claycookiemonster
Well Known Member
I just thought I'd throw out this revelation I've had recently. If it resonates with others, perhaps they will see this sea change coming in advance, rather than finding yourself in the rip current as I have recently.
The process of actually completing an RV (which I've not done yet) begins with a nice, concise kit package from Van's. All the parts are there. All the fasteners are in tidy bags. Several tool companies will ensure you have all the tools required. You follow the instructions and use the tools and you get an airframe. It's nice. It's fun. It's controlled. If you begin to go off the rails, you can recover.
Then you get close enough to the end of the airframe to begin to see the next stage. There is no tidy kit anymore. There are processes you will have to do, and you have neither the tools, nor the parts, not the expertise to do them. You have outgrown the Van's crib and are in the wild world of wiring and fiberglass and upholstery and engines and propellers and paint and inspections and insurance and hanger space.
Actually, it's all fine, but it's shocking. You won't know you need a part or a tool or a fastener until you suddenly NEED it, and then another order goes out to Spruce. You don't go broke on engines 5 figures at a time, you go broke on the nickles and dimes of shipping. You get to/have to decide on limitless options in ways you've never needed to before. The instructions are over and the binder is up on the shelf. And, it will be fine.
It's just another one of those life lessons, where you go from a big fish in the sheet metal world, to a tiny fish in every subsequent world. It's a bit ego bruising initially, but as I've said before, you'll be fine.
Just a little head's up from my garage to yours. You'll be fine.
The process of actually completing an RV (which I've not done yet) begins with a nice, concise kit package from Van's. All the parts are there. All the fasteners are in tidy bags. Several tool companies will ensure you have all the tools required. You follow the instructions and use the tools and you get an airframe. It's nice. It's fun. It's controlled. If you begin to go off the rails, you can recover.
Then you get close enough to the end of the airframe to begin to see the next stage. There is no tidy kit anymore. There are processes you will have to do, and you have neither the tools, nor the parts, not the expertise to do them. You have outgrown the Van's crib and are in the wild world of wiring and fiberglass and upholstery and engines and propellers and paint and inspections and insurance and hanger space.
Actually, it's all fine, but it's shocking. You won't know you need a part or a tool or a fastener until you suddenly NEED it, and then another order goes out to Spruce. You don't go broke on engines 5 figures at a time, you go broke on the nickles and dimes of shipping. You get to/have to decide on limitless options in ways you've never needed to before. The instructions are over and the binder is up on the shelf. And, it will be fine.
It's just another one of those life lessons, where you go from a big fish in the sheet metal world, to a tiny fish in every subsequent world. It's a bit ego bruising initially, but as I've said before, you'll be fine.
Just a little head's up from my garage to yours. You'll be fine.