Yet another tool thread.

[jssaylor2007]

Sorry guys, but my question is what tools are needed that don’t generally come in one of the tool kits? I’m talking things most people don’t think of because they are already in their home shop, things such as vice, bench grinder, band saw, etc.

I’m trying to find out what all I need to budget for toolwise (including toolkit) prior to budgeting for the empennage.

Also if this has been done before, I would appreciate a link. Thanks!

[jcarne]

I found that no matter how much planning you do just make sure you have money set aside for future tool purchases. It is amazing how many tools I have had to buy. However, I am also of the mindset that if a tool makes a job easier I just have to own it.

There is definitely a minimum to get the job done but this usually results in misery. For example, you will do a fair amount of cutting thick (1/8"+) aluminum which can be done with a hack saw but man it sure does suck. That is where a band saw would come in handy. Not everything can be done with a band saw though so a hack saw is a must. This is just one example.

It would take me a long time to make a list of tools that I have and use so I'll wait to see if anyone else already has one they will post first.

The plus side of the coin is that not everything has to be purchased at once. For example, there are a lot of electronics/wiring tools you will have to get such as strippers, crimpers, extraction tools, more crimpers, etc. These don't need to be purchased until well later in the build. I purchased mine around 1500 hrs of building.

As far as my most used tools through the build I would say dremel, sandpaper, files, nova air drill, and vise. In that order. Oh and by the way, you can't have too big of an air compressor in my mind. That is the only tool purchase I still regret. Someday I will slam a 60 or 80 gal in my garage.

[jssaylor2007]

Originally Posted by jcarne

I found that no matter how much planning you do just make sure you have money set aside for future tool purchases. It is amazing how many tools I have had to buy. However, I am also of the mindset that if a tool makes a job easier I just have to own it.

There is definitely a minimum to get the job done but this usually results in misery. For example, you will do a fair amount of cutting thick (1/8"+) aluminum which can be done with a hack saw but man it sure does suck. That is where a band saw would come in handy. Not everything can be done with a band saw though so a hack saw is a must. This is just one example.

It would take me a long time to make a list of tools that I have and use so I'll wait to see if anyone else already has one they will post first.

The plus side of the coin is that not everything has to be purchased at once. For example, there are a lot of electronics/wiring tools you will have to get such as strippers, crimpers, extraction tools, more crimpers, etc. These don't need to be purchased until well later in the build. I purchased mine around 1500 hrs of building.

As far as my most used tools through the build I would say dremel, sandpaper, files, nova air drill, and vise. In that order. Oh and by the way, you can't have too big of an air compressor in my mind. That is the only tool purchase I still regret. Someday I will slam a 60 or 80 gal in my garage.

Appreciate the reply. I guess a follow up would be, is there a bare minimum on tools required to get started on the empennage? I?m firmly in hurry up and wait mode at the moment, so am basically really excited to get started.

[catcrew]

Originally Posted by jssaylor2007

Appreciate the reply. I guess a follow up would be, is there a bare minimum on tools required to get started on the empennage? I?m firmly in hurry up and wait mode at the moment, so am basically really excited to get started.

Band saw, vice, and a method to debur. You will be deburing almost instantly. If you are going to get a 6 inch wheel, then get the grinder you will mount it on.

Make sure you have a good pressure regulator/ oiling/ drying system for your air tank. Get some good lightweight hoses and have your connections/ system planned out.

If you are planning to use a cordless drill, extra batteries. Speaking of drills, order an extra 6 pack of #40 & #30 bits

I am not mentioning the things from the "tool kits" as you requested.

Did you order the plans on the flash drive. I generally read up a few pages in front and make sure I have all the tools necessary and order them as they come up.

[BrianDC]

Honestly what is in the toolkits offered by a few of the vendors has just about everything you need save some c-clamps, a hack saw, compressor (if using air tools), and maybe a dead blow hammer. Also a set of screwdrivers. The other stuff like a bandsaw or belt sander make life easier but are not strictly necessary. Some of it comes to your building style and appetite for purchasing tools.

