Nut plate jig

[YME]

For those currently building a newer RV-12 kit, can you tell me if the areas for nut plates are predrilled or do I need a few sizes of nut plate jigs. I know I could use a nut plate and screw to do the same but prefer the tool.

Thanks

-Tom

[philcam]

No need for a nutplate jig on the latest kits. They are all pre-drilled and in some cases, pre-dimpled.

[YME]

Thanks Phil. Looks like I will finally save some money on tools.

-Tom

[FredMagare]

But for future necessity: run a screw backward through a nutplate and drill it that way....

[YME]

Originally Posted by FredMagare

But for future necessity: run a screw backward through a nutplate and drill it that way....

Gotcha, thanks.

-Tom

[philcam]

I should have added… there are a few places that aren’t pre-punched for nut plates. The fiberglass tailcone fairing and wheels pants are the first to my mind. Not enough to where a nut plate jig is a must have tool. It would be nice but you can get by without.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by philcam

I should have added… there are a few places that aren’t pre-punched for nut plates. The fiberglass tailcone fairing and wheels pants are the first to my mind. Not enough to where a nut plate jig is a must have tool. It would be nice but you can get by without.

I bought a nut plate jig seven or eight airplanes ago. I've used it maybe a 1/2 dozen times.

[FlyingDiver]

Yeah, unless you're doing a LOT of nutplates without pre-punched holes, a bolt and a cleco work just fine.

[Webb]

Keep one around by cutting the head of the bolt off and leaving it in the nut plate.

[YME]

Phil, Mel, Joe and Webb,

Thanks for the input. So, I guess with a dozen or so where I have to drill, the nut plate with bolt option is the solution.

Thanks to all,

-Tom