Isham vs Cleveland...uh...Cleaveland

[rv7boy]

Originally Posted by terrye

I asked many years ago when I was buying tools. Cleaveland was one of the ladies' maiden names.

Thanks. Now I know.

[ppilotmike]

Both are great. I have tools from both, that I have picked up over the years. I started with a full Isham kit and it has held up well for the last 7 years (all tools are still working fine). I'd recommend to a new builder to buy the Isham kit, with all the upgrades (pneumatic squeezer, Sioux drill, DRDT2 dimpler, 90 degree angle drill, tungsten bucking bar and extra clecos).

[PilotjohnS]

I have a mix of Brown Tools and Cleavand. Dont forget about Brown Tools; they have very high quality tools, good service and prices.

[ppilotmike]

Originally Posted by PilotjohnS

I have a mix of Brown Tools and Cleavand. Dont forget about Brown Tools; they have very high quality tools, good service and prices.

Yup. I originally opted not to buy a Sioux Palm Drill with my Isham kit, but later decided to upgrade. Brown had/has the best price for the Sioux Palm Drill, unless you take the upgrade initially when purchasing the kit. The "standard" drill motor that came with my Isham kit works fine, and I still have it and use it regularly. However, the Sioux has a better "feathering" trigger and really nice smooth operation. It's my primary drill motor. I use the other one in tandem with the Sioux, if desired (i.e. drill #30 with one and #40 with the other, or drill with one, countersink with the other, etc.).

[mturnerb]

Originally Posted by ppilotmike

Yup. I originally opted not to buy a Sioux Palm Drill with my Isham kit, but later decided to upgrade. Brown had/has the best price for the Sioux Palm Drill, unless you take the upgrade initially when purchasing the kit. The "standard" drill motor that came with my Isham kit works fine, and I still have it and use it regularly. However, the Sioux has a better "feathering" trigger and really nice smooth operation. It's my primary drill motor. I use the other one in tandem with the Sioux, if desired (i.e. drill #30 with one and #40 with the other, or drill with one, countersink with the other, etc.).

I got Sioux drill as an upgrade with my kit from Isham. No comment on price as it was a package deal.

[goatflieg]

I bought Cleaveland's RV tool kit and was glad I did... but what really amazes me is their customer service. Tool lost in the mail? They'll replace it. Tool worn out prematurely? They'll replace it. No questions asked. Their service is what keeps me a very loyal customer.

[spannbauer]

I'd also throw in a recommendation for the Main Squeeze hand squeezer from Cleaveland. Squeezing rivets is surprisingly difficult in some areas. It's difficult to apply enough force to squeeze an 1/8" rivet while also keeping the squeezer and rivet perpendicular to the work piece while also keeping the manufactured head seated against the parts. At first I ordered a Tatco squeezer which is a pretty decent model, but it doesn't give you the same leverage that the Main Squeeze does. What is worse is that the jaws for the more ubiquitous squeezers just aren't as beefy as the pneumatic jaws that the Main Squeeze takes. There is a surprising amount of deflection that goes on with the common Tatco style jaws that I didn't like. I think you can technically get buy with either one, but having bought both--I would recommend the Main Squeeze as one of the better upgrades I've made.

Also, the Sioux palm drills are nice. Get one.

Finally, I would recommend picking up swiveling flush rivet set like this one ( http://www.cleavelandtool.com/Swivel.../#.XAmT19tKjIU ). You may need to sand down the rubber upon receiving it to get it spaced to the right thickness, but it really makes riveting the skins idiot proof. The combination of that set and a few nice tungsten bucking bars makes riveting really easy and enjoyable.

[clevtool]

Originally Posted by rv7boy

Cleaveland...Cleaveland...Cleaveland

...not...Cleveland.

Just a nit of mine. They're in Iowa, not Ohio, and I have no idea why they spell it with two "a's." It's pronounced the same, but it's spelled with an extra "a."

Rant off.

Thanks to all for the recommends! Yes Cleaveland is a family name for us. AND it?s spelled correctly! See the ?founding of Cleveland? here for a funny story:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses_Cleaveland

BUT, just in case, we have both www.cleavelandtool.com and www.clevelandtool.com ;-)

[David Paule]

Originally Posted by mturnerb

I'd recommend 3 yokes to start:

1. 3" standard yoke (http://www.cleavelandtool.com/3-Pneu.../#.XAcSj5NKhMM)
....

Skip the 3" yoke; you'll be getting the handy 4" one. Instead, get a shorter regular yoke like this one. The relatively small size will fit in a few places the longer one won't and with it on the squeezer, the tool will be lighter - handy when you're starting.

Besides Brown, Isham and Cleaveland, I've found that The Yard Store is good, too. Their house brand of riveters seems to be as good as Sioux and like Sioux, has a feathering trigger. Maybe better, since my Sioux riveter died a premature death but my ACAT replacement riveter is doing just fine.

Dave

[ppilotmike]

Originally Posted by David Paule

Skip the 3" yoke; you'll be getting the handy 4" one. Instead, get a shorter regular yoke like this one. The relatively small size will fit in a few places the longer one won't and with it on the squeezer, the tool will be lighter - handy when you're starting.

Besides Brown, Isham and Cleaveland, I've found that The Yard Store is good, too. Their house brand of riveters seems to be as good as Sioux and like Sioux, has a feathering trigger. Maybe better, since my Sioux riveter died a premature death but my ACAT replacement riveter is doing just fine.

Dave

Actually, if you're building the 10, I'd recommend the standard yoke too, because the 4" no hole yoke doesn't allow you to dimple, only rivet. The smaller yoke doesn't have a long enough throat to allow you to reach in as far, to do this. Once again, it's the old adage: "A tool for every job and a job for every tool." On the bright side, squeezers (and their yokes) keep ther value pretty well.