DonFromTX
Well Known Member
I thought I would share a few thoughts about tools to build the RV 12. Besides all the conventional knowledge, here are some ideas. Keep in mind, I am far from done, this is just things I have discovered to date:
1. Rivet Squeezers. I would highly recommend a pneumatic squeezer and at least two hand jobs. That is what I am using, and it keeps me from switching the dies around and wasting so much time.
2. Air Drills. Again, two are better than one. I would recommend two of the Harbor freight jobs. Lots of lost time chucking and rechucking bits and tools. They don't cost very much. I have a high dollar Sioux job, would have been far better off with two of the el cheapo ones. You need an air valve to control it better too.
3. Air manifold: Again, Harbor freight sells a manifold, get yourself about four shorter hoses, and leave all the air tools connected all the time. Chucking and unchucking takes time, this way you only have to grab a tool and use it.
4. Deburring. Tried several ways, by far the best is one of the little battery screwdrivers from Sears, $14.99 with a year warranty. Light weight, powerful, long lasting charges. You then need the little adapter and deburring bit from one of the aircraft tool people. (Torsten talked me into this one, best advice I ever got!)
1. Rivet Squeezers. I would highly recommend a pneumatic squeezer and at least two hand jobs. That is what I am using, and it keeps me from switching the dies around and wasting so much time.
2. Air Drills. Again, two are better than one. I would recommend two of the Harbor freight jobs. Lots of lost time chucking and rechucking bits and tools. They don't cost very much. I have a high dollar Sioux job, would have been far better off with two of the el cheapo ones. You need an air valve to control it better too.
3. Air manifold: Again, Harbor freight sells a manifold, get yourself about four shorter hoses, and leave all the air tools connected all the time. Chucking and unchucking takes time, this way you only have to grab a tool and use it.
4. Deburring. Tried several ways, by far the best is one of the little battery screwdrivers from Sears, $14.99 with a year warranty. Light weight, powerful, long lasting charges. You then need the little adapter and deburring bit from one of the aircraft tool people. (Torsten talked me into this one, best advice I ever got!)