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Tool source

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Jeff Rosson

Joined: 29 May 2007
Posts: 9

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 8:15 am Post subject: Tool source

Hi,



New builder here.  My RV9A Empennage kit is to arrive Wednesday, but I need a bunch of tools.  I have been looking at Avery and Cleveland, who seem to be highly regarded, but also at Brown’s.  Brown seems to have better pricing, and I have already ordered a Sioux 3X rivet gun and air drill from them, saving about $175 right there (not to mention Brown's has free shipping).  Most all of their prices on other items is a bit less, too, and I wonder if people use Avery/Cleveland as these two companies have fairly compete kits of tools, whereas for Brown you have to select each one individually?



Any guidance would be appreciated.  I have a spreadsheet with Van's suggested tools vs. part number and pricing for these three companies that I would be happy to send out to anyone who is interested.  Heck, I will try to attach it to this post.  I also included some other recommended tools I have read are helpful.  The sheet is not totally complete yet, but if it helps someone, great.  



Thanks!

Jeff Rosson

Merritt Island, FL

Tool list.xls

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Tool list spreadsheet

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dthomas773(at)sbcglobal.n
Guest

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 3:05 pm Post subject: Tool source

Hi Jeff,

I bought most of my tools from Cleveland and I can't

say enough good things about them.  They are

themselves RV Builders and extremely helpful.  



The most important thing is when you call them they

answer the phone.  You don't need to listen to a

computer for 5 or 10 minutes to get what you want. 

Secondly they are a good source of general

information.  You can ask a question about building

and they will advise you.



I don't think you can go wrong with them.



Dennis Thomas

RV-9 355 hours and loving it.

--- Jeff Rosson <jeffrosson(at)hotmail.com> wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		   

 <jeffrosson(at)hotmail.com>

 

 Hi,

 

 New builder here.  My RV9A Empennage kit is to

 arrive Wednesday, but I need a bunch of tools.  I

 have been looking at Avery and Cleveland, who seem

 to be highly regarded, but also at Brown’s.  Brown

 seems to have better pricing, and I have already

 ordered a Sioux 3X rivet gun and air drill from

 them, saving about $175 right there (not to mention

 Brown's has free shipping).  Most all of their

 prices on other items is a bit less, too, and I

 wonder if people use Avery/Cleveland as these two

 companies have fairly compete kits of tools, whereas

 for Brown you have to select each one individually?

 

 Any guidance would be appreciated.  I have a

 spreadsheet with Van's suggested tools vs. part

 number and pricing for these three companies that I

 would be happy to send out to anyone who is

 interested.  Heck, I will try to attach it to this

 post.  I also included some other recommended tools

 I have read are helpful.  The sheet is not totally

 complete yet, but if it helps someone, great.  

 

 Thanks!

 Jeff Rosson

 Merritt Island, FL

 

 

 

 

 Read this topic online here:

 



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=116062#116062
	


 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 

 

 Attachments: 

 

 http://forums.matronics.com//files/tool_list_942.xls

 

 

 

 



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tcallender(at)alltel.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Jun 02, 2007 6:18 pm Post subject: Tool source

Jeff,



I purchased a tool kit from Brown about 3 yrs ago, They let me add and 

delete to get what I wanted in the kit... Very nice people to deal with. 

btw I'm building a RV9     Tom C



---

aurbo(at)ak.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:13 am Post subject: Tool source

Jeff,



You get to build your airplane at least 3 times so enjoy the process.



Tools can be more than metal objects used to bend, cut, drill or rivet. 

Tools can be websites such as this one and others that have gone before you. 

It is unlikely that you will encounter or screw up something that someone 

else hasn't already done, unless your very imaginative or creative.



If you have not checked with VAF, www.vansairforce.net, website you should. 

The matronics and VAF websites should go into some of your favorites for 

research.



Check out, www.vansaircraft.com/public/wwwlinks.htm, look under RV-9's for 

websites that others before you have built with ideas and pictures. I have 

some favorites that I check constantly.



But for hand tools:



You can find tools almost anywhere. I did not buy a generic "one size fits 

all" kit from anyone place and I have been quite happy with my decision. 

Also unless your impressed with name brands you can save a lot of $ buying 

the same tool for less. Also don't forget about used tools, they work great 

and provide good service and will save you more $$.



Check out

"The Yard" www.yardstore.com/, great folks, good service.

I bought a pneumatic rivet squeezer 

www.yardstore.com/index.cfm?Action=ViewCategory&Category=95, from them, it 

was used and had performed flawlessly. If you don't want to spend the money 

to buy a pneumatic rivet squeezer then don't ever try one. The first time 

you try one you will be ordering one so fast because you will wonder how you 

got along with out it in the first place. Once you get it set for the size 

of rivet you are using it squeezes all the rest perfectly. Along the line of 

rivets on the back of the horizontal stabilizer you will agree that the 

money you paid for this tool is well spent.



