeezers for <$100 if you shop carefully. Above that cost, you're looking at incremental improvements, not game changers.
__________________
Kyle Boatright
Marietta, GA
2001 RV-6 N46KB
2019(?) RV-10
Last edited by Kyle Boatright : 12-09-2017 at 01:43 PM.
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12-10-2017, 09:04 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pottsboro TX
Posts: 84
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MY two cents worth
1. get the pneumatic squeezer. various yokes. I have 4, three lengths and C size
2. Right now Pan-American tools has a Xmas sale on their drill bit sets. I wish I had the #1-#60 set. There are many occasions where you need an oddball size bit. Often a one time use. This in addition to the common bits, 40,30,27,19.
3. get a Pneumatic clock puller. or find out how to treat tennis elbow 
4. 1" grey abrasive wheel. I've gone through several. They are great for deburring rib flanges. The larger wheels have limited use.
5. My builders kit (from avery) included some cleckos that I never used. The gold color and the black color aren't used on the -14
6.There are a couple of applications for the 1/16 cleckos are used. they are not included in most kits.
7. angle drill-either the attachment or a seperate drill is a must
8. give some thought to how to organize the parts bags. I'm not sure my way is best. I put each bag in a parts bin. I have spent a lot of time reviewing inventory lists to find which bag a part is in.
__________________
14A Wing Complete!
Tail Complete
Fuse Complete
Engine installed
Wing Mounted
Inspected and certified 1-31-20
First Flight 3-25-20
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12-10-2017, 01:27 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Savannah, GA
Posts: 1,029
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Quote:
Originally Posted by caapt
8. give some thought to how to organize the parts bags. I'm not sure my way is best. I put each bag in a parts bin. I have spent a lot of time reviewing inventory lists to find which bag a part is in.
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I've found it easier, outside of a few specialized things like the rod-ends, just to dump all the standard hardware into sorted drawers by type and size. So I have a bin for AN3-3A, AN4-4A, and so on. But then, the -7 plans don't generally give you instruction by hardware bag, just the part numbers.
https://smile.amazon.com/Akro-Mils-1.../dp/B000LDH3JC
__________________
RV-7ER - finishing kit and systems installation
There are two kinds of fool in the world. The first says "this is old, and therefore good"; the second says "this is new, and therefore better".
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12-11-2017, 02:21 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 1,024
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All the previous comments are good advice
After numerous builds, my tool preferences have changed.
I built my first RV with basic tools and everything worked out fine.
However, preferences have changed as follows and I offer a few things to think about:
My Sioux drills are getting dusty since I almost always go to my cordless DeWalt 20V drills unless I need a smaller drill to fit in a particular space, which is very rare. (A 90* drill is handy but you don't really need one.)
I use the C-Frame for some riveting, but I now use the DRDT exclusively for dimpling. Easier and quieter and I haven't had a problem with results, but you can't rivet with it.
I prefer a 2X rivet gun because it is smaller and lighter than a 3X gun. A 3X gun would be preferable for a slow build kit since there will be a lot of 1/8" rivets, but for a QB, a 2X is plenty good. I recommend a small regulator on the handle of the gun for pressure adjustments.
For power tools, I use a band saw, disk/belt sander, grinder with a scotch bright wheel and a drill press. I have had both floor mount versions and bench top versions and I prefer the smaller bench top models. The only bench top tool I wore out was a band saw, which lasted for several builds before I decided to replace rather than repair. (HF sells cheap tool stands which work great for mounting these bench top tools, if you have the room.) I also have a vise mounted on a grinder stand and it works great for smaller stuff and can be moved around easily.
A small 20 gal compressor is all you need. Make sure to get the piston variety, instead of the diaphragm type, so the noise doesn't make you deaf. (Jay Pratt has built about 50 planes using a small 20 gal compressor!)
Fancy work benches are nice, but a piece of plywood on two saw horses is more than ample. You can take them down and lean them against the wall when you need space and you can have a couple different sizes of plywood for a smaller bench top when you don't need a larger one. Plus, you don't have to worry about drilling into it as you work and ruining the table top.
