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woxofswa
Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 349
Location: AZ
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 Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 9:18 pm Post subject: Tools for starting on cabin top |
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Santa's elves have been making inquiries. I was looking at tools for the cabin top.
A couple of interesting one's are the bandfile and the dual saw / twin cutter (Sear's version)
Any suggestions?
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00989738000P?keyword=portable+belt+sander
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Myron Nelson
Mesa, AZ
Flew May 10 2014 |
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Phil.Perry(at)netapp.com
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| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 1:04 am Post subject: Tools for starting on cabin top |
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I have a Fein Multimaster for making cuts and sanding. My kit is
referred to as the "Top" kit. Most of the time I use the circular blade
and it will cut anything - except skin. (Warning: Don't try it with a
straight blade. Those will cut.)
http://www.fein.de/fein-multimaster/us/en/products/multimaster_top.html
I've used it multiple times throughout the project and it's now a very
valuable tool in the shop. It's a real time saver.
I've frozen plexi and then pulled it out and immediately cut it with the
circular (or semi-circular) blade. It worked just fine without any
cracking at all. It cuts fiberglass too as well as aluminum. The kerf
from the blade is pretty much nonexistent compared to other methods.
Here's some videos.
http://www.fein.de/fein-multimaster/us/en/media/multimaster_video.php
Now for some of the best news. It's nearly a dust free operation.
Since the tool oscillates, it chips away small pieces of material and it
falls straight down on the floor. Some folks will tell you that it
doesn't generate heat, but it does. Not nearly as much as traditional
cutting methods, but anytime you're ripping material apart it's going to
generate some heat. By the way, the set I purchased comes with a shop
vac attachment too.
The Fein Multimaster held the patent for this tool and it recently
expired. This is allowed other companies to come in with knock-off
brands that are much cheaper. The Fein isn't a cheap tool, but it is
the BMW of tool brands.
The knock off versions were available when I bought my Fein, but I still
went ahead with the higher end tool. I decided on the Fein because 1) I
didn't want to buy a disposable tool. If I'm going buy a tool for the
shop, I want to buy the best tool for the job. 2) Performance. The
other tools will work, but they don't cut as effectively. 3) Ergonomics
of the Fein is much better. 4) The Fien's ability to quickly change
blades with the flip of a lever was a selling point too.
The Fein tool travels in a 3.2 degree arc 21,000 times per minute.
Dremel's Multi-Max travels in a smaller arc (1.5 degrees) at 10,000 -
21,000 oscillations per minute.
http://www.dremel.com/en-us/Tools/Pages/ToolDetail.aspx?pid=Multi-Max
Craftsman has come out with a knock-off tool called the Nextec
Multi-tool. It travels 2.8 degrees at 15,000.
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00917438000P?vName=Tools+%2
6+Equipment&cName=Power+Tools&sName=Portable+Power+Tools
The Bosch PS50 doesn't state it's arc, but has as oscillation of 20,000.
http://www.boschtools.com/Products/Tools/Pages/BoschProductDetail.aspx?p
id=PS50-2B
You get the idea. I think Harbor Freight has a knock off that they're
selling too.
I've spoken with folks who were happy with their Dremel's, but I don't
have any regrets for spending the extra money on the Fein. I'd like to
get their opinion on the Dremel after they've had a chance to use the
Fein for a while, just to get an opinion with a more realistic point of
reference to compare the two from. I did offer my Fein to a friend
(Dremel user) but he refused to use it because he was afraid it might
cost him $400 in the end to happy again. 
But it is one awesome tool for the garage and for the house.
Phil
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rleffler
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
Posts: 680
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| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 3:33 am Post subject: Tools for starting on cabin top |
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I bought the Harbor Freight version to trim the cabin cover. I was a little
skeptical at first since it only does 10,000 rpm. For $34.95 I figure it
was worth the try.
The good news is that it cut the fiberglass just fine. I did go through
some blades. After three to four feet of cutting the pink fiberglass, the
blades teeth were worn smooth. I don't know how long the Fein or other
vendors' blades last. But when the HF blade is $5 and the Fein is $40, you
can afford to buy a few more blades.
The blade did get rather hot when cutting the fiberglass, so I'm not sure if
it will be effective on the plexi. I suspect that may be due to the lower
RPM.
