Hi all, I'm new to the forums but have tried to learn as much as possible from existing articles and threads over the past few weeks. I'm not new to aviation, but am new to the world of homebuilds & the EAA community and hope to begin work on a RV-7 in the near future. Currently building up a tool set from scratch and wanted to get some opinions about some of the key tools that I need in order to successfully work on the empennage kit for the RV-7.
Currently I have:
Speed Deburr & C'sink tool (Avery 1046) -- still need deburring bits (so many to choose from!)
Snips (left/right/straight)
Bucking bars (various)
Clecos (various) / pliers
Swivel head pop rivet tool
Back rivet set + plate
Flat sqz. set 1/8" x 1/2"
1/8" cup rivet set 3.5"
1" mushroom set
Flush rivet set
Straight+offset rivet sets (3/32",1/8",5/32",3/16")
Sioux 3x rivet gun
Countersink cutter - 3/32"
Threaded micro-stop c'sink
DRDT-2
Dimple die set for 3/32"
Makita MAC5200 Air Compressor (3.0 HP, 6.5 CFM, 5.2 gal)
I plan on getting the standard required taps, reams, drill bits, c'sink cutters, dimple dies, pliers, files (10" vixen, rat tail, 8" round *******), additional clamps (2" "C" clamps and 3" spring or pony clamps), and misc items like an edge forming tool, offset heand seamer, rivet gauge and perhaps even an angle die grinder.
My question lies in what best tool to use for riveting. I know this is asked a lot and there is a lot of debate between standard rivet squeezers (Tatco brand is one kit I've considered), the Cleaveland "Main squeeze 22", and, of course the option of pneumatic squeezers (which seem to run at least $600). Taking into consideration that I have a 3X rivet gun already, but also plan on doing a lot of rivet work without assistance, would the Main Squeeze or Pneumatic option be overkill for my needs? Would most pneumatic squeezers work fine with my air compressor? The reason I ask is that I've read many tool specs (esp. the Sioux tools) specify 8.0 CFM. Also, I understand I'd probably need a squeezer that can be used for dimpling in cases where the DRDT-2 isn't an option.
Finally, I'm wondering about the usefulness of a band saw for precision cutting of the alclad pieces during construction. Snips seem like a less than ideal solution for some of the precision cuts required in the plans, but maybe I'm overthinking it all.
Sorry for being a bit long-winded in my first post, but I guess when it comes to tools I could go on and on! Thanks in advance.
/Tristan
Currently I have:
Speed Deburr & C'sink tool (Avery 1046) -- still need deburring bits (so many to choose from!)
Snips (left/right/straight)
Bucking bars (various)
Clecos (various) / pliers
Swivel head pop rivet tool
Back rivet set + plate
Flat sqz. set 1/8" x 1/2"
1/8" cup rivet set 3.5"
1" mushroom set
Flush rivet set
Straight+offset rivet sets (3/32",1/8",5/32",3/16")
Sioux 3x rivet gun
Countersink cutter - 3/32"
Threaded micro-stop c'sink
DRDT-2
Dimple die set for 3/32"
Makita MAC5200 Air Compressor (3.0 HP, 6.5 CFM, 5.2 gal)
I plan on getting the standard required taps, reams, drill bits, c'sink cutters, dimple dies, pliers, files (10" vixen, rat tail, 8" round *******), additional clamps (2" "C" clamps and 3" spring or pony clamps), and misc items like an edge forming tool, offset heand seamer, rivet gauge and perhaps even an angle die grinder.
My question lies in what best tool to use for riveting. I know this is asked a lot and there is a lot of debate between standard rivet squeezers (Tatco brand is one kit I've considered), the Cleaveland "Main squeeze 22", and, of course the option of pneumatic squeezers (which seem to run at least $600). Taking into consideration that I have a 3X rivet gun already, but also plan on doing a lot of rivet work without assistance, would the Main Squeeze or Pneumatic option be overkill for my needs? Would most pneumatic squeezers work fine with my air compressor? The reason I ask is that I've read many tool specs (esp. the Sioux tools) specify 8.0 CFM. Also, I understand I'd probably need a squeezer that can be used for dimpling in cases where the DRDT-2 isn't an option.
Finally, I'm wondering about the usefulness of a band saw for precision cutting of the alclad pieces during construction. Snips seem like a less than ideal solution for some of the precision cuts required in the plans, but maybe I'm overthinking it all.
Sorry for being a bit long-winded in my first post, but I guess when it comes to tools I could go on and on! Thanks in advance.
/Tristan