
QB or SB?
QB or SB?
Just wondering what path everyone is taking and why? I initially was planning on the QB route, but since I want to pay for everything (except maybe the engine) out of pocket, I have been thinking the SB route may be better. More building time = more time to make & save the money for everything else required for the plane. I also think I would enjoy watching the structure come together, although I know there's going to be some tedious times involved there 

Kelly
RV-7 Empennage done, wings done, fuselage to QB stage
1947 Stinson108-1 flying
RV-7 Empennage done, wings done, fuselage to QB stage
1947 Stinson108-1 flying
- captain_john
- Sparky
- Posts: 5880
- Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 9:17 am
- Location: KPYM
I went SB for a couple or a few reasons.
Early in the game (and arguably still) I was clueless and didn't know what I wanted or needed.
The SB gave me the time to think about it and allowed me to save some money in the meanwhile to make the plane of my dreams.
Now, I am glad I went SB as I am just now, after 2.5 years of building getting a focus on exactly what I want for bells and whistles.
I think about the loot I saved and the experience I gained and I feel really good about my decision.
My $0.02...
CJ
Early in the game (and arguably still) I was clueless and didn't know what I wanted or needed.
The SB gave me the time to think about it and allowed me to save some money in the meanwhile to make the plane of my dreams.
Now, I am glad I went SB as I am just now, after 2.5 years of building getting a focus on exactly what I want for bells and whistles.
I think about the loot I saved and the experience I gained and I feel really good about my decision.
My $0.02...

RV-7
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!
Garmin G3X with VP-X & a TMX-IO-360 with G3i
It's all over but the flying! 800+ hours in only 3 years!
I'd go quickbuild if I could. I already built an RV-4. If I could get past all the riveting I sure would. The reason I'm going slow-build is that's all I can afford. Actually, I'm not even sure I can afford the slow build. 

Scott VanArtsdalen
Token Heretic
Nirvana Rodeo / Dudek Universal
S-6ES N612SV - GONE but not forgotten
RV-4 N311SV - SOLD
Token Heretic
Nirvana Rodeo / Dudek Universal
S-6ES N612SV - GONE but not forgotten
RV-4 N311SV - SOLD
Slow build for me. Dollars played in to it quite a bit. Also I really wanted to be able ot say I built the whole plane. Of course it is a kit and predriled but still I like the idea of understanding how the whole thing is put together.
I like the riveting. The only part I really don't enjoy is the priming and the prep for it. I do feel good about priming it though as I'm not sure where the plane will live in the future. Maybe here in Iowa, maybe elsewhere.
I will say that right now with the fuselage all clecoed together I don't look forward to tearing it all down, deburring, countersinking, and priming but once it is done I will be glad I did it.
I like the riveting. The only part I really don't enjoy is the priming and the prep for it. I do feel good about priming it though as I'm not sure where the plane will live in the future. Maybe here in Iowa, maybe elsewhere.
I will say that right now with the fuselage all clecoed together I don't look forward to tearing it all down, deburring, countersinking, and priming but once it is done I will be glad I did it.

JohnR
RV-7A - Fuselage - SOLD, just not supposed to be
Numbers 6:24 - The LORD bless thee, and keep thee
RV-7A - Fuselage - SOLD, just not supposed to be
Numbers 6:24 - The LORD bless thee, and keep thee
I went SB more for the learning experience than anything else. I have spent my whole life designing/building things (and taking them apart), so the more I know about the insides the more comfortable I will be doing things on the airplane. If I ever were to build a second one, I think I would go QB.
I also agree with John about the priming, if I wasn't going to be flying the thing in the clouds and to the coast, I wouldn't be doing