(could be moved to the RV-10 forum, however I assume a lot of this is pretty generic information)
I'm becoming a semi-expert since, due to LCP, I have built about 1.5 RV-10 empennage kits. I had some trouble early on figuring out what tools I needed. I bought some bad tools and I bought some great ones. I wanted to pass along that information to help future new builders. Once you get your tools, I recommend buying (and building) at least two of the "RV TRAINING PROJECT-1" kits from Van's to get started.
Start with the full RV-10 tool kit from Cleaveland Tools. If it still works the same way as when I ordered it, you receive a discount on your entire order when you buy that kit. So it might make sense to order some of the extra items (that I have listed from Cleaveland below) at the same time.
Cleaveland Kit
Here are a few specific things I am glad that I upgraded, and other things that I didn't end up using. In general, the kit has a ton of what you need.
Van's List: Optional Specialty Tools
Van's List: Standard & Optional Shop Tools
This is a partial listing of the standard and optional tools that Van's suggests.
Deburring Tools & Supplies
Riveting Tools & Supplies
In addition to the one bucking bar in the Cleaveland kit, I use these and other accessories.
Clamps
I didn't have a good supply of clamps and I find myself using each of these at various times
Other/Misc
Priming
If you are going to prime before assembly, this is what I use in my process.
I hope this helps somebody else save some time and money!
PS - my final tip. It seems almost guaranteed that you'll mess up some skins. If you do the VS first then that seems the most likely to be damaged. Perhaps see if you can pre-add a second VS skin to your empennage shipment to potentially save a lot of money on shipping. My third VS skin looks great! Also, the rudder is your second part, and the two skins are the same part number. So perhaps consider adding one additional rudder skin as well. Then it won't hurt so bad when you need to start over on one of the skins.
I'm becoming a semi-expert since, due to LCP, I have built about 1.5 RV-10 empennage kits. I had some trouble early on figuring out what tools I needed. I bought some bad tools and I bought some great ones. I wanted to pass along that information to help future new builders. Once you get your tools, I recommend buying (and building) at least two of the "RV TRAINING PROJECT-1" kits from Van's to get started.
Start with the full RV-10 tool kit from Cleaveland Tools. If it still works the same way as when I ordered it, you receive a discount on your entire order when you buy that kit. So it might make sense to order some of the extra items (that I have listed from Cleaveland below) at the same time.
Cleaveland Kit
Here are a few specific things I am glad that I upgraded, and other things that I didn't end up using. In general, the kit has a ton of what you need.
| Drill | N/A: Used my existing Makita drills |
| C-Frame Dimpler | Upgraded to DRDT2 (worth it) |
| Squeezer | SNB214 (could not imagine using the manual one) |
| 1/8" Dbl Offset Cup Rivet Set - RSCX4 | Do need it, even for QB -- Van's says not needed for QB |
| 3/32" Clecos | Suggest an extra 100 (sometimes they go bad) |
| 1/8" Clecos | Suggest an extra 25 |
| Tungsten Bucking Bar - BBT41 | Very useful, but you'll need others too (see below) |
| Threaded Micro Stop Countersink Cage - CT196 | Yes, but I would recommend buying two extras so one can always be #40, one always #30, and one that moves around |
| 3Pc. Aluminum Deburr Handle Set - DBS33 | Don't love it, have other recommendations below |
| Hex Shank Hole Deburring Tool (EXCLUSIVE by Cleaveland Tool) - DB04 | Don't love it, have other recommendations below |
| 3M Cut & Polish Wheel - 6" - 3MW7A6 | You'll need more than one to finish the whole airplane, perhaps get an extra |
| 3M Scotch Brite Red Hand Pad - 3MP47 | Need many more if you are priming, but perhaps buy in bulk elsewhere |
| One Piece Rivet Gauge - EXCLUSIVE by Cleaveland Tool - RLG1 | I have one I like better listed below |
Van's List: Optional Specialty Tools
| Angle Drill Kit | https://cleavelandtool.com/collections/toolkit-angle-drill-attachment-kit |
| Dimple Die Organizer | Cleaveland DIEB10 (in kit) |
| Rivet Measuring Gauge (I like these better because I can only grab the one I currently need and don't have to remember which gauge to use) | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/averyrivetgauge.php |
| Edge-Forming Tool | Cleaveland EF60 (in kit) |
| 3/32" Pin Punch | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pnpages/12-00870.php |
| 1/8" Pin Punch | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pnpages/12-00871.php |
| In-Lb Torque Wrench | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C65D11MY |
Van's List: Standard & Optional Shop Tools
This is a partial listing of the standard and optional tools that Van's suggests.