I have several work carts, from HF, to hold all my clecos, clamps, etc. so I can wheel them around to where I am working or be stored out of the way. The shelves on the cart are also a good place to store your drills and other hand tools. (you can also hang a lot of stuff on the wall if you have pegboard!)
You will need a lot of clecos, more 3/32" than 1/8" but the more the merrier. You may want a few of the larger sizes, but you can decide as you go along. I have at least 5 cleco pliers and a couple more would be nice to have. They also make a couple specialty cleco pliers that allow you to reverse them for tight spots, and one to get the cleco from straight up. I use these occasionally but they are not a necessity. I also have a pneumatic cleco tool which gets occasional use like when doing wing and fuselage skins, which require a lot of clecos.
I like to use several of the plastic drawer type storage bin thingies. I typically sort all of the bags of hardware in them right away and then just get the part I need as I go along. (I sort by type, not by bag.) Much easier than hunting through all the little bags as you go. That also allows you to add any bolt, rivet, etc. stock that you have in an organized way. I have these mounted on the pegboard wall to save table space.
Pneumatic squeezers are wonderful! If I had only one I would have one with the longeron yoke and a 3" no hole yoke at a minimum. I use these the most, however a hand squeezer would see you through the entire build.
There will probably be lots of other small tools and attachments that you will acquire over the build, but you'd be surprised at what you can do with just the basics.
Have fun!
__________________
Steve Formhals
A&P, Tech Counselor & Flight Advisor
RV3B
RV8
Last edited by sf3543 : 12-11-2017 at 06:27 PM.
Reason: Grammer
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12-11-2017, 04:25 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: ND
Posts: 452
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Wow, that is a lot of kit planes. Are you doing the 3 just as a challenge at this point?
I?m planning to slow build. Does that change the above advice, especially about drills and rivet guns? I would be happy to use my Dewalt 20V drill instead of buying a $250 air drill but only if it doesnt mean hating my drill, airplane, or both. Same goes with driving all rivets with a 2X gun vs a 3X.
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12-11-2017, 06:19 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 356
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iamtheari
Same goes with driving all rivets with a 2X gun vs a 3X.
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I should qualify my earlier 2X rivet gun recommendation. I do not recommend it for rivets larger than AD3's (the vast majority of rivets are AD3's). I used my 3X gun for AD4 rivets or any AD3 rivets that you set with a 12" offset back rivet set. If you go with only one gun it should be a 3X with a regulator attached to the gun in my opinion. If you're going to slow build, two guns, each for the right purpose, is a worthwhile investment.
I also used a DRDT and am very pleased with the results, if you set it up right the dimples are nice and uniformly crisp. My wife did a lot of the dimpling with it and it was very easy for her to use.
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12-11-2017, 06:20 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 1,024
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Same advice for slow build versus QB.
Get the 3x rivet gun unless you can borrow one for the larger rivets.
You don’t need all the tools right away. Get started with the minimum if you want and get them as you need or want them.
For some items, such as dimple and squeezer dies, I think quality is the way to go, so don’t skimp on them. It will pay off in the long run. You can search the forum for discussions on the best ones. Avery isn’t around any more but I like Cleveland tools, too. That’s just me.
I prefer the battery drills, since they are smaller and lighter than they used to be, but if you decide you need a pneumatic drill you can always get one.
As you progress you will decide what you need and want so sometimes it’s wiser to wait on some items.
Try to meet some builders near you and you can probably get a chance to try out some of the more airplane specific tools before you commit to buying your own. Meeting other builders or joining an active EAA Chapter is about the best thing a new builder can do, in my opinion.
And yes, the RV3 is a challenge, but a lot of fun. Can’t wait to finish!
Good luck and have fun!!
__________________
Steve Formhals
A&P, Tech Counselor & Flight Advisor
RV3B
RV8
Last edited by sf3543 : 12-11-2017 at 06:23 PM.
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