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06-02-2013, 02:38 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 25
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preview plans ordered RV-7
Well this is my first step towards my build. Ordered the preview plans for the rv7 today. The journey has already began though. So much planning, garage to set up, etc, etc.
So, once I do order the empennage, are the plans that come with it really that bad or out of wack? I have read where the plans forget stuff or you really cant tell what order stuff goes in. I'm sure I'll be able to figure it out. If not, I have you guys! haha
See you guys around!
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06-02-2013, 03:52 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Molalla, Oregon
Posts: 955
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The empennage plans are good. They provide a lot of detail and information at first. You just check the boxes off as you go from step to step. It's pretty easy, really. Later sub-kits are less detailed, assuming that you already know the basics that need to be done along the way. Be sure to read chapter 5 in your manual and learn all you can about the methods used, and why they're important.
Also, I didn't attend one myself, but you can go to a workshop where you learn the basic skills and get a lot of practice. Good luck, and have fun! 
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06-02-2013, 05:40 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 1,002
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I recall buying my preview plans several years ago and I was still on the fence. I am now working on the wings. I am going very, very slowly, but I enjoy the process. Don't get in a rush and enjoy your build.
The plans are very good in my opinion and I haven't had any problems of things not being included. It does happen (I would say it is rare), nothing is perfect, but Vans is great to work with when it does.
By the way, Bruce has a website (and many others) that I use for a reference when I get stumped or need motivation. Good luck.
Last edited by blueflyer : 06-02-2013 at 05:44 AM.
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06-02-2013, 05:41 AM
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Shreveport, LA
Posts: 1,002
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mods, accidental double post, please delete.
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06-04-2013, 12:17 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 25
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BSwayze, I spent many hours last night reading through your detailed log of your build, I'm truly impressed. I really can't wait to get my feet wet.. Yet I can't just get my feet wet.. I'm gonna sink at first!
Right now I'm trying to decide on how I should go about getting the necessary tools to start out with. Not sure if I should go with one of the rivet kits or piece it out. I know I'll only be able to have a compressor no bigger than 20 gallons. And I will be working out of a one car garage. A buddy at work said he'll be more than happy to meet me at the local Home Depot/lowes so I can do some shopping for lumber to build my work bench.. Which that also leads me to what size of bench would be adequate? So many questions.. **** Noob!
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06-04-2013, 03:09 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 176
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This is what I built...
http://www.eaa1000.av.org/technicl/w...l/worktabl.htm
I built two tables. One of them I doubled the length of the table.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ColbyS
BSwayze, I spent many hours last night reading through your detailed log of your build, I'm truly impressed. I really can't wait to get my feet wet.. Yet I can't just get my feet wet.. I'm gonna sink at first!
Right now I'm trying to decide on how I should go about getting the necessary tools to start out with. Not sure if I should go with one of the rivet kits or piece it out. I know I'll only be able to have a compressor no bigger than 20 gallons. And I will be working out of a one car garage. A buddy at work said he'll be more than happy to meet me at the local Home Depot/lowes so I can do some shopping for lumber to build my work bench.. Which that also leads me to what size of bench would be adequate? So many questions.. **** Noob!
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__________________
David Taylor
RV-7 N207DT
Wings
Warner Robins, GA
"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually fearing you will make one. "
Elbert Hubbard
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06-04-2013, 03:38 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Omaha, NE (KMLE)
Posts: 2,247
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ColbyS
Which that also leads me to what size of bench would be adequate?
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I was fortunate that the guy I bought my kit from (empennage done. wings partially done) also needed to get a very well built 3' x 8' work bench out of his way. It's been priceless. I have not needed something bigger so far, but if I were in a 1-car garage I'd probably want it a little shorter. Or build two that you can put together when you need a long one.
Quote:
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So many questions.. **** Noob!
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Yeah, been there, still doing that. 
__________________
Dale
Omaha, NE
RV-12 # 222 N980KM "Screamin' Canary" (bought flying)
Fisher Celebrity (under construction)
Previous RV-7 project (sold)
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06-04-2013, 08:40 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Estes Park, CO
Posts: 3,947
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EAA tables
Here's my list...
