Build empennage with hand tools???

[Aerobat232]

Does anyone think it would be possible to build an empennage kit in an apartment using non-powered(ie..not loud) tools? I don't think my neighbors would appreciate a rivet gun in my apartment building. I'm thinking about either an RV-4 or RV-8. I would like to get started soon, but cant afford to rent a workshop of any kind or buy a house yet. I'm willing to devote some time to assembling with hand tools in order to save up some money for the remainder of the plane, and a place to build it.

If possible, what tools would get the job done??? Any special hand tools to replace the rivet gun???

Thanks in advance
Aerobat232

[4kilo]

I am building an RV-8 in my apartment. There are a few rivets in the empennage which must be driven (loudly), but the bulk of the construction can be done fairly quietly. By being careful about what time of day I create the noise I must, so far I have not received any complaints.

Most of the holes in the empennage may be drilled with an electric drill, so although an air drill is more convenient most of the time, it is not absolutely neccessary. I have been using a battery operated drill motor for most of my work.

Most of the standard tools are not all that loud, with the exception of the stuff which must be pounded with a hammer. Again, judicious timing will help a lot, or you might save all of the pounding and take the materials someplace where you can make noise without offending anyone.

Another major problem is priming. Applying any type of paint in an apartment is right out, and primers are especially bad. Make sure you have some place you can take things when you need to apply the primer.

Pat

[captain_john]

Balconies were BUILT for spraying primer!



Seriously, if I were you I would get the -8 due to the prepunched parts and simpler construction. It would be certainly be quiet enough for your environment. Occasional pounding would be necessary, but for the most part you could hand squeeze the bulk of it.

Besides, the -8 is virtually "jig-less".

The Avery thin nose, no hole would be a necessary item. Perhaps a Cleaveland "Main Squeeze" if you want to try another style. They say they are really nice.

Go for it! Your neighbor may hear the banging and come up to help!

CJ

[Dan A]

I know of a navy pilot who built his RV 4 empenage on board the USS Nimitz in 1993 in his stateroom! I saw it when I was aboard for a Tiger cruise with my youngest son. For air he used a 10 gallon tank that he would fill in the nearest shop when he needed air for his rivit gun. He used only a few hand tools and the rivit gun. the parts hung where ever he could find a place for them.

You can accomplish almost anything you want with a little imagination.

Dan

[Steve]

You can do it if your neighbors don't mind the sound of a hammer lightly hitting the arbor on the C-frame dimpler a few hundred times. Schedule the riveting (with the rivet gun and compressor) of the skins to skeleton and ribs when the neighbors are gone. Deburring and squeezing rivets are quiet operations.

[Aerobat232]

Thanks for the advice. Driving a few rivets with a gun while the neighbors are away probably won't be much trouble. Most of them are gone during the day and I work nights, so having a few hours every once and a while to make some noise might just be possible.

I am leaning towards the -8 for the match hole anyway, but $$$ is a factor so the -4 is still being tossed around in my mind(and it's sexier ).

Hopefully I'll be able to afford the tail kit by this Oshkosh and start banging some metal.

[Bob Barrett]

You will absloutly have to use a rivet gun to put the skin on any RV empenge. Follow the suggestion about doing your rivets when the immeidate neighbors are out. Buy a prepuched kit RV-7; 8; or 9. It will save time and speed the process.

[Spike]

Hey Welcome Bob. Glad to see that you were able to get logged in

-- John

[captain_john]

Oh yes, and another thing. Get the DRDT dimpling tool from Paul Merems.

Paul is building an RV and has designed a really nice (SILENT) dimpling tool. It is large and realtively expensive, but really a slick machine and worthy of the slightly higher cost. You won't need the Avery "Smash" dimpler if you buy this one.

Paul's site is www.experimentalaero.com and on those pages you will find info on buying and or building the DRDT. I welded my own DRDT together and purchased the plans and "Front End Kit" from Paul. Paul accepts Paypal, so I sold a bunch of stuff on ebay first and paid Paul with that money. The steel, well I found some scraps for free. All I had to "pay" for was paint and dies.

I will take a picture of my DRDT. Paul had asked me for one a while ago and I failed to send it, so it is about time I do so.

Look into it. You will be pleased.

CJ

[Ron]

I used this dimpler and it is the BOMB

[arffguy]

If you build an RV-4 you will definitely need an empennage jig. Factor in the cost and time to make, the space required, all the holes you have to lay out by hand then drill and the prepunched kits suddenly get cheaper and easier. How do I know? I am building an RV-6 from an old 1990 kit. Also I can't imagine trying to rivet a HS together without a rivet gun. Do you happen to have somewhere to go (like a builders group, EAA group or buddy's hangar) to do your noisy work? Half the fun of doing this experience is the camaraderie of the builders group anyway. If you aren't in one I would suggest you find or create one. Good luck.

[captain_john]

BTW, here is a pic of my $12 DRDT-1.

I just LOVE IT!



CJ