I also bought and have used and love my DRDT dimpler, 

www.experimentalaero.com/.



Your going to need a set of "close quarter dimple dies" which will be used 

with your pop rivet gun. You won't use them very often but when you need one 

almost nothing else will work. By the way use finishing nails for the 

mandrels after you break all the ones that come with the dies.



Another tool you will find very useful is a 90 degree angle drill, the 

smaller the better.



Are you a builder or a flyer?



Mike Ice

Anchorage, Alaska

RV-9 (tail dragger) fuselage just about complete, Working on Firewall 

Forward.



Just put the motor mount on for the first time yesterday, today I will take 

it off, make adjustments, put it back on, take some measurements, take it 

off, repeat 100 times.



---

aurbo(at)ak.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:15 am Post subject: Tool source

Carl,



What does a "hydraulic" squeezer look like? :>)



Mike Ice

RV-9

Anchorage, Alaska



---

aurbo(at)ak.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:18 am Post subject: Tool source

Dennis,



Do you have a flying 9?  Or is your a 9A? Or did you mean your 355 hours 

into the building process?



If flying how do you like your 9 so far? Any problems learning to land the 

9?



Mike Ice

RV-9 firewall forward

Anchorage, Alaska



---

aurbo(at)ak.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 8:35 am Post subject: Tool source

Carl,



That is exactly what I have with the adjustable set holder. I was just 

joking with you because in your first email you said, Hydraulic" instead of 

pneumatic.



I totally agree with you, I would not be with out a pneumatic rivet 

squeezer. Every time I loan it to someone I know they are going to buy one.



I did the slow build wings and the squeezer paid for itself over and over 

again.



Mike



---

bill(at)repucci.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject: Tool source

Carl,



Like you, when I started the thought of picking up my rivet gun

frightened me.  Now I don't even give it a second thought.  No need for

that 22" deep throat, in other words.



Bill



--

bill(at)repucci.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:04 pm Post subject: Tool source

Wimps!



I have built my entire -9 with a rock and a stick!  



Actually, I used the Avery's squeezer and saved the money I didn't spend

on a pneumatic squeezer on replacement parts.



Bill

Just about ready to move to the airport!



--

aurbo(at)ak.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:28 pm Post subject: Tool source

Bill,



Yeah,  and I bet you mined the bauxite in the hills of Jamaica.



On the way to the airport, way to go Bill. Take pictures of the first 

flight. When you get here you will have a place to stay.



Mike

---

bill(at)repucci.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:53 pm Post subject: Tool source

Mike,



Will do, if I'm not too busy flying.



As for the place to stay, we might need four beds.  One of our chapter

members is about to finish his Murphy Super Rebel and we have both been

talking about flying to AK when we are finished.  Of course, I will have

to slow WAY down for him.  What is impressive about that monster is that

it can go 150 mph Vcr.  Not too bad for a flying school bus.



Bill



--

cnpeters

Joined: 24 Aug 2006
Posts: 23
Location: Bloomington/Normal, IL

Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007 7:07 pm Post subject: Tool source

If you review the archives, folks have been quite happy with the 'ABC's' 

(Avery, Brown, Cleveland). Another to look at is PlaneTools/Isham. 

Unless you want to get used and piecemeal, I would recommend a kit. The 

kits usually save you 10% or so, and are fairly complete. I got mine 

from Avery at OSH last year and got even more discounts, plus did a fair 

amount of substituting (eg DRDT-2 instead of C-frame). They were very 

accomodating, and Bob personally took care of everything despite running 

ragged at the show. Squeezer came off ebay for $200.

Carl

RV-9A

_________________
Carl Peters
RV-9A wings

Jeff Rosson

Joined: 29 May 2007
Posts: 9

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:46 am Post subject: Re: Tool source

Thanks to all of you for your recommendations and comments.  



Note to Mike:  I am a builder. I haven't flown as PIC since 1981.  I have dreamed of building my own airplane since 1965.  I had started scratch-building a wood Falconar F12 and was having a blast.  I was even milling my own spruce, so there was no doubt I was a builder and not a lowly assembler!  My mission changed a couple of weeks ago to where a Van's better met my needs so, with the tail section and most all wing ribs done, I hung it up and am now about to embark on the RV-9A journey.  Anyway, I have a pretty well equipped wood working shop, but this metal work is something totally different.



