How many times have you ordered parts?

Phil · #1 10-14-2007, 02:45 PM

I am ordering a part for the 4th time. I busted my tail for 2 days deburring the VS doubler, only to screw up a countersink. It hasn't always been a countersink problem, but it was this time.

This photo needs no explanation, but it pretty much describes my emotions.

What's the most number of times you've had to order a part?

LifeofReiley · #2 10-14-2007, 03:43 PM

Hey Phil,

The tool does look to be dug in pretty deep. You will order parts, it's part of the build (pun intended). That's where measure three times and cut once comes into play. Don't let it get you down! Have some spare sheet material different thickness and angle around so you can draw out a new piece, hit the bandsaw and move on. I found this really helps. Oh, and the plane is not going to be perfect...

SvingenB · #3 10-14-2007, 04:09 PM

On the early stages of emp, and already I have ordered new parts. If I continue on this statistics, I would be better off ordering two kits to start with

"Measure twice, cut once" is a good rule, but "be awake when drilling" should allso be there

Lionclaw · #4 10-14-2007, 05:15 PM

I messed up one of my HS spar pieces last week by countersinking all of the holes on one flange too far. Hopefully the new one will get here sometime this week.

I was trying to go too fast. If I had slowed down, and checked my work more often, I would not have made the mistake. Fortunately there is plenty of other work to do while I wait for Fedex. I moved on to the VS, finished that yesterday, and now I'm nearly done with the rudder.

What really surprises me is how much time we spend on each rivet. If you add up the time spent clamping, drilling, deburring, dimpling/sinking, and riveting, what would it come out to per rivet? 45 seconds? More?

Kevin Horton · #5 10-14-2007, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SvingenB

"Measure twice, cut once" is a good rule, but "be awake when drilling" should allso be there

Yeah, I made a few mistakes when I was tired, and pushing to complete some task before stopping for the night. I eventually learned that it was better to stop early than have to spend three extra hours fixing the mistakes from working when I was too tired. And, some days you simply aren't as sharp as others. You have to learn to recognize those days, and either stop working, or switch to working on things where errors are not critical, or are easily corrected.

This is a marathon, not a sprint. Take the long term view.

gasman · #6 10-14-2007, 05:25 PM

I HAVE VAN'S ON SPEED DIAL. THEY DON'T EVEN ASK FOR MY CREDIT CARD NUMBER ANY MORE.

UPS OFFERED TO RE-PAVE MY DRIVEWAY

cytoxin · #7 10-14-2007, 06:08 PM

when i started i asked one of the guys at vans this very question. he carefully dodged the question with oh you'll buy a few pieces. as i said before im gonna build a static display with all of the left over parts.

szicree · #8 10-14-2007, 06:12 PM

If you're anything like me you'll have the occasional streak of bad luck. During such periods it seems like a good day is one where you get nothing done, but you don't ruin anything either.

I'm not sure how many times I've ordered a part, but I have primed the same part three times. It was a small doubler that goes on the interior of the belly to double the antenna mount. I wanted the side that mates to the belly skin bare so that it would form a good ground with the skin. It was countersunk to receive nutplates, so there shouldn't have been any confusion about which side to prime. I even remember thinking about it very carefully to make sure I sprayed the correct side. WRONG! I stripped it clean the next day, flipped it over (twice evidently) and shot the exact same side again. AARGH!

This stuff is gonna happen -- just enjoy the process.

LettersFromFlyoverCountry · #9 10-14-2007, 06:22 PM

How many times have I ordered parts? Van built that RV-10 just with the handling charges I've paid.

scard · #10 10-14-2007, 06:37 PM

Lets also not scare new builders. It isn't, or shouldn't, only be a long string of blunders either. The other side of this is a combination of being careful and creative when presented with self imposed "challenges". Very few of these parts can't be simply fabricated on the spot if you have some extra sheet and angle appropriately sized. Talk to a -3 builder and ask them what would constitute being stuck because of waiting for new parts. It would be something like "...the whole shop burned down and I didn't have raw materials to form that bulkhead with." Just a little perspective for those not yet down this path.