The kits come with full size 24"x 36" plans. They are very complete. I took two poster frames and place two plans facing out with clear on both sides. The manual is also very good.b
Always use the VAF search before building a part. Learn from the experts here first.
O+1 on the EAA benches. I really like them because
end to end, they make one 10' bench. Side by side, they work great for big things.
However, I made a few mods.
I used 1/2" ply for the bottom shelf so it would hold more weight. I took the leftovers and build another similar bench for all my electric tools. The shelf under it serves as storage for the bending brakes, cleco containers and wood blocks.
Aside from the standard tool set, here are a few extras.
I highly recommend a tungsten bucking bar and a pneumatic squeezer with a few yokes.
A 4x4 piece if melamine or particle board is very useful. I cut it into two 2x4 pieces and use it often to cleco stiffeners to skins for assembly.
A 6' piece of 2" aluminum angle is very useful.
A 3/4" x 6' piece of galvanized pipe is useful for shaping leading edges.
I use bicycle hooks and 1-1/2" webbing strap to hang completed components.Gorilla tape is great for all sorts of things.
Book tape makes great rivet tape.
Maroon scotch brite pads. Lots of them.
Roloc pads for a grinder are handy.
6"x 1" scotch brite wheel on a grinder is used daily.
Good drill bits. Extra #40 and #30.
At least two countersink cages. One for #40. One for #30.
Harbor Fright mini electronic scale.
Rolls of blue shop paper towels.
Nitrile gloves.
Shop vacuum.
__________________
Larry Larson
Estes Park, CO
http://wirejockrv7a.blogspot.com
wirejock at yahoo dot com
Donated 12/03/2019, plus a little extra.
RV-7A #73391, N511RV reserved (2,000+ hours)
HS SB, empennage, tanks, wings, fuse, working finishing kit
Disclaimer
I cannot be, nor will I be, held responsible if you try to do the same things I do and it does not work and/or causes you loss, injury, or even death in the process.
Last edited by wirejock : 06-04-2013 at 08:55 PM.
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06-05-2013, 10:47 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Honolulu
Posts: 25
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Alright. I just got home, sat down to eat some food and I hear the front door open and then the door bell.. It was like a little kid jumping up and out of his couch and running to the door to open it. Low and behold! A package!
My preview plans.
I opened her up and starting reading through it. Lots of good info. Thanks Van's for the fast shipping! (3 days, over 2K miles)
Alright so the Instructions, it says to edge this part, rivet here.. then cleco this.. so on and so on. The question is, when I receive the Empennage, Does the kit come with instructions like so? Or do I refer back to the Preview Plan Book for which step to do first?
I am overwhelmed already! hahah I'm sure I'll do fine. Just got to try and plan every step. What do they say here? Plan two steps ahead? Lets put this in house construction terms. I don't want to build the 2x4 wall framing, put the insulation in and then drywall it before I run the electrical.
These preview plans do make me motivated, hope it's not short lived.
The waiver & release of liability form in the plans. I must fill that out and send it in with my first order? Or can I go ahead and order the Empennage?
So many questions.. yet again Thanks ahead of time!
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06-05-2013, 11:16 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: 45G, Brighton, MI
Posts: 1,867
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ColbyS
...
Alright so the Instructions, it says to edge this part, rivet here.. then cleco this.. so on and so on. The question is, when I receive the Empennage, Does the kit come with instructions like so? Or do I refer back to the Preview Plan Book for which step to do first? ...
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Colby,
Each individual kit will come with a set of full size plans sheets for that kit, plus the latest version of the manual chapter for that kit, which may or may not be the same version as what you received in the preview plans.
You'll find the empennage chapter to be very detailed, the wings chapter a bit less so, and the fuselage chapter somewhat better than "refer to the plans and build it".  Fortunately the less detailed fuselage manual is accompanied by plans that contain quite a bit more detail and notes that the previous kits.
Welcome to the adventure!
__________________
Miles (VAF# 1238, Paid up as of 2018)
RV-7 TU 904KM (reserved)
Wings Fitted and Finish Kit on site
Construction Log
Picasa: Empennage Album, Wings Album, Fuselage Album
1955 Cessna 170B flying since 1982
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' -Unk.
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