| Pop Rivet Tool (manual) -- sometimes you need to access small places | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/heavydutyriv1.php |
| Pop Rivet Tool (pneumatic) -- the manual ones kills my hands; this is incredible for the price, when access isn't limited | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077JLMZ97 |
| Hearing Protection -- I wear these almost 100% of the time so I can listen to Bluetooth while working | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0723CYHPZ |
| Drill Press | I feel like it is required |
| Band Saw | I feel like it is required |
| Band Saw Blades | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T3Z95J9 |
| Bench Vise Jaw Pads -- nice to protect the item you are working with | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07848T22X |
| Cut-off saw with blade for metal | Sometimes you'll need to make cuts that won't fit on the band saw |
Deburring Tools & Supplies
| Speed Debur -- I use this for all holes | https://cleavelandtool.com/products/speed-debur-and-countersink-set |
| Bench Grinder -- I put one 6" 3M wheel on this | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07T3L1T8S |
| Die Grinder -- very useful for deburring skins and lightening holes using both the 2" and 1" wheels below | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000VYZ1HW |
| 3M 1/4" Mandrel | https://cleavelandtool.com/products/3m-1_4-mandrel |
| 3M Cut & Polish Wheel 2" (several) | https://cleavelandtool.com/products/3m-cut-polish-wheel-2 |
| 3M Screw-On Mandrel | https://cleavelandtool.com/products/3m-screw-on-mandrel |
| 3M Cut & Polish Wheel 1" (several) | https://cleavelandtool.com/products/3m-cut-polish-wheel-1 |
| Dremmel Polishing Wheels (several packs) -- I use this all the time to help with hard-to-reach edges | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075C72PGK |
| Dremmel Sanding Drums -- I use occasionally for heavy-duty sanding | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07NVGBSRT |
Riveting Tools & Supplies
In addition to the one bucking bar in the Cleaveland kit, I use these and other accessories.
| Rivet Caps -- help prevent skin damage | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pnpages/12-03364.php |
| Flush Rivet w/ Rubber Ring -- help prevent skin damage | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/flushrivset.php |
| Rivet Tape -- for back-riveting | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/3mRivetersTape.php |
| Tungsten Bucking Bar -- primary one | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/buckingbar12-04866.php |
| Bucking Bar A -- for hard-to-reach places | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/to/buckingbars/buckbara.php |
| Back-Riveting Bucking Bar -- for back-riveting when you can't use the plate (e.g. tailcone skins) | https://cleavelandtool.com/products/back-riveting-bucking-bar |
Clamps
I didn't have a good supply of clamps and I find myself using each of these at various times
| 6-Inch Clamps (x4) | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08TBKKJBF |
| 12-Inch Clamps (x4) | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CC6FY81S |
| Deep-throat clamp (x1) -- for trim tab bending | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PZZHJKE |
| Handi Clamp 1-1/2" (x4) | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pnpages/12-02306.php |
| Handi Clamp 1" (x4) | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pnpages/12-02305.php |
| Spring Clamps | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019MDJTOI |
| 24-Inch Clamp (x1) -- for tailcone | Hardware Store |
Other/Misc
| Full drill bit set -- nice to have all of the sizes available | https://cleavelandtool.com/products/drill-set-numbers-1-60 |
| Flange-nose Pneumatic Yoke -- must-have in addition to the yoke in the Cleaveland kit | https://cleavelandtool.com/products/25-flange-nose-pneu-yoke |
| Tap & Die (Wrench only) -- I can't recommend my cheap Tap kit as the handle broke. And another handle broke. But this handle you'll be passing down to your grandchildren. | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006J4DNA |
| Socket Set | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09FSZW427 |
| Angle-Finder | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09YPTDG65 |
| Scale (for fuel tank sealant) | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07SL2TBBD |
| Shop Vac | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XKD57YF |
| Center Punch | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B8HCRM4Y |
| Detail Sander Set -- Use to scuff the skins where the sealant needs to attach | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B1C3ZTYV |
| Safety Wire .032 SS | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pnpages/05-02685.php |
Priming
If you are going to prime before assembly, this is what I use in my process.
| Primer | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pnpages/09-24735.php |
| Primer Prep | https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pnpages/09-00826.php |
| Bulk Scotch-Brite | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002SQYF0 |
| Respirator | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08DQRXRCC |
| Spray Gun (1.4mm Nozzle) | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CJ17HFT |
| Painter's Tape Variety Pack | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08HGFWB2R |
| Emboss-O-Tags -- to mark pieces in a way that will last through the process | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LP3KFWS |
| Paint mixing cups | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0023THLMG |
| Lids/Spouts/Mixer for primer (x2) | https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B2H7JM2 |
| MEK Substitute | Hardware Store |
I hope this helps somebody else save some time and money!
PS - my final tip. It seems almost guaranteed that you'll mess up some skins. If you do the VS first then that seems the most likely to be damaged. Perhaps see if you can pre-add a second VS skin to your empennage shipment to potentially save a lot of money on shipping. My third VS skin looks great! Also, the rudder is your second part, and the two skins are the same part number. So perhaps consider adding one additional rudder skin as well. Then it won't hurt so bad when you need to start over on one of the skins.
