More tools....



The pneumatic squeezer, 3" yoke, flange yoke, and 4" thin nose yoke arrived today.  Also in the box was the fly cutter, and CT tiedown kit, torque seal and a variety of "sets".

The squeezer is....AWSOME!  Love it.  Started using tonight.   Perfect rivet EVERY TIME!

Spent the day organizing all the new tools.  Using scrap 2X4 and a french cleat system, all the tools found a home on the wall.  I like my tools visible on the wall, organized of coarse.  All the wood was scrap laying around.  Having all the tools readily available and visible has made my workflow faster and easier than when all the tools were thrown in draws.   

Here are a few pictures....

Yay!  Most tools arrived.  Check it out!  Its like Christmas again...


First up, back rivet plate, flexible lightweight air hose, and maroon scotch write pads.  Then air hose is really nice.  I'm glad I got it.  Definitely would recommend picking one up if you haven't got one yet.

Filing kit (VERY NICE!) 24" ruler, RV-10 Elevator bucking bar, 12" drill bit (looks like #30 is pictured.

The brush is I believe to clean the files..

Tungsten bucking bar, 3X rivet gun, flush set, drill bits, quick change chuck and kit, sioux 6000RPM drill (VERY nice, small, lightweight), assorted rivet sets.

Cleco 1" clamps, Cleco .5" clamps, step drill bit, reamers, mini scotch write wheels, and more....

Fluting pliers, Medium scotch write wheel, fine scotch bright wheel, seamer, countersink cage x2, and more...

So yes, got many tools in.  Finally the tools are in.  Now I can get a move on the build.  But first, I need to learn to use the new tools. More specifically, the ones that can cause more permanent damage.   Waiting on the 2 practice kits from Vans Aircraft.  Stay tuned.... more to come.

Another day without the REST of the TOOLS....

Picked up a HVLP gun at Harbor Freight for 13 bucks.  It's shipped with the needle with some sort of grease.  Pulled the needle out, cleaned it with mineral spirits.  Ran some 50/50 mineral spirits and water through the gun to clean out any thing else it may have that I couldn't reach with the tiny brush cleaner it came with.  I also ran acetone thru it to clean it up more and have it dry quickly.  Next...Need to wait for the TOOL KIT to ARRIVE so use the scotch brite pads to scuff up the elevators to prime with AKZO to move one to final assembly.

Throughout the day, I skipped around in the plans minus the empennage attachment section and fabricated all the pieces minus deburring.  Thats the pile of parts completed today.  I couldn't find anything else to make or do so this was the last of the work until the tools arrive.

This is my first mistake!  I cut ALL the tail cone J-channels incorrectly.  The J-channel in front is cut incorrectly.  The one behind is curt correctly.  This really took a toll on me.  But mistakes happen and I will learn from this for sure.  Check and check, and check 5 more times before you cut.  Minor detail but still it's wrong.  I was able to use all the long (already cut wrong)  J-channels and repurpose them for the shorter J-channels called out in the plans.  I'll call vans in the morning and order new 8' j-channels.

This is the correct cut, straight on the flat part, 45 degree not the J

Thats it for now till the tools arrive.....lol

A Few More Tools

Still Waiting on the shipment of the main tool set.  While going through the elevator section, I realized a small ruler would be nice to have.  Flipping through the cone section, an angle finder would be nice to have to match up the angles on the band saw.  Picked them up from the local hardware store and used them right away.  The main tool kit will come with a 24" ruler.  The 6" will be nicer for shorter measurements.  It can measure down to 1/64ths.

The CDI 20-150 in-lb torque wrench came in today via USPS on Saturday.  Love it when packages come in the mail.  The excitement never goes away to open up a package even thought I know whats inside, lol.

More Tools....

Its Christmas in May.  After work, I stopped by the local hardware store and picked up a band saw and drill press before heading home.  At home I was greeted with two boxes.  In the boxes were the 1000 silver clecos, 400 copper clecos, and AKZO 2 part epoxy primer.  Earlier in the week, the partial face respirator with organic filters and sealed eye protection also arrived.

Need to get organized...