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02-21-2012, 10:12 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Near Scipio, in Southern Indiana
Posts: 1,779
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Small (bagged) parts storage
One of the problems we came to realize during our Eagle's Nest build was the difficulty in finding small parts. Our initial storage system had been a little haphazard, using a combination of methods. Bins would migrate among the builders, and things became difficult to find. Also, as sub-kits were added, we might end up with two bins for the same part number. Finding an empty bin, we might think we were out, when in fact other parts were available. Clearly, our problems were more than a single builder might experience.
We put many hours (actually weeks) of work and study into this problem, and believe we have an answer. It involves five compartmented boxes (Thanks Flambeau Mfg. for your help) and a labeling system that should take us from the emp kit through avionics.
Eagle's Nest Two will be the test bed here. They will start with this system. We have decided to see if there is interest in making the system available to the general RV-12 building public. It will be around $90 (not finalized as yet) and will contain all the labels, boxes, and instructions. It would be marketed through a respected RV tool supplier.
First, does this sound like something you would purchase? And secondly, we would like one other tester out there, someone who is just starting (or will soon start) an RV-12 build. Comments and corrections would be your only cost, just like any beta tester. Let me know of your interest.
Bob Kelly
Founder, Eagle's Nest
__________________
Bob Kelly, Scipio, Indiana
Tech Counselor
Founder, Eagle's Nest Projects
President, AviationNation, Inc
RV-9A N908BL, Flying
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02-21-2012, 12:02 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Riley TWP MI
Posts: 3,070
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If I were to build another airplane, I would definitely take the time to store each part in a unique labeled location and to make a spreadsheet capable of searching for part numbers and locations. Then when I want a part, I could type the part number into the computer and it would tell me which cabinet and drawer to look in. The time spent organizing the parts would have been made up many times over by spending less time searching for parts. I wasted hours and hours looking for parts.
Bob Kelly, does your system include the ability to search for parts using a computer spreadsheet? The spreadsheet could also keep track of plans page number and quantity of parts used for that step.
Another option would be to sell this parts-organizing system to Van's Aircraft. They could ship the five compartmentalized boxes already filled with parts along with the kit . The builder's job of inventorying would then be as simple as opening each drawer and counting the parts to make sure that the quantity agrees with that printed on the label.
The paper bag system of inventorying and storage leaves a lot to be desired and has caused builder frustration.
Keep up the good work, Bob.
Joe Gores
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02-21-2012, 12:07 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Posts: 427
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I'm not a candidate for your beta test, Bob, because I'm not building a -12. But I am finally starting my project and have been looking into this same problem as I have parts from three different kits on hand. Is your system flexible enough to cover the other RV models?
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Stephen
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02-21-2012, 12:26 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 1,967
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Off the shelf solution..
For my build, I used an "off-the-shelf" solution instead of the little bags.
http://www.mykitlog.com/users/displa...g=128282&row=1
Clear storage bins that fit in a carry case (Stanley brand). The little yellow bins come out individually and the cases prevent travel between bins. They also come in large, deep sizes which are good for clecos and other larger parts. To mark the bins, I use a labeler, which also prints on heat shrink tube (to be used later for electrical). The lids of the cases are clear so I can see the labels without opening the cases. They are organized by part type (i.e. flush, pop, universal rivets, nuts, bolts, etc.). The cases are stackable and all the bins are interchangeable, so I could easily put together a case for a particular section of the plans, if desired.
However, it took some time to organize this way, so you might have a good idea... My $0.02.
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02-21-2012, 12:54 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 93
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+1 on the computer spreadsheet idea
__________________
Ross Porter
A&P Mechanic, Republic Airways
Indiana
First Generation Eagles Nest/Aviation Nation RV-12 Builder/Pilot
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02-21-2012, 02:03 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: La Feria Texas
Posts: 3,822
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I put the bags in a wall bin arrangement, with a cheat sheet to tell me quickly where the bag was. I did not like it.
I then later changed and sorted the pieces by type. Usually I found I was looking for a specific bolt or washer by number, that system worked far better, I wish I had done that from the beginning. Of course I was a bit different, I ordered ALL the kits at once, hence far more bags to sort thru. I just found I was spending far too much time looking for a specific bag, when what I REALLY was looking for was a specific rivet. I found this to be paticularly true with rivets, nuts, screws and washers, to keep them separate I used the clear plastic boxe with compartments..
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02-21-2012, 02:38 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Stow MA
Posts: 174
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+1 for Stanley
I use the same Stanley bins as Mike. I was getting by with three of them until my fuse kit arrived. Now I have five:
1 Rivets
2 Screws and washers
3 Nuts and nutplates
4 Bushings, bearings, and clamps
5 AN bolts and misc hardware
Being able to rearrange and reorganize parts, and to take individual bins with me to wherever I'm working, is great.
I label the bins with a Sharpie and then clean with alcohol and re-label as necessary.
Works great for me.
__________________
Ken
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02-21-2012, 05:46 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Near Scipio, in Southern Indiana
Posts: 1,779
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Thanks for the nice replies! I'll answer a question or two. First, no, it wouldn't work for another model without a lot of modification. The whole key seems to me to be specific enough to find a part number by locating the cell. To get the parts into the right cell, each cell has a bag number (or numbers) attached to it. Bag numbers vary from model to model. It would take as much work as the RV-12 system has taken. I started with an up-to-date list of bagged items from Van's.
The wall mount idea won't work for us as we put things up after every session. Things on a wall might disappear. Not all the students in the school have total respect...
Also we want to keep the cells in one location as several people may need parts. If one takes the cell, the other can't find it.
On the spreadsheet idea, this is great! I was just about to do this by hand, listing part numbers in a logical order, and cross referencing to a cell number. The spreadsheet would do that easier. THANKS!
We are using boxes that are about 12 X 18", 2 1/4" deep. One can have up to 32 cells, all equal size or double or triple size. The other has 12 or so of variable sizes. This seems to offer a lot of flexibility. We haven't figured out how the engine and avionics kits will fit into this, but will soon. Our engine will be here in a week or so.
It is nice to see there is interest here. I really believe it could save a huge amount of time during a build.
Bob
__________________
Bob Kelly, Scipio, Indiana
Tech Counselor
Founder, Eagle's Nest Projects
President, AviationNation, Inc
RV-9A N908BL, Flying
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02-21-2012, 06:36 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 775
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Bob
Add one more who would be interested.
John
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02-21-2012, 07:00 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 4,435
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Seems to me that parts ought to be sorted by part number and not kept in their bags. Then when the plans call out a part number, you simply go to the bins, which could be organized alphabetically, and find it. No spreadsheet needed.
And having a vendor sell a line of bins and labels is a really good idea. Of course each model and every option would need its own set, but that's what computers are for.
And if Van's packed their hardware in such bins, with labels, that would be worth some extra money for sure.
Dave
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