Empannage Arrives.

Today the FedEx driver called me at work and asked me if I could be home by 4 because she was sure I wanted my High Dollar Aircraft Parts.. She was right, and good for FedEx in this case.. I can't believe she called. Anyway, the parts arrived and have now made their way into the shop. Next step is the big inventory of all the parts.. Maybe Bekah and I can get to that toinght. We still need to finish the second practice project though..

Also, I don't have all the tools yet from Avery.. The flush rivet set and tungsten bucking bar haven't come.. Can't do much without those.

Empannage Ordered ! . Builder #73541

Today I decided to go for it and order the empannage from Van's. I chose manual elevator trim at this time because Van's indicated that I could exchange parts at a later date for the same price. I am pretty sure I will go with electric trim eventually, but there are some questions I need to figure out first. I want to make sure I have the ability to slow the servo motor down so I can make smooth adjustments in the trim. Doing this will require additional electronic components that I am unaware of at this time. Also, electric trim will require a stick with the ability to adjust, and a trim indicator either on the EFIS or Panel.. I also ordered some Alumiprep and Alodine from Aircraft Spruce so that when my next practice kit comes I can practice with metal protection as well..

Continued Progress

Going slow but having fun and liking how this aluminum stuff goes together. I am almost done with the practice project and decided I need to order another as well. It seems pretty straight forward but I do want to make sure I try everything a few different ways before attempting the real thing. Also, I haven't quite got the primer thing figured out yet so another week or two and I should have it all in place and ready to go.

My First Rivets ! !

OK, so I decided to take a crack at the practice project tool box from Van's. As you can see I squeezed my first ever rivets and they turned out OK. A few lessons learned though about how soft aluminum is and that it scratches way to easy, so will need to take greater care when riveting the actual airplane, but I think for a first time I did pretty well. I only used the squeezer and the dimpler so far.. My flat head rivet set for the gun is on back order so won't get that for a few days yet. I am concerned about the circles around the countersinks but don't think there is any way to avoid them no matter how good a riveter you are, as well I was confused with the pneumatic squeezer as I think I was forced to use it backwards and will need to use it backwards for most areas on the airplane.. It is tricky using it backwards and the directions say not to, but I think you will have to at times. I will ask the pros next time I get a chance.



Oh, also loading a pic of the shop.. Lights are up, table covered etc.. Ready to go..

Avery RV Builders Kit Arrives

Today I got the rest of the tools from Avery for the RV builders kit. It looks like it has everything I might need and then some. Its funny how the tool might be so similar to a normal Hardware store tool, but because it is aviation related it just costs more. Seeing the tools, I think I could have gotten away with buying a few locally for cheaper. But I didn't know that to begin and this kit does come with everything in a one stop shop, so for that I am happy. Most of these tools are specific for aircraft. Can't wait to start using them. I haven't even ordered the empanage kit yet from Vans.. Better get on that.

Do you see the pneumatic squeezer? Worth its weight in gold.. ;-)

The DRDT-2 Dimpler Arrives ! !

OK, here is a cool tool.. This guys whole purpose is to dimple the skins so that the rivets will fit into the countersink. Its a fairly high quality tool, nice powder coat and unlike the normal dimplers, doesn't use a hammer to strike the dimple piston. So its quiet, I can dimple all night long. Got this through Avery tools by substituting out other items. Can't wait for the next batch of tools to come.. Will include my 4K Drill and the Pneumatic Squeezer.. ooh.. can't wait.. ;-)

EAA Work Tables - Complete

Just finished the work tables and now my shop is 90% complete. Just a bit more organizing and some more light, but I think we are close. Next step is to check out the tools that come later this week and work on a practice project.. Vans sells an aluminum tool box that you build in order to practice smacking rivets.

Before making an aluminum airplane, you need to practice a bit so that the first rivets on the plane are as good as the last.

Building EAA work Tables - First real task

Here we are building the work tables. Leveraging the nice weather and help from the brother inlaw visiting from Alaska. We kocked these out pretty quick and were fairly happy with the results. Plans are available by Googling EAA standardized work tables.

Bekah took the time to draw me a picture of the day of the first flight. Long way away from today, but as you can see it is a successful first flight and I am giving her the Hi Five and the RV Grin.. ;-)

Testing out this Blogger site to see if it works for us.

Just starting to get going on this RV-7 Project and wanted to make sure I had a great way to capture work and track progress. Not sure if this site has all the tools I will need but am checking it out because its free and easy. If I can download the content then I think I might be golden.

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Oh and also, this might be a good time to let people know that these kits take anywhere from 3 - 6+ years to complete. Man I am jealous of all the guys who started theirs about 3 years ago.