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RV12 Tools?

CessnaTPA

Active Member
After dreaming for 15 years and debating over a year I finally pulled the trigger and ordered the tail and wing kit.
Now I'm prepping the garage and getting ready to order tools.
Are there any tools not on Van's recommend list or the vendors Rv12 tool kits that I should get?
I know majority of the build is with blind rivets but would a Pneumatic Squeezer be beneficial?
 
Yep

Welcome to our group. I’m building a -12 and have needed a rivet squeezer a few times, installing nutplates. I did it all with a manual squeezer but a pneumatic one sure would be nice.

Regards,
 
I don't know where Riverview is located. Perhaps a better geographical reference would point you to nearest EAA chapter and/or local builder who might be willing to share tools.
 
Welcome to the club,Cessna!
I'd almost get jealous for your intended start: it's a marvelous journey to Everland, you'll learn a lot, laugh and curse a lot, and fill your backpack with experience.
Wish I could do it again(and I already built a Kitfox before....)
Wishing you and yours lots of fun, lots of succes and a beautiful '12 to be born out of your hands.
 
Welcome to our group. I’m building a -12 and have needed a rivet squeezer a few times, installing nutplates. I did it all with a manual squeezer but a pneumatic one sure would be nice.

Regards,

Piggybacking. Does the RV-12 require a rivet gun at all, or can everything be done with a squeezer?
 
Tools

As far as hand tools, I have to say the tools I got from Plane Tools have worked out great so far. Their RV-12 Tool Kit is well thought out and includes almost everything I've needed so far. I did buy a squeezer from Cleaveland tools however. The one supplied with the Plane Tools kit works fine but it is sometimes a challenge to squeeze some of the larger longer rivets. The squeezer from Cleaveland has a mechanical advantage that makes it much easier.

Things that are not included are any tools you'll need for the electronics, such as crimp tools and stripers.
 
Cleavland

+1 for the Cleavland “Main Squeeze”
I did need a Pneumatic rivet gun for my Kit #121 to rivet the seat pan to center spar as I recall. Newer kits may be different.

Also I uses a pneumatic puller for the 13000 or so pull rivets.
 
We have really found the Milwuakee M12 cordless river puller to be nice to work with. Enough that we bought two. It's worth taking a look at along with the more commonly used pneumatic puller. I have also found that have a couple different style of manual puller are handy in a few tricky places, and you may find yourself modifying the nose of one or two.

ATS has a little wedge tool for pulling rivets where there is limited clearance. This is worth picking up, you will use it quite a bit.

If you are shopping for a pneumatic squeezer, take a look at the Numatx. Not critical, and probably not a good value for someone who already has a squeezer but if you're shopping from square one it's not a big cost difference.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Specialty-Tools/Rivet-Tools/2550-20

https://aircraft-tool.com/shop/detail.aspx?id=AE5012

https://www.flyboyaccessories.com/product-p/2701.htm
 
ATS has a little wedge tool for pulling rivets where there is limited clearance. This is worth picking up, you will use it quite a bit.
]

Other tool suppliers have them as well, but another option is to just use the AEX wedge material that is supplied in the kit and make your own tools for zero dollars. It works great and was originally a Vans Aircraft idea.
 
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Yeah, fair point. The one I bought is actually from Cleaveland but when I went to look I didn't find it. So yeah, Cleaveland has it too.

IMO the handle makes it a little more convenient to use and not misplace as compared to the wedge, but it's certainly not necessary.
 
Tools that have worked well

We have really found the Milwuakee M12 cordless river puller to be nice to work with. Enough that we bought two. It's worth taking a look at along with the more commonly used pneumatic puller. I have also found that have a couple different style of manual puller are handy in a few tricky places, and you may find yourself modifying the nose of one or two.

ATS has a little wedge tool for pulling rivets where there is limited clearance. This is worth picking up, you will use it quite a bit.

If you are shopping for a pneumatic squeezer, take a look at the Numatx. Not critical, and probably not a good value for someone who already has a squeezer but if you're shopping from square one it's not a big cost difference.

https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Specialty-Tools/Rivet-Tools/2550-20

https://aircraft-tool.com/shop/detail.aspx?id=AE5012

https://www.flyboyaccessories.com/product-p/2701.htm

+1 on all three of these tools. The M12 rivet puller has worked great. Its amazing how many rivets that can be pulled before a recharge is needed.
The Numatx is well worth the investment. The best thing about this tool is that it frees up one hand to insure everything is in alignment during the squeeze. Can get consistent good results with minimal physical effort. On the other hand, if you want to build up those arm mussels opt for the manual squeeze.

https://photos.google.com/album/AF1.../AF1QipNkgugaK8t-NvMfLXX85I6D8OmSqR3m_s9Z0VAt
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/e...sk4fwf3rFafkRoUpMf2Cg=w834-h625-no?authuser=0
 
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+1 on all three of these tools. The M12 rivet puller has worked great. Its amazing how many rivets that can be pulled before a recharge is needed.
The Numatx is well worth the investment. The best thing about this tool is that it frees up one hand to insure everything is in alignment during the squeeze. Can get consistent good results with minimal physical effort. On the other hand, if you want to build up those arm mussels opt for the manual squeeze.

Nah, you made the more important point and it has nothing to do with whether or not you can physically squeeze the rivets. It's the alignment and having hands free that makes a difference. The lighter weight and having an extra free hand mean better work, and the lack of adjustment speeds things up a little. It's really a pleasure to use.
 

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