I have been going through the list archives (many hours) and reading different RV-7/9 web sites and I have a much better idea of what is required, and some of it all is a bit intimidating.  But, I figure if I can scratch build a wooden airplane (well, part of it), I ought to be able to figure out how to assemble a metal airplane!  Yes, I am joking about assembling vs. building.  There is a heck of a lot more to a Van's that just simple assembly.  I wouldn't be so intimidated if I really thought all you did was cleco and rivet this thing.  Some of my scratch-building smugness was lost last week as I was trying to figure out what the heck all the tools were used for!  



Anyway, though my first kit will arrive Wednesday, I still have some work to do to turn my wooden airplane factory into a metal airplane factory.  That will take a short while, especially since I had a bit of minor finger surgery and may have to have some more.  But, I will try to have most of my tools on order today and tomorrow.



I appreciate everyone's suggestions.  This is going to be fun.



Jeff Rosson

Jeff Rosson

Joined: 29 May 2007
Posts: 9

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 9:14 am Post subject: Re: Tool source

Well, I will be delayed a tad getting started.  I just got back from seeing a hand surgeon.  



Prior to giving up on my wooden F12, I had a minor mishap with my table saw.  I was doing something dumb and a sliver of wood kicked back and embedded itself into my index finger a couple of weeks ago.  The ER doctor got most of it out, but it appears that when the sliver came in, in broke in two.  Part of it slid off the side of my bone and that was the part we removed as it was quite obvious - poking out the back end as it were.  As we know now, another part of the sliver kind of smashed into the bone and embedded itself, and that is what I have just learned needs to come out.  I will have finger surgery Thursday to get all of that remaining aircraft grade Sitka Spruce removed once and for all.  It should only delay me by maybe another week.  I had hoped to get some preparatory work done in the my work shop over the weekend, but my finger was giving me some troubles, but the doc says I should be fine a week after surgery.  I may be able to do some light work, once the tools start arriving, so it should all work out ok.  



I live on Merritt Island, FL, and work in Melbourne, FL, BTW.  I am an electrical engineer specializing in switching power supplies and analog design.  I recently became a member of the local EAA chapter, but still am trying to get to know the people there.  I have been taking in ribs or various other wooden pieces to show off in the meetings each month.  Next week, I will take in my rudder, then announce I am joining the Air Force.  



Thanks for the words of encouragment that I have been receiving here and in emails.  I have a website for the F12, but never heard from anyone.  I don't mind going it alone, but it sure helps to have so many others to call on for help.  Of course, I will do my part in return.  



Jeff Rosson

k5wiv(at)amsat.org
Guest

Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 4:24 pm Post subject: Tool source

Jeff,



EAA is great.  (I'm a chapter officer.)  But check around for a local

RVators group.  That's where you will fine the most experience with Van's

aircraft and if they are any like our bunch very friendly.



Jack & Cecilia Sargeant

1127 Patricia St.

Wichita, KS 67208-2642

316/683-5268

--

Jeff Rosson

Joined: 29 May 2007
Posts: 9

Posted: Fri Jun 15, 2007 7:18 am Post subject: Re: Tool source

Update on my hand surgery.  No problems.  Today I get the stitches out, but it has not been hampering my building too much.

I did want to put in a plug for both Brown Tools and Plane Tools.  Brown's has the best prices for the Sioux drill and rivet gun, which most folks seem to think are about the best for the money, and for clecos.  Also, they have free shipping for orders over $85. I will tell the story that I ordered from them on, I believe, a Wednesday, via the Internet.  I didn't hear anything back and I called them late the next Monday morning to inquire.  She checked the computer and said something like "well, we show delivery being made 20 minutes ago."  I called our receiving department (I take deliveries at my place of business) and, sure enough, the order had just arrived.  Three-day delivery that is free is not bad at all!  



I ended up getting most of my tools, though, from Plane Tools.  I grew up in Kansas and am a Jayhawk, so I was partial to doing business with the folks back home, plus Shaun was very helpful.  He deleted the items of this standard RV kit that I already had, and got the items out pretty quickly.  His standard kit includes a pneumatic rivet squeezer and the DRDT-2 dimpler, for only a few hundred $ more than other suppliers list for their tool kits that include the manual dimpler and squeezer.  He offered a fair price and ended up throwing in a free adjustable set.  He has since also been very quick to reply to my questions about the tools, so his after-the-sale support has been top notch.



I also, at someone’s urging, ordered a tungsten buck bar from Webster Tool.  I am apprehensive about this purchase after getting three bucking bars from Plane Tools, but I will give it a try.  Webster was great – I had it in three days.  



Maybe this weekend I will dimple my first dimple and buck my first rivet.  Cool.  Then, what, some 18,000 more to do?  Ugh.  



Jeff R

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