What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

Building tools

I'm in the process of looking for all the tooling needed for the rv10 build and I know a couple companies have pre arranged van's builders kits. I'm just wondering if there's any tool's in these kits that just aren't needed. I plan on getting the lever type dimpler instead of the hammer type, the air rivet squeezer instead of the manual style, and just using a couple cordless drills vs the air one. Any advice would be greatly appreciated, as well as who ended up being the best supplier for stuff needed.


Thanks
 
I purchased the Isham kit with a few changes. Isham was great to work with and includes the DRDT and pneumatic squeezer you referenced. Planetools.com

He makes his RV10 kit include a few extras specific for the -10. Looking back on VAF threads people have been very happy with his kit.

I did get dimple dies from Cleveland, and most other tools I plan on getting in addition to the kit will mostly be from Cleveland.
 
Last edited:
I bought my kit from Isham. Planetools.com. VERY happy with the kit and customer service. I ordered a flat end yoke for the squeezer (not in the kit). When I ran into a rivet that it didn't have enough of a squeeze for, I contacted Isham and next day they sent me an extended die to take care of the issue, free of charge! I was very impressed with the customer service. Highly recommend! The only tools in kit I feel I haven't used much are the "tin snips". There were 3 in the set. I've used one. But, I'm far from done, so time will tell if they will be utilized down the road.
 
awesome, this is great to get some valuable feedback. The tin snips are one thing I was curious about as well, be great if anybody who's completed the 10 pipe in on if they've actually used them all? :)
 
Send an email to Mike or Annette at Cleaveland Tools. They had an Excel spreadsheet that compared their kits to Isham's kits component by component. I spend considerable time going over it and it looks like their (Cleaveland's) prices are a bit better.

FWIW I do use the snips occasionally where the bandsaw just won't work well.
 
I finished up awhile ago but your initial take is a good one. Esp the DRDT.

I would get a pnuematic drill since you'll have the needed air and high speed is good for aluminum work... and fast. Big and small electrics are good too so get them as well. Much further down the line I found that a small electric driver with an adjustable ratchet for driving various sized screws to be very useful.

Never used the snips which surprised me. Still wondering where they are best used other than on my jon boat.

You'll definitely need a hand squeezer in addition to the pneumatic one.

I bought from Isam as well. Based on comments here, it was a good decision. However the best thing that happened was doing a week at a build assist place where I had a chance to sample multiple examples of the the basic tools. It was amazing how fast each of us students gravitated to one brand of tool over another. No idea how you might get the same experience but if you have a chance to use someone else's tools, take it.

Enjoy
 
Thanks Randy, I'll give that a shot. With our horrible dollar we really need to find the best value 👍 Haha

Lol. No kidding!

If you're looking for a DRDT2 Dimpler, Aircraft Spruce in Brantford will be the best deal by far owing to lower shipping costs.
 
Another plug for Cleaveland. I called and talked to Mike a few years ago when I purchased my kit. I asked him what most people upgrade and instead of just buying the basic kit, we got the tools that made sense.

The service from Mike and Annette can't be beat. Sure, you can save a few pennies here and there buy purchasing elsewhere, but they stand behind their products and if you encounter any issues, they'll take care of you.
 
As the others have stated , customization is your friend. I bought my base tool kit from ATS (the only reason was they had a sale going on at the time) and augmented it with purchases from almost all of the usual suspects: Cleaveland, Avery (no longer in business), ATS, The Yard Store, etc.

I only deleted 2 things from the base kit: the hand squeezer and the C-Frame dimpler. Things I added (not all inclusive): DRDT-2 Dimpler, Cleaveland Main Squeeze, Pneumatic Squeezer, tungsten bucking bar, additional 3/32 clecos, additional microstops, lots more #30 and #40 bits.

Other tools: 9" band saw, drill press, bench grinder, shop vac, mechanics tool set (Ratchets, sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc), NOTE: I already had all of this ****

I started my project with a pneumatic drill but finished with a battery powered one. The pneumatic is light weight and small, but honestly the whole project can be done with a good battery powered drill from a hardware store/Wal-mart (I like the Ryobi One+ family of battery powered tools-- get 2 batteries and you'll never be have a power issue).

For electrical work I bought pretty much everything from SteinAir.
 
