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  #1  
Old 12-15-2010, 05:53 PM
Dave Bernard's Avatar
Dave Bernard Dave Bernard is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SLC UT
Posts: 68
Default New '8 builder with a question

Hey All,

Long Time Lurker, First time poster!

I'm going to be starting an '8 kit in the next month or so, and have a question about the shop I'll be building in. It is not climate controlled and Alamosa CO gets COLD! (7500' MSL) I plan to work mostly during the day when it warms up in there, but I'm concerned if putting this thing together over a huge range of temperatures will affect the quality of the build.

Obviously aluminum aircraft operate over a wide range of temperatures every day, but my concern is- is everything gonna line up right if one day I drill at 30F and another day I rivet at 60F?

Thanks in advance guys, this site is one of the reasons I chose to build an RV, and yes I plan on donating but let me get the kit first at least ok?!

DB
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  #2  
Old 12-15-2010, 06:10 PM
scsmith scsmith is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Ashland, OR
Posts: 2,573
Default It all grows and shrinks together

Hi,

welcome to the forum.

As the temperature of all the parts changes, everything is aluminum, so it will all grow and shrink together.

Where you would have a problem is if some of the parts just came from indoors and may be at a different temperature. Just wait for everything to equalize.

Enjoy the build! You know where to go for help
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  #3  
Old 12-15-2010, 06:15 PM
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panhandler1956 panhandler1956 is offline
 
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Location: Ohio
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Default

The only thing you need to be concerned with is the canopy. This needs to be done as warm as possible to avoid cracks while you are working with it. Outside of that most things don't care about temps.

PS If you prime that may drive a requirement for certain temps for application. I have rattle can primed with 7220 down to 20f with the only side affect being longer dry times.

Enjoy your build!
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EAA Chapter 9 Tech Counselor/Flight Advisor
Columbus, OH
RV-8 'Contrary Mary' flying
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Last edited by panhandler1956 : 12-15-2010 at 06:18 PM. Reason: Added primer
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  #4  
Old 12-15-2010, 06:19 PM
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Mike S Mike S is offline
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Location: Dayton Airpark, NV A34
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Default Welcome to VAF!!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Bernard View Post
Hey All,

Long Time Lurker, First time poster!


DB
Dave welcome to VAF----good to have you here, good choice on the 8.

Enjoy the build.
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Rv-10, N210LM.

Flying as of 12/4/2010

Phase 1 done, 2/4/2011

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  #5  
Old 12-15-2010, 06:25 PM
Sig600 Sig600 is offline
 
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Location: KRTS
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by panhandler1956 View Post
The only thing you need to be concerned with is the canopy. This needs to be done as warm as possible to avoid cracks while you are working with it. Outside of that most things don't care about temps.

PS If you prime that may drive a requirement for certain temps for application. I have rattle can primed with 7220 down to 20f with the only side affect being longer dry times.

Enjoy your build!

And fiberglass stuff. Was going to work on the empennage tips until I read through some of the material. Now waiting for summer.
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  #6  
Old 12-15-2010, 06:27 PM
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Dave Bernard Dave Bernard is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: SLC UT
Posts: 68
Default

Thanks for the quick info guys!

Quote:
Originally Posted by panhandler1956 View Post
The only thing you need to be concerned with is the canopy. This needs to be done as warm as possible to avoid cracks while you are working with it. Outside of that most things don't care about temps.

PS If you prime that may drive a requirement for certain temps for application. I have rattle can primed with 7220 down to 20f with the only side affect being longer dry times.

Enjoy your build!
Thanks Brent, you may remember me from comp. recurrent a few years ago when I was asking you about the RV- I'm a 495er now, luckily employed!

DB
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  #7  
Old 12-15-2010, 07:30 PM
Bill Dicus Bill Dicus is offline
 
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Location: Shorewood, WI (Milwaukee area)
Posts: 1,066
Default Cold temps!

We're building in Wisconsin where temps get quite low (3 degrees F now). Put 2 inch styrofoam on our 2 car garage walls and covered with Visqueen (?sp). Insulated door with fiberglass batts. One 1500 watt heater keeps space workable down to about 20 degrees and two make it very pleasant at low ambient temps. Cost is low. Although temp varies as much as 15 degrees day to day we've had no dimensional problems. Hope that helps. P.S. Temp refers to that in garage; outside it's more variable!
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Last edited by Bill Dicus : 12-15-2010 at 07:33 PM. Reason: Addition
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  #8  
Old 12-16-2010, 02:06 AM
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BSwayze BSwayze is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Molalla, Oregon
Posts: 955
Default

Dave,

IMHO, your personal comfort is more of an issue than the aluminum question you raised. I put together a discussion about my experience making my shop a much more comfortable place to work in, on my website here:

Shop Heaters

I realized a long time ago that if you're going to build an airplane, or do anything that requires a lot of hours in the shop, you have to have an environment that's suitable. The bottom line for me is, if I'm not comfortable, it's not very motivating and I can lose my drive and enthusiasm very quickly. Nothing will sap the energy and enthusiasm out of me more quickly than being cold. So I began looking for a suitable heater to warm it up on those cold days in winter. We don't have the low temps here that you experience in Colorado or Wisconsin, so I would think this is even more important for you than it is for me. Take a look at my experience and see if it helps you. I can tell you from my experience that it's well worth it to seal up your shop, insulate it where necessary, and get a good heater and/or some air circulation going in there. You'll thank me later.

Good luck starting on your project!
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  #9  
Old 12-16-2010, 02:31 AM
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panhandler1956 panhandler1956 is offline
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,686
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Bernard View Post


Thanks Brent, you may remember me from comp. recurrent a few years ago when I was asking you about the RV- I'm a 495er now, luckily employed!

DB
Dave,
Yeah I remember now. Good to see you're working and moving forward with the RV! Let me know if you need anything!
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RV-8 'Contrary Mary' flying
N784DE S/N #82614

www.fixedwingbuddha.com
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