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07-28-2010, 08:02 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 9
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RV Tool Kits Suggestions
For the first time builder, how do you guys recommend acquiring all the essential tools? By looking at different build sites, Van's site, etc, most of the required tools listed are the same. I would consider going ahead and ordering a -8 empennage kit this fall and starting it in my garage, with plans to build a real shop out back when taxes come back in the spring. Alas, I'm afraid the expense of tools is going to far surpass the cost of the empennage kit. I'm really starting with none of the bare essentials I know I will need, such as a good compressor, etc. A few sites, such as THIS ONE offer these bundles of tools, but at $2500, that will definitely be over what I can afford to put into this project this year. I suspect I can get many of these items from Horrible Freight, but as most of you know, you get what you pay for when it comes to tools.
Thanks for opinions/suggestions.
-Brad
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07-28-2010, 08:15 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 2,116
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Got my toolkit from http://planetools.com/ . Tools were great, and after-purchase support from Isham was fantastic. Highly recommended.
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Phil
RV9A (SB)
Flying since July 2010!
Ottawa, Canada
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07-28-2010, 09:47 AM
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 39
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Buy 'em used
I have been buying tools off this list. I got what essentially amounted to a complete kit for $800. All it lacked was a drill and a few odds and ends. Just jump on a post when you see it, 'cause the good deals go quickly.
__________________
Joe Pringle
Paid =VAF= dues through 2013
First Solo June 5, 2012. Plugging away on my Private license.
RV 7 Preview Plans in Hand (although I'm strongly considering the 14)
Sport Air Sheet Metal Workshop Completed
RV tools acquired. Practice airfoil completed.
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07-28-2010, 10:51 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Garden City, Tx
Posts: 5,145
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Yep - I bought most of my aircraft-specific tools in a package from another builder who was done with them, just watch the classifieds here and be ready to move fast - they don't last long.
__________________
Greg Niehues - SEL, IFR, Repairman Cert.
Garden City, TX VAF 2020 dues paid 
N16GN flying 700 hrs and counting; IO360, SDS, WWRV200, Dynon HDX, 430W
Built an off-plan RV9A with too much fuel and too much HP. Should drop dead any minute now.
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07-28-2010, 11:06 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 2,089
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The kit from Brown Tool is pretty complete and will definately get you up and running for a budget price. As you go there will be some additional items you will want, but those aren't required. One note, their kit does not include a drilled-hole deburring tool, so be sure to add one.
On top of that, some basic had tools like wrenches, hacksaw, clamps, rat-tail files should do. A drill press, compressor, and large vice are all the large tools you should have. You can also use the drill press to mount the deburring wheel so a bench grinder is not required. I recommend getting a good combination bench belt / disk sander, it will be a big time saver.
The CP drill that comes with the brown kit works great, as does the supplied rivet gun. The kit also includes the Avery c-frame dimpler so you are covered there also. Tools like a pneumantic squeezer and DRDT-2 are handy, but not required. In fact, I have a DRDT-2, but almost never use it since I like the c-frame better.
__________________
Colin P.
RV-6A #20603
Complete 5/10/19
PP SEL / A&P
I donate every year on my B-Day (in Dec), but donated early in Sep'19.
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07-28-2010, 11:34 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
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I bought the Avery kit and did a bit of customization. Deleted a bunch of tools I didn't need and added some others that I wanted. Definitely get a tungsten bucking bar and a pneumatic squeezer with a variety of yokes and the adjustable set. They did the standard discount on the kit even though it was a unique set of tools. No matter what you get now, you will still need to buy more tools as you build. I have lots of Harbor Freight stuff along with the quality stuff.
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07-28-2010, 11:37 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Collinsville, IL
Posts: 620
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wellsheit
For the first time builder, how do you guys recommend acquiring all the essential tools? By looking at different build sites, Van's site, etc, most of the required tools listed are the same. I would consider going ahead and ordering a -8 empennage kit this fall and starting it in my garage, with plans to build a real shop out back when taxes come back in the spring. Alas, I'm afraid the expense of tools is going to far surpass the cost of the empennage kit. I'm really starting with none of the bare essentials I know I will need, such as a good compressor, etc. A few sites, such as THIS ONE offer these bundles of tools, but at $2500, that will definitely be over what I can afford to put into this project this year. I suspect I can get many of these items from Horrible Freight, but as most of you know, you get what you pay for when it comes to tools.
Thanks for opinions/suggestions.
-Brad
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Your best tool at this point is probably the search button on this site. There are many hours of reading on aquiring tools with very little change in technology or vendors. And just a thought, if $2500 for tools scares you now, you may not be ready to tackle a project like this. The tool I would recommend to start with is a financial plan and a budget.
Good Luck!
__________________
Don
VAF #1100, EAA864
-6A bought flying
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07-28-2010, 12:35 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 9
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Thanks for suggestions. I will check out a few more of these bundles.
The $2500 does not scare me. I'm finally settled into my new home and can finally begin devoting my resources to this project. My financial layout has me starting with the empennage around this time next year. Yet I'm scratching for any means to get a head start and get going. Fully prepared to put 60k+ in this build over the next 5 years. With that being said, if I can get the tools for a better deal, you can bet a nickel I'll take the better deal!
Thanks again.
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07-28-2010, 01:50 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,686
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Avery
I went with Avery. That kit has been pretty complete for me. The biggest omission is the lack of reamers, IMHO. Some other nice things are pneumatic squeezer for those -4 rivets (me and a friend went in on a used one so I have 1/4 of the retail price in mine.)
A couple of cheap add-ons:
Permagrit for fiberglass and drill 'cups', nut sure of the name but helps you drill a hole that is square to the surface for #40 and #30 drills.
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07-28-2010, 02:00 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 860
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RV Tool Kits Suggestions
I bought all my tools new and I am glad I did, because I like using good shiny new tools. And as you observed, you can pay more for a set of tools to build the empennage than the empennage kit is worth.
However, if your startup budget is small, then you need to get creative. Once you know the kind of tools you want, by all means try to buy used. This applies to compressors, drill press, bench grinder, and the various air and hand tools that you need. Try the new machinery dealers in your area, quite often they take trades of used machinery (compressors, drill press etc.). Also try your local airport for aircraft (or missile?) maintenance or fabrication shops and see if they are selling off used air or hand tools. Sometimes these tools are controlled by a tool crib, sometimes they are owned by individuals, you just have to ask lots of questions. For example, Boeing in Seattle has a surplus sales outlet and they sell all kinds of stuff, some of it actually useful if you know what you're looking for. It's about a 3 hour drive from my house, so it is possible to get there and back in a day. Also some deals available on eBay.
Be aware that building an airplane is really an excuse to buy tools, you'll be buying them throughout the project. But the startup set is probably the biggest drain on your tool budget.
I would rather buy quality used (but not worn out) tools than new cheap offshore manufactured tools. My main watchword when buying tools is: can you buy spare parts for them if you break something.
Finally on rivet guns, buy the best quality one(s) (new or used) you can afford, you'll be using them a lot. I started with a 2x gun and found it wasn't enough to drive 1/8" rivets properly and ended up buying a 3x gun which was a revelation in how much more energy it put out. Look for something that has an anti-vibration feature (counter piston inside) as riveting is hard on your hands/wrists/forearms.
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