Deals to look for at Oshkosh???

alpinelakespilot2000 · #1 06-28-2006, 05:46 PM

I'm headed to Oshkosh for the first time in my life. I'm also at the stage in my kit where I should be done with the airframe in the next year. Thus, I'm (relucantly) ready to look for deals I can't pass up on the things I'll need to finish... avionics and instruments, lights, interior misc., and (dare I say) engine and prop. While I would doubt there are deals on the latter two, what should I be watching out for otherwise? I ask now so that I can be researching regular prices beforehand so that when I get there I'll know a good deal if I see it? Thoughts from veterans? Thanks.

Kyle Boatright · #2 06-28-2006, 06:42 PM

I've always found outstanding prices at Oshkosh on avionics and instruments. Figure out what you want and comparison shop the various vendors. You may save 5-10% versus normal retail prices.

videobobk · #3 06-28-2006, 07:00 PM

Actually, the big soft-serve ice cream cones are the best deal on the field!

Bob Kelly

Ironflight · #4 06-28-2006, 08:56 PM

I'd also suggest visiting the fly market and filling a bag with things like an assortment of Adel clamps, wire in various useful gauges, and other building "supplies" that you can't just run out and get (unless you live in the same town as Aircraft Spruce) when you suddenly need a slightly different clamp, bolt, screw, etc.. I'd also pick up some extra locknuts, cotter pins, safety wire, etc. It's just a great place to get those aircraft specific specialty items that can slow down your build when you don't have them...

Paul

Mike_ExpressCT · #5 06-28-2006, 09:04 PM

Paul's idea of hitting the flea market is an excellent idea!! You can get most of that stuff dirt cheap, and it always seems that you will need something a month after Oshkosh that you saw there but didn't get.

I'm not sure when you're planning on going, but we went last year for the last three days of the show, and did most of the shopping in the display areas during that time. You'll often find that, if you wait until the last day or two, you will receive even better deals from everyone because they don't want to have to pay to ship things back. If I remember, we got an Infinity stick grip for almost 50% off, a Concorde battery from Spruce for something like 25% off, and a few other good deals.

Whenever you go, have a great trip and take lots of pictures!!

N916K · #6 06-29-2006, 08:42 AM

I agree with Paul, go to the market and buy a bunch of hardware. You will be amazed how much extra hardware you will end up using when you start on the stuff Van's doesn't supply. Grab a guy that has finished an RV and get him to walk with you through the hardware stalls in the market and point out the stuff he ended up needing. You will end up with a few hundred dollars worth of nuts and bolts but it will save a bunch of calls to Spruce. Also those floor sweepings are nice to get. Every once in a while you need a large rivet to fill a whole of a funcky nutplate and those floor sweepings seem to have a bunch of that stuff.

And that soft serve is a great deal.

cnpeters · #7 07-06-2006, 09:30 PM

As a future RV builder, I'm preparing to tool up, likely with a kit from Avery or Isham/Planetools. Upgrades will include a pneumatic squeezer and the DRDT-2. Would it worth waiting to see if there are good deals on new or used tools at OSH (if it matters, I will be attending midweek and will miss the first three days)? I've never been through the vendor or swap areas, so have no idea.
Thanks,
Carl Peters
(future -9A builder)

dan · #8 07-06-2006, 10:21 PM

Before deciding, you may want to call Fred Kunkel at Clear Air Tools. Last I heard, he has a very competitive kit offering. Top integrity guy, and he knows more about pneumatic tools than anybody else on the planet. (Not financially affiliated, he's just a friend from SoCal.) He may be up at Arlington as we speak.

sprucemoose · #9 07-07-2006, 01:29 AM

Most of my tools are from Avery, and I've had nothing but good experience with them. They do have a nice booth at Oshkosh (exhibit building A IIRC) where you can actually play with all the neat stuff in their catalog. They do have some very good airshow deals. I would wait until Oshkosh before buying anything.

If you've never been through the vendor areas, you will reasonably suspect that you've died and gone to heaven.

robertahegy · #10 07-07-2006, 04:02 PM

Dittos with what Jeff said. Oshkosh venders bring a lot of stuff and do not want to take it back. I have wheeled and dealed on a lot of stuff over the years. Many dealers will meet or beat pricing of competitors. Bring a list of tools and airplane equipment and DEAL!!! Avery Rules for tools, though.

Roberta