Recommended Toolkit for RV14A Standard Build

[sanman99]

Hello everyone,
I recently purchased the tail kit for an RV14A build and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a toolkit vendor for the RV14A. I currently see that Cleveland tools and Aircraft Spruce both have RV builder kits, with Cleveland carrying a kit specifically for the RV14A. Cleveland I believe has more RV history but they are more expensive. Any thoughts on whether I should go with Cleveland or Aircraft Spruce or a different vendor entirely? Does it make a difference?

[AlexC]

Originally Posted by sanman99

Hello everyone,
I recently purchased the tail kit for an RV14A build and was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a toolkit vendor for the RV14A. I currently see that Cleveland tools and Aircraft Spruce both have RV builder kits, with Cleveland carrying a kit specifically for the RV14A. Cleveland I believe has more RV history but they are more expensive. Any thoughts on whether I should go with Cleveland or Aircraft Spruce or a different vendor entirely? Does it make a difference?

I bought as many tools from Cleaveland as possible; great quality tools, and customer service is excellent. They cost a little more, but are worth it.

_Alex

[mc607]

+1 for Cleaveland Tools. The kit they offer is pretty complete except you’ll need a couple dozen black clecos, 5/32. I bought the drill and used it for 20 minutes. Rest of build is with a Dewalt lightweight 12v. Pick up a digital caliper, very useful for .007 below flush plus other things. Get the mushroom set with the rubber boot.
Also one or two of these.
https://www.harborfreight.com/500-lu...ght-59536.html

[georgemohr]

+1. Cleveland is a great outfit.

My advice is to get the pneumatic squeezer option, and the DRDT dimpler option.

[Jetmart]

I went with Plane Tools, very complete kit and good quality.

https://planetools.com/products/the-...f-rv-tool-kits

[squeakersc063]

I did planetools with filler stuff from cleaveland. In every case I've gotten a second tool from cleaveland that I had from planetools (like extra cleco pliers) the planetools is usually a better quality. That said, some of the more expensive planetools stuff goes on sale sometimes and it's best to get things at that time if you can.

[Tiger28760]

+1 on Cleaveland, and what George Mohr said.

[lipper03]

I think I own at least one of everything from Cleveland. Also bought direct from Pan American tool, another nova drill and pneumatic cleco gun. I have both cframe and drdt (found an area on a skin I needed the cframe, drdt didn’t fit, glad I had both, but I have used the cframe for back riveting mainly), pneumatic and main squeeze, the hose kit, you name it. As you might hear, get the right tools, they make the job easier, more fun, and many times better quality of build. You’re building a 100k, or maybe even a 200k+ plane, buy the right tools.

[Gary7A]

And, from my experience, their customer service is very good.

[mstrauss]

I have gotten the majority of my tools form ATS. I find the prices reasonable, and when there is a sale (about two a year, one around AirV), even more so. They have customized kits (drill & rivet gun) for me, and when there has been an issue, they were great to work with in getting it resolved quickly, and at their cost. Everything I have gotten is high quality.

I have gotten one or two tools from Cleveland, and they too have high quality tools. I find them to be more expensive then ATS.

I have gotten most if not all my Clecos from MRO Tools. They have some good prices on tools as well.

Get only Avery or Cleveland dimple dies!