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09-29-2011, 04:25 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Smithfield, UT
Posts: 41
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Absolute minimum tools require for working on empennage kit
Hey all...I was just wondering what your thoughts were on the absolute minimum required tools for starting and completing the empannage kit. I have searched and I did find one thread, but it really just pointed to the "bare bones" tool kits made up by the tool supply guys. Nothing against them, just don't have that kind of money to invest in tools right now.
Thanks in advance for your help
__________________
Milton Stephenson
Smithfield, UT
Husband and Father of 4
RV-7 and RV-8 Preview Plans
Instrument Rating - Complete!!!!
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09-29-2011, 04:35 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Huskerland, USA
Posts: 5,862
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Kinda like saying what is the least sexy woman you would go out with.
It's tools man! You cannot have enough tools! You want the most, and the best tools you can get, not afford!
Seriously, don't skimp on tools. Buy the best and you can sell tthem when you are done and get most of your money back.
__________________
RV-7 : In the hangar
RV-10 : In the hangar
RV-12 : Built and sold
RV-44 : 4 place helicopter on order.
Last edited by Geico266 : 09-29-2011 at 06:33 PM.
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09-29-2011, 06:00 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Smithfield, UT
Posts: 41
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Too many tools? No way!
Larry thanks, and I agree wholeheartedly that you can never have enough tools. I wasn't asking about the cheapest tools. I have a Harbor Freight in town...if I wanted the cheapest, I already know where to go. I was simply asking what tools must I absolutely have to build and complete the tail kit of an RV of my choosing. Of course this limits me to a pre-punched kit, and I'm totally okay with that. I don't want to tackle the -3 until I've gotten my feet wet with a -7, or -8.
__________________
Milton Stephenson
Smithfield, UT
Husband and Father of 4
RV-7 and RV-8 Preview Plans
Instrument Rating - Complete!!!!
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09-29-2011, 06:06 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Bonney Lake, WA
Posts: 295
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I got the Cleaveland beginner set and ended up having to buy even more tools to satisfactorily finish the emp kit. Mainly more sizes of drill bits, also a Vixen file, appropriate range torque wrench, and some other stuff. I do use a cordless electric drill versus the air drill, so that could have been omitted. The tail kit is small but you do use the same processes as the rest of the structure, so start collecting tools now.
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Ryan Winslow
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09-29-2011, 06:13 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Utah
Posts: 8,151
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Quote:
Originally Posted by milt1492
I was just wondering what your thoughts were on the absolute minimum required tools for starting and completing the empannage kit.
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Plan around $600 (Avery prices) plus source of compressed air. You probably already have high speed electric drill. All expendables ie sanding paper, files, clamps etc you can get from local hardware store. Have fun building the tail! The most memorable part in whole airplane.
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09-29-2011, 06:29 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SFO Approach
Posts: 204
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As far as getting started goes, I can offer some insight here as I just started my empennage a week ago.
-#30, 40, 21, 19, 12 Drill bits (MUST)
-Drill (Air or otherwise)
-Deburring tool
-Sand Paper (good enough for deburring edges)
-Clamps
-Clecos (see vans recommendations)
-Cleco Pliers
-Protractor
-Vise
-File Set
-Sharpie fine point
That's had me going for a week now.
If you're just looking to get started, that's all you need. As far as finishing goes, that's another story. Once you start on the skins, you need riveting tools, air compressor, dimpler, dimple dies, rivet removing tools, etc...
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09-29-2011, 06:37 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Ramona, CA
Posts: 2,370
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If you are hesitant about spending money on tools now, and expect to end up with a flying airplane, you picked the wrong hobby!
Seriously, now that I'm deep into the finish kit and looking at buying avionics, engine, and prop, the initial shell out for the 4 kits and tools is peanuts. Get realistic about your cash flow and if $1000 extra now is too much for some tools you better rethink this tail kit. Trust me, if you enjoy building -- and the tail kit is fun to build, your addiction will be in full force.
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09-29-2011, 07:34 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: South Carolina
Posts: 659
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Tools
Probably the best bet would be to save up enough to buy one of the many supplier's tool kits. There is a fair amount of savings when all of the tools are purchased together. I expect you will, more than likely, buy more tools after you get the initial tool kit because the kits don't carry everything.
Everything I have purchased for my RV-9 has been a cash-on-hand process. Nothing has been financed. I build while I'm saving. I've had two layoffs that stopped production and now my daughter has decided she should get married!!! 
__________________
"Pilots: Looking down on people since 1903"
(author unknown)
RV-9, N556RM, O-320, Dual PMags, Catto 3 blade.
FLYING since 2018
Mosquito XEL ready for flight
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09-29-2011, 08:01 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Huskerland, USA
Posts: 5,862
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert M
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No problem! Just make sure the future son in law can buck rivets and likes to fly. If not tell your daughter to keep looking! 
__________________
RV-7 : In the hangar
RV-10 : In the hangar
RV-12 : Built and sold
RV-44 : 4 place helicopter on order.
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09-29-2011, 08:06 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia, QLD
Posts: 41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Echo Tango
As far as getting started goes, I can offer some insight here as I just started my empennage a week ago.
-#30, 40, 21, 19, 12 Drill bits (MUST)
-Drill (Air or otherwise)
-Deburring tool
-Sand Paper (good enough for deburring edges)
-Clamps
-Clecos (see vans recommendations)
-Cleco Pliers
-Protractor
-Vise
-File Set
-Sharpie fine point
That's had me going for a week now.
If you're just looking to get started, that's all you need. As far as finishing goes, that's another story. Once you start on the skins, you need riveting tools, air compressor, dimpler, dimple dies, rivet removing tools, etc...
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this is a good start.
and remember to have fun. poor man pays twice but at least we still get there.
__________________
Justin (JAY)
RV7 #72135
Under construction
Australia, QLD
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