You will need some slack in your budget for all the little ?nice to have? or consumables that will always come up. Just wait till you have to reorder some part you screw up. It happens.

Best advice is start. If you wait till you have all the tools you think you need, you I?ll never begin.

[DRMA]

While the tool kits are reasonably complete, as others have said you will be buying a lot of additional tools as you progress with the build.

A couple of tools that are not required but I found very nice to have (and that I personally wouldn't build without) are a pneumatic rivet squeezer and a DRDT-2 for dimpling (replacing the C-Frame tool). If you think you may want either of these, I would get them early as there are a lot of rivets to be squeezed and a lot of holes to dimple in large sheets in the empennage kit.

And I recommend a slow speed 8" grinder for mounting the ScotchBrite wheel on. The lower speed makes it much easier to control as you are de-burring and shaping parts. Something like this one: https://www.rockler.com/rikon-80-805...-bench-grinder

I suggest the Cleaveland Tool kits for your specific RV kit, as they have some of the best dimple dies and excellent customer service.

Good luck with your new endeavor.

[wirejock]

A bunch of tools not found in the kit.
Tungsten bars
CDI 1/4" torque wrench
Washer wrench set
Thin wall sockets
Screw drill bits
Right angle drill attachment
Reamers
Drill stops
Regulators ( RTI 1/4")
HVLP paint gun
Hobby Air respirator
All the home made tools in my Kitplanes tips on my blog
I could go on, and on.

[Tassie]

You may not have decided this yet, but to some extent how much extra cash you spend on tools "in the future" will depend on whether you are going to do slow-build or quick-build wings/fuselage.

If you are going slow-build, then I find it unimaginable to be without some of the common extras, from nutplate drill jigs through to a pneumatic squeezer with a range of yokes. Another example - it's a lot more convenient if you have several countersink cages, each fitted with different size countersinks and "set up" ready to go. Having gone the slow-build route, it would have driven me nuts if I had to re-calibrate a countersink cage every time I switched from #30 to #40 countersinks or back.

Don't get me wrong, an all quick-build RV-10 is a large project, but my point is a slow-build RV10 is an even larger project, and any tool strategy that saves time and/or improves accuracy (which can be the same thing) will be something you'll appreciate for the latter case.

[jssaylor2007]

Originally Posted by Tassie

You may not have decided this yet, but to some extent how much extra cash you spend on tools "in the future" will depend on whether you are going to do slow-build or quick-build wings/fuselage.

If you are going slow-build, then I find it unimaginable to be without some of the common extras, from nutplate drill jigs through to a pneumatic squeezer with a range of yokes. Another example - it's a lot more convenient if you have several countersink cages, each fitted with different size countersinks and "set up" ready to go. Having gone the slow-build route, it would have driven me nuts if I had to re-calibrate a countersink cage every time I switched from #30 to #40 countersinks or back.

Don't get me wrong, an all quick-build RV-10 is a large project, but my point is a slow-build RV10 is an even larger project, and any tool strategy that saves time and/or improves accuracy (which can be the same thing) will be something you'll appreciate for the latter case.

Haven?t decided on QB yet, but may decide to do QB wings solely because of all the issues I read about when sealing the tanks. QB fuselage doesn?t seem like as much of a benefit aside from straight time savings. Ultimately though I will cross that bridge when I get there, and may decide to go slow throughout or quick throughout.

[jssaylor2007]

Originally Posted by catcrew

If you are planning to use a cordless drill, extra batteries. Speaking of drills, order an extra 6 pack of #40 & #30 bits

Did you order the plans on the flash drive. I generally read up a few pages in front and make sure I have all the tools necessary and order them as they come up.

Can I use a cordless drill in place of the Sioux drill that comes in the kit? I was thinking one of the smaller a Milwaukee cordless.

Unfortunately I haven?t ordered the kit yet, hoping to get it in the next few months, but knew I would need tools first. Can you get both paper and USB?