Slowing down

prkaye · #1 11-05-2006, 04:45 PM

I learned a lesson today. Slow down. Any other builders have to learn this hard way (several expensive parts replaced in the empennage)?

My friends and family know me as a guy who likes to work fast... they joke with me that my plane will be done in a year. When I get going, I get very eager to get to the next step. When something goes wrong, I tend to obsess about it and my instinct is to get it fixed NOW. Then I do a rushed job of fixing it, without stopping for a day to think.

So the less to myself after today (ruined an elevator skin) is to slow down. I won't be able to afford to keep this up if I keep ruining parts (like wing skins... wouldn't that suck...)

Ironflight · #2 11-05-2006, 05:25 PM

You're 100% right Phil - when you get in to a problem with a part, the best thing to do is stop and use the old grey matter on it before picking up another tool. However....that doesn't mean that it has to slow down the build. Once you get some more of the kit in house, you'll have the option of stopping with the problem part and moving to something else. The problem will be solved in your subconscious while you sleep, and you will go back and continue with that on another day.

Of course, if you switch to something else and screw that up to, then the kit is trying to tell you to put the tools down for the night and go have a beer!

Paul

N674P · #3 11-05-2006, 05:39 PM

Oh yes, I learned the hard way to slow down. Most of the parts ended up serviceable, if not pretty. I might re-do some of the tail after the rest of the kit is done - we'll see.
Slowing down, and answering all of those little niggling questions that are trying to get your attention will probably see the project done sooner. Fixing mistakes and beating up on myself takes time and is a lot less enjoyable than doing it right the first time.

Bob Axsom · #4 11-05-2006, 06:26 PM

It's a good thing to learn early. It is a very tricky process - not at all like putting together something from the local hardware store. You have to think ahead, rethink, measure, remeasure and carefully implement your build plan. There are several ways to do everything and the results of some methods are not going to be as precise or acceptable as others. The mentality that there are certain things that have to be done and when you do them you will automatically have a good product is misplaced in building an RV. Now, if you have someone with RV building experience guiding your steps you can surender the planning to them and just do the mechanical fabrication steps and maybe you will come out OK. However, if you are on you own and you don't figure out the methods and sequence of steps you want to follow to complete every task you are going to be disappointed and may end up trying to sell your disaster under some plausible "it's a bargain" cover story.

Bob Axsom

fstringham7a · #5 11-05-2006, 08:10 PM

Phil

My first lesson in airpalne building ended with a lecture from a very good friend, fantastic airplane builder, and all around good guy............he said, "if you want a plane that is SAFE, flys true, and looks good...............BE PATIENT IN ALL YOU DO WHILE BUILDING THE PLANE.

Every time I broke this rule I was on the phone to Van's for a part order, instructions on how to fix (Ken gives great lectures), and depression.

Frank @ SGU and SLC .........wiring a 7a

zilik · #6 11-06-2006, 07:59 AM

When I started my 6A in Feb of 1995 I had the same problem of going to fast. No damaged parts but I knew I had to work fast and hard to finish the plane in my lifetime. After a couple of months of burning the candle at both ends I realized that this was not just a weekend project and that it would take me years to finish. Thats when I slowed down and set a stable pace. It took 5 years of all my spare time. I ignored my friends, cats, dogs, wife (only sometimes) and looked forward to 3 day holidays so I could work all day in the shop. Was if fun? Oh yes!.

cytoxin · #7 11-06-2006, 08:26 AM

you can spend the time to read and re read the plans or you can spend the time waiting on vans ..hey maybe thats why vans is so slow to ship so they can punish us for getting in a hurry. yea thats the ticket

prkaye · #8 11-06-2006, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Every time I broke this rule... ...and depression.

Yeah, for me the depression is coupled with paranoia... I keep saying to myself that if I can be so error-prone, how on earth am I going to be able to afford to build this plane? If I keep having to order replacement parts, the cost of this thing fly higher than the plane ever will.

Then I question whether I'm really cut-out to be a craftsman... if I really have the patience to sustain quality work.

I'm starting to see that this project may become an emotional roller-coaster!

Bob Axsom · #9 11-06-2006, 10:08 AM

Reading between the lines here Phil it is obvious you have the desire. If you slow down and work through the project you will not only be happy with the airplane but you will develop skills and things that have been slurred over in your frantic life style. In the end those may be more important to you than the airplane itself. Now is the time to decide, the road less traveled or the same familiar more comfortable road.

Bob Axsom

dennis · #10 11-06-2006, 10:29 AM

I think that we sometimes feel the need to quickly finish our projects because of the web sites we see where someone finishes a plane in one or two years!!
I wish someone who works slowly (like i do) would post a site. A site where they would admit to spending hours reading the plans to try to understand what in the heck is going on!(again, as i do).
with family and home responsibilities it is sometimes difficult to find time during the week to spend on my project. I try to tell myself that it's about the process not the product.
I
n the meantime Phil, slow down , read up, and work on.

dennis giammarco rv-7
empennage in the attic
wings working on the spars