It's clearly not as nice as the Fein. I am curious if anyone has attempted
to cut the windows with it yet.
bob
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Bob Leffler
N410BL - Phase I
http://mykitlog.com/rleffler |
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MauleDriver(at)nc.rr.com
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| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 5:44 am Post subject: Tools for starting on cabin top |
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In retrospect, the most valuable tool for me was a belt sander. There
are a lot of straight lines and big curves to fit (green top, pink
cowling and doors) and the belt sander has done the best job for me.
I got two cheap bandfiles from HF via mail order. The 1/2" one was
handy for 2 or 3 cuts. Worth it at less than $50 , but not $100+ worth
it. The bigger bandfile was 2X as useful and that's the one I would get
if I was getting one.
I did get a Fein knock-off. Neat tool, glad I have it, but don't use it
on the plane after some experimentation. If I were more familiar,
perhaps. Just no useful experience at this point.
The handiest tool throughout has been the air powered die grinder with
the thin disks. Fast, accurate and wears well. I'm using them on the
plexiglass now.
I had never realized how abrasive fiberglass is on tools. Once I use a
drill bit on it, I move it to the FG bag. If you use a saw blade on
it, get more than few. If you have a good ($$=hard and durable) Unibit,
keep it off the FG. But a cheap pack from HF on sale and use those on
FG and SS. Or just stick with the HF stuff. And for countersinking,
Perma-Grit tungston carbite 100 degree countersinks will save all your
nice steel ones. They won't go in the countersink cage but trust me,
you can eyeball it. Avery has them.
I made up a tool that really worked well on the top cuts. I get a
couple of blades for a 18volt reciprocating saw with abrasive carbide
coatings (no teeth). They are made for straight cuts on pipe and
stuff. I ground down the blade's depth so that it could turn corners
and found it great for trimming the window holes on the old green top.
Two blades did the whole top. No toothed blade would do that.
I went thru 2 HF air powered reciprocating saws from HF. Tough tool to
handle well but I did cut out the holes for the HID lights with it.
That was scary. They work and <$20 but not worth it in retrospect.
After really getting comfortable with the air die grinder, someone here
suggested checking out the new Dremel mandrels for cutting disks. That
has become one of my favorite tools. Now you have a durable abrasive
wheel for metal or plastic that can be changed out in 10 seconds without
tools. WhooWhee! Neat tool and congrats to Dremel for getting it right
after so many years. It's too small for the plexglass but will do the
job (air die grinder here). But for almost everything else, it is the
easiest to handle and most accurate tool to use.
As I sit here in the middle of my second full fitting of the doors, I
still consider a torch at times but think that would be counterproductive.
Bill "who suggests that a good shop vac with a filter bag is the best FG
tool of all" Watson
woxofswa wrote:
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Eric_Kallio
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 149
Location: Baton Rouge, LA
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| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 6:01 am Post subject: Re: Tools for starting on cabin top |
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For tools, the Fein really is great. My uncle (a 9A builder) has used it throughout his project. When helping him before OshKosh this year I became more familiar with it. I had already done the canopy and doors on my project so it is a little late for me to invest in the tool. If I hadn't started the top yet it would be on the top of my wish list. Other knock off tools will get you through the project eventually. I too have used a lot of Harbor Freight tools, but the Fein is the best tool for the job.
A MUST HAVE for the job though, are extra drill bits and tools. If it is used on Fiberglass, it stays on fiberglass. I took the bits I was currently using to the fiberglass and put new ones on the metal tools. Have good files, drill bits, and cutting tools to make the project less of a hassle.
Eric Kallio
40518 installing overhead console and awaiting engine
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Strasnuts
Joined: 10 Feb 2009
Posts: 502
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
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| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 6:54 am Post subject: Tools for starting on cabin top |
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I will agree with Bill, The belt sander has been great. I also liked a
diamond bit blade on a jigsaw to cut the rough openings.
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RV-10 SB N801VR Flying
780 Hours
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woxofswa
Joined: 12 Aug 2008
Posts: 349
Location: AZ
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| Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Tools for starting on cabin top |
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Thanks for the info. Anyone try the DualSaw or Twin cutter (same thing different brands)?
My kids saw the infomercial and told my wife they were going to get it for me, but I'll head them off if it doesn't serve any worthwhile purpose.
BTW, the one thing for the shop that I couldn't live without is the Irobot dirt dog floor sweeper. I know it sounds stupid, but the thing works like a charm and keeps the floor really clean. I got mine at Fry's electronics for $89 Easily worth twice that.
http://store.irobot.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2475131
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Myron Nelson
Mesa, AZ
Flew May 10 2014 |
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