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  #11  
Old 01-31-2015, 07:28 AM
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Lets not mislead the newbies by making it seem simpler than it really is. The kit comes with 12,500 LP4-3 rivets and you will probably have to order some more, at least I did.
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Originally Posted by RFSchaller View Post
Maybe I'm a pencil neck, but I didn't want to pull 10.000 blind rivets by hand, so I got a pneumatic puller.

Reminds me of an old sea story from my submarine days where the punchline was: the difference between man and apes --- a man can use tools! ������
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  #12  
Old 01-31-2015, 07:39 AM
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Also get a small 1.5 to 2 inch diameter scotchbrite wheel that chucks into your drill. Using that and a leather glove, it is the ideal way to debur the edges of all the large skin pieces.
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  #13  
Old 01-31-2015, 08:03 AM
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I got a $5 dial micrometer set in the bargain bin at Harbor Freight that proved useful a few times.

One of your most important TOOLS is this. Buy 4 briefcase size plastic sorting bins - Harbor Freight or a big box store. The kind that close like a briefcase and contain many individual compartments or removable bins. Inventory your bags of small parts and put each different part into a compartment labelled with its PART NUMBER. Do not mix parts in the same bin that are the same "thing" - like different size nutplates. You can mix different "things" like one size of nutplate and one size of cotter pin.

This method will save you HOURS.
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  #14  
Old 01-31-2015, 08:14 AM
waterboy2110 waterboy2110 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DonFromTX View Post
Lets not mislead the newbies by making it seem simpler than it really is. The kit comes with 12,500 LP4-3 rivets and you will probably have to order some more, at least I did.
I wouldn't even think of taking this on without a pneumatic puller. A good hand puller is also nice to have. The one with the swivel head from ATS works really well. Also, HF is a great source for tools. No need to pay more than you have to for something you may never use after the project.
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  #15  
Old 01-31-2015, 09:42 AM
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Give this some serious thought. I did NOT do it until almost done, as said, would have saved me many, many hours on the build. I highly recommend this.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill_H View Post
I got a $5 dial micrometer set in the bargain bin at Harbor Freight that proved useful a few times.

One of your most important TOOLS is this. Buy 4 briefcase size plastic sorting bins - Harbor Freight or a big box store. The kind that close like a briefcase and contain many individual compartments or removable bins. Inventory your bags of small parts and put each different part into a compartment labelled with its PART NUMBER. Do not mix parts in the same bin that are the same "thing" - like different size nutplates. You can mix different "things" like one size of nutplate and one size of cotter pin.

This method will save you HOURS.
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  #16  
Old 01-31-2015, 09:51 AM
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Really? Noones mentioned fine tip Sharpies? Of all the "tools" in my kit, I use the snot out of black sharpies...get a couple of packs.

That said, I find my drill bit sharpener gets some good use now, but you can buy a lot of drills for the price of one sharpener so if you don't already have one, probably not high on the list.
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  #17  
Old 01-31-2015, 09:54 AM
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Thanks for all the great replies. I am so glad I joined this group. Although I am not yet a builder, the value of information I get just doing the research is well worth the member fee.

I have invested in a bench top band saw, belt sander with disc, and drill press. I inherited a bench grinder from the inlaws.

Most RV12 kits come with a pneumatic rivet puller.

No to rivet gun. Cleveland main squeeze and vice-grip edge bender. Debur bit. Small 1.5-2 inch scotch bright wheel. Cheap micrometer. Small parts sorting bin system. Check.

Great feedback!!
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  #18  
Old 01-31-2015, 09:55 AM
RFSchaller RFSchaller is offline
 
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Maybe not a "tool" but a good 4' X 8' workbench with electric outlets on each side makes life easier.

I also found that crimping the end of a 1/2" aluminum tube just enough to pass a blind rivet mandrel but not the head makes a good rivet insertion tool f it doesn't go in easily. A good tapered punch is good for getting rivet holes to line up.
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  #19  
Old 01-31-2015, 10:23 AM
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Yes, sharpies. A can of acetone cleans the ink off of all the aluminum. Red scotchbrite pads for scuffing before priming small pieces. I primed all small pieces but not everything, you can read several hundred pages of argument about that here. I used a rattle can aluminum primer, either the $6 pro brand at Home Depot or the (much more $$$) Marhyde from O'Reilly Auto Parts. You will often cut mirror image small parts from a stamped plate. Label them L and R when you cut them. Scuff, label with a sharpie, then prime and the label will still show through.
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  #20  
Old 01-31-2015, 10:57 AM
rgmwa rgmwa is offline
 
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A cheap jeweller's loupe is also very useful.
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