Last edited:
9" band saw, drill press, bench grinder, shop vac

.. I'll add that you don't have to buy top of the line here .. Ryobi (Home Depot) makes a good band saw, drill press, and bench grinder. All of which I've found indispensable and are better quality than the harbor freight variants.
 
.. I'll add that you don't have to buy top of the line here .. Ryobi (Home Depot) makes a good band saw, drill press, and bench grinder. All of which I've found indispensable and are better quality than the harbor freight variants.

This. I'm still only working on the Emp, and didn't have any of these power tools day one. I slowly purchased the Ryobi versions but Harbor Freight would have been just as good. (Just make sure you replace the blade in the band saw with one designed for metal!)

Actually mounted all four on a small rolling cabinet that I can move out of the way. Just like others have said, you don't "need" these extra tools and could do it with with hand files, hacksaws. These tools just make life easier / produce better results.

I'll put out there that I should have just purchased one of the kits vs going the e-bay / VAF classified route. Maybe I saved a few $$'s but I also have some tools that I really don't need.
 
Tools, what an education

I am using a Makita codless drill and not an air drill. It is quieter and less trouble and adequate.
Most of my tools are from Brown Tools ( an advertiser) with a few specialty tools (DRDT2 and Main Squeeze dimple dies) from Cleveland.
I looked at doing a "tool kit" but the best tools for the least cost was only available as a combo of brown tools and cleveland offerings.
Although i would have saved a few dollars with a "tool kit" i felt I would not have got the best tools.

I started using Harbor Frieght for some of the tools, but most of those are in the trash now. Inthick all I have left from there is a work light ( that was free), a few picks and the primer HVLP gun.

My old Snap On 1/4" drive ratchet set from the 1980's ( got when I was in diapers, almost) is still going strong. Gotta buy high quality tools at the best price.
 
To mangle a saying, "Too many tools are never enough." I'm always buying more clecos and having at least three cleco pliers is a good idea. Otherwise, they are always on the other side of the longest piece between you. Get a half-dozen or so aluminum yardsticks. I've used them, along with cleco sidegrips, to space bulkheads accurately and so forth. Rules, squares, calipers - none of the kits have them but they are the thing that will be in your hands the most.

Also, start stocking up on electrical tools. Invest in a good soldering station and crimpers, a pro-type wire stripper, crimpers, and flush-cut pliers. Don't use the latter for anything but wire, ever! And get some training; soldering correctly is just as easy as doing it wrong but you need to be sure you know the difference.

The last thing is a good fastener tool set. You want both metric and english, combination wrenches (I like the ratcheting ones but they won't work in tight spaces so get the standard kind, too), sockets in at least three drive types with every kind of extension you can afford (but no magnetic tools), and allen drivers, both hand and socket. You'll find discussions in the forums about good torque wrenches. I'd start with an inch-pound click type and later, for the engine, get a foot-pound version and also a beam type.

Every time you turn around you'll find something in a difficult to reach place and find yourself buying a specialty tool. Crows feet, close quarter ratcheting screwdrivers, 90-degree drills, and so on. Don't worry about not having every possible tool before you need it, ingenuity can get you by some needs and it usually doesn't take long to get the tool you need from our excellent vendors. Also, recognize that some 'needs' are for convenience; I tapered the spar reinforcements in the tail of my -6A using a hacksaw and bringing it down to final with a vixen file ... but it was much easier doing the same for the wing spar using a bandsaw and belt sander (somehow not as satisfying, though). Anyway, the process is fun, so relax and don't worry too much about your tool set at the beginning.
 
IMO, you can't go wrong, as long as you order from a decent tool supplier. I got an Isham tool kit and have been happy with my purchase. the only trouble I had was with my pneumatic squeezer adjustable set holder, which was bent. Isham replaced it quickly at no charge. I use my snips and suspect you will too. Get lots of extra silver clecos. Get an pneumatic drill (preferably the Sioux Palm Drill). The standard one in the Isham kit is fine, but the Sioux is better (I have both). A pneumatic cleco runner is a good idea, given that you're building a 10. You will use lots of clecos and a pneumatic runner will save you time and prevent your hands from cramping up using the cleco pliers exclusively. My $0.02.
 
Back
Top