The one you can't live without?

[Phil]

It takes a long time to build an airplane. For me, I'm 4.5 years into building the airplane and also building a relationship with my airplane. I know everything about her from tip to tail.

But last night, I realized my relationship goes beyond an airplane. It goes to my tools too. Some are more valuable than others. Some are garbage and some are very precise in what they do.

But of all my tools, there is one that I just couldn't live without. There's nothing special about her and I'm not sure where I found her. But this file has played a role in nearly every phase of the build. We know each other. I know how she sounds when she's working correctly. I know how she feels when she's working correctly. I can tell when she's had enough and needs to be cleaned. I can tell when I'm getting out of line based on how she pushes back. We've spent 4.5 years building a relationship and of all my tools, this is the one I couldn't live without. I don't even think she could ever be replaced with an identical model.

Do you have a tool like that? If so, what is it?

Phil

[Vlad]

Good thread Phil.

[Mel]

My building partner, Ann!

[Phil]

I'd never call my wife a 'tool' Mel!!

[panhandler1956]

Sorry I couldn't resist!

[az_gila]

Not always popular, but essential...

[Rick6a]

Originally Posted by Phil

....Do you have a tool like that? If so, what is it?...

Given the choice, I believe most builders would rather squeeze rivets than set rivets using a gun. Without hesitation, my favorite tool is the CP alligator squeezer. Certainly, it is a high dollar tool and its $800-900 cost can be a difficult expense to justify. Using it, however, I enjoy a profoundly unfair advantage over most builders. It's throat depth makes it possible to squeeze a high percentage of the total number of airframe rivets because its geometry allows it to reach locations not possible with a "C" type squeezer. The RV8 rear seat shown in the bottom photo showcases only one example of its uncommon utility. Like everything else, not all alligators are created equal. My alligator is powerful enough to set shorter length AD6 rivets and I used that 3/16" diameter rivet to plug various tooling holes in some parts. Setting rivets quickly and efficiently is only half the alligator's talent. When it comes to generating dimples, there is simply no hand operated tool out there that is faster than my alligator. After viewing this 1 minute video, I'm sure you'll agree my claim is no exaggeration. Oh, and before you even think to ask, the answer is NO you can't borrow it!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR2giHt2Mi0

[Walt]

When it comes to metal work I couldn't live without my Dotco 90 deg "high speed" angle grinder, use it with sanding discs and scotch brite pads.

[scard]

Originally Posted by Rick6a

Given the choice, I believe most builders would rather squeeze rivets than set rivets using a gun. Without hesitation, my favorite tool is the CP alligator squeezer. Certainly, it is a high dollar tool and its $800-900 cost can be a difficult expense to justify. Using it, however, I enjoy a profoundly unfair advantage over most builders. It's throat depth makes it possible to squeeze a high percentage of the total number of airframe rivets because its geometry allows it to reach locations not possible with a "C" type squeezer. The RV8 rear seat shown in the bottom photo showcases only one example of its uncommon utility. Like everything else, not all alligators are created equal. My alligator is powerful enough to set shorter length AD6 rivets and I used that 3/16" diameter rivet to plug various tooling holes in some parts. Setting rivets quickly and efficiently is only half the alligator's talent. When it comes to generating dimples, there is simply no hand operated tool out there that is faster than my alligator. After viewing this 1 minute video, I'm sure you'll agree my claim is no exaggeration. Oh, and before you even think to ask, the answer is NO you can't borrow it!

Oh, Rick, now you've gone and done it. It wasn't long ago that I was cussing having to shoot some rivets in the corner of the -8 airframe, when I knew exactly what tool I didn't have. I've been staring at a couple more for over a month, avoiding them in a kind of stare-off. I've been threatening to resolve the situation once and for all with the temporary pain, but lasting joy of having the RIGHT tool... I think I'll utilize the tools in post #5 and #6 in order to win the day with tool #7.

[SmilingJack]

6" Scotchbrite wheel,
HSS 3 FLUTE BURRING CUTTER
DRDT-2