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Tools nobody gives you in a kit

iamtheari

Well Known Member
I got one of the RV-14 tool kits when I started my build and I have had to add a few as I go. Just last week I decided to buy a better backrivet set and now I am wishing I had looked ahead a bit. My kit has every drill size a guy could need, even the exact right one for safety wiring the trim tab hinge pin to the elevator rear spar. Or so I thought! I have #19 and #21 bits but the fuselage side skin section calls for a #20. I checked and other toolkit suppliers also seem to leave that size out.

So here I am with yet another tool order almost ready to go and wondering what else I should be ordering. I hate to pay shipping for one drill bit at a time. I am also getting a countersink extension for the battery box (although it may be less expensive to drill relief holes into the battery itself).

Anyone have suggestions I should be getting? :)
 
You?re a genius. I happened to be in a hardware store when I posted. They didn?t have numbered bits but the Ace down the street did.
 
As mentioned, hardware stores and harbor freight has drill bits. I purchased the complete set of drill bits from HF, which will be used for DIY home projects after the build.

Look for builders who have completed their plane and wants to sell their tools. Purchase everything you don?t have. Heck, for the right price, purchase items you have; it?s nice to have redundancy. My EAA Chapter was a great resource.
 
have you ordered all the RV-14 specific tools from Cleaveland tools?

Plus:
0.311" reamer
3/8" reamer
3/16" reamer

There are plenty of other things that you will find you will need through out the build.
 
Harbor Fright

Buy the full Harbor Fright set then when bits wear out or break, replace from Ace. They even order if you need special stuff.
 
Anyone have suggestions I should be getting? :)

You are gonna need electrical tools, and good screwdrivers.

Steinair has a great selection. Here are a few that I found to be very useful, and high quality for a decent price.

https://www.steinair.com/product/ratcheting-crimper-frame-only/

https://www.steinair.com/product/insulated-terminal-die-only/

https://www.steinair.com/product/bnc-crimp-die-only/

https://www.steinair.com/product/4-way-indent-crimper/

https://www.steinair.com/product/automatic-wire-stripper/

https://www.steinair.com/product/flush-cutters/

https://www.steinair.com/product/insertionremoval-tool-for-standard-d-sub-pins-mil-spec/

https://www.steinair.com/product/6-pc-precision-screwdriver-set/

https://www.steinair.com/product/wire-spoon/

Spend the $$ for good screwdrivers ------#2 size is most common (other than for electrical which is covered above from Stein) I like Snap On for quality. You get what you pay for.
 
Tools you really need....

okay, good thread, I actually was sure this was going in a different direction.
you know:

- Patience
- more space
- more money
- marriage counselor
- more time
- more hours in a day ( see above)
 
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