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  #11  
Old 10-25-2010, 08:55 AM
flybill7 flybill7 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Severna Park, Maryland
Posts: 446
Default Tools

I used Cleaveland Tools to build my 7 and was very happy with the quality and service.
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  #12  
Old 10-25-2010, 08:58 AM
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eric_marsh eric_marsh is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Lockhart, TX
Posts: 206
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I have several catalogs and since I'm on a tight budget I price shop a lot. I've had good service from all of them.
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  #13  
Old 10-25-2010, 09:29 AM
Pat Stewart Pat Stewart is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Granbury Texas
Posts: 1,136
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I have used Avery for over 10 years. Bob is an RV builder and attends most of the major RV functions. They support LOE with raffle prizes and will help you with anything he can. You will not be sorry using Avery.

Pat
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  #14  
Old 10-25-2010, 10:03 AM
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bruceh bruceh is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
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I've bought from both Avery and Cleaveland a variety of tools. Don't forget to leverage the cheaper alternatives when the tool isn't specialized towards airplane building - Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.
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  #15  
Old 10-25-2010, 10:20 AM
RVNineA RVNineA is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 66
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I've bought just about everything from either Avery or Cleaveland. I think that they are both excellent businesses to deal with.
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  #16  
Old 10-26-2010, 07:53 AM
CDBridgesRV7A CDBridgesRV7A is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Berwick, Nova Scotia, Canada
Posts: 83
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Thanks everyone for the replies. Much appreciated!! I've been browsing the Vans Airforce Classifieds for tools, but alas they are sold by the time I get around to seeing the post. No big deal as I'm not ready to by tools at the moment.

The DRDT-2 dimpler and pneumatic squeezer that is offered by Planes Tools, is it in fact better than the ones offered by Avery, Brown or Cleveland tool kit? I may do as other builders have and by from all the tool manufacturers.

Many Thanks

Chris
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  #17  
Old 10-26-2010, 08:28 AM
txnbuilder txnbuilder is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 66
Default Hmm..don't buy a kit?

Rather than buying a kit, I picked and chose what I wanted from Avery, BrownTool and The Yard. By doing this I was able to get pretty much everything in the 'standard kits', PLUS a used pneumatic squeezer ('Used' as in "..was probably used to build B52's!..")

Here is my take on the vendors I have experience with:

The Yard (www.yardstore.com) -- Great for used tools at good prices (bought my squeezer from them)

BrownTool - New tools (especially during sales!) and most 'off the shelf' bits and pieces (drill bits, abrasives, dies, hand tools, etc). Sometimes they will also have used tools on sale (such as a pneumatic 90 degree drill, probably just as old as my squeezer). I bought most of my clecos from them because they have free shipping on orders over $95

Avery -- Somewhat higher-priced, but any 'custom' tool they make is well worth the money. Their vice-grip based tools (seaming pliers, dimplers) are a must-have, and their back-riveting plate is a work of art. For those of us in Texas, they also have the advantage that UPS ground will usually deliver my order within 1 day.

As far as support, I've had product 'issues' with stuff bought at all three places, and it has alway been a very positive experience.

By the way, at some point during your build, you will feel the urge to buy tools from Harbor Freight. Unless said tool is a screwdriver you plan to use once, my advice would be to stay away .
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  #18  
Old 10-26-2010, 08:33 AM
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clevtool clevtool is offline
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Boone, Iowa
Posts: 342
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Don't forget Cleaveland Tool!

http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/p...umber=COMPKITW
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  #19  
Old 10-26-2010, 09:07 AM
michael_c michael_c is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Chicago, il
Posts: 27
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Cleaveland is great and has been very flexible. I got the bulk of my tools from them - started with one of their kits, removed the rivet gun and modified a handful of other bits. (nothing wrong with their gun, I just learned with a Chicago Pneumatic and so that's what I wanted - got it from Brown) They got everything right and have been hassle free with exchanges and such as I learned exactly what I wanted once I got the initial delivery.

But like others, I've ended up with a mix of tools from several vendors. And each vendor I bought from - ATS, Avery, Brown, and Cleaveland has been great. Whoever you go with, don't let web sites limit you. Give them a call and talk to someone since they are all more capable and flexible than their sites. They are also all very quick to put a tech on hand help you work through things.
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  #20  
Old 10-26-2010, 09:17 AM
bkthomps bkthomps is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Destin
Posts: 1,543
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you will end up ordering from all of them, i have yet to see a comprehensive tool kit unless you are speaking of an estate sale post or something

you'll spend anywhere from $200-$500 a month for a while on tools
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