Thanks for the welcome, guys. Dave, we're *trying* to keep warm; it's currently 11 below in Chicagoland... but I can hear derisive laughter coming from North Dakota
I've just finished getting all the basic shop tools together, and have 99% decided to go with planetools.com for the RV toolkit- I really like their deluxe package with the DRDT-2 and pneumatic squeezer included. I'll be taking the pay-as-you-go route, with the empennage kit ETA in June. That'll give me plenty of time to get the garage turned into a respectabe workshop, hang an A/C unit from the window, install a mini-fridge, plumb for air, etc. Gotta build tables, too.
I'm less sure about gear configuration, but that only stems from a desire to have it all --each configuration has its pros and cons, and I'll pretty sure end up with a -7A. Gotta go with the tip-up canopy, but I'm determined to install a small plexi vent on each side for some additional air while on the ground.
Definitely going to have an IO-360 up front, but 180hp/FP to keep things simple and within budget. I think Mattituck can give me a 360 that can be converted to CS at a later time, so some investigation is still in order.
Best of all, I have the full support of my wife, which makes all the difference in a project of this scope- I feel very lucky indeed, and am chompin' at the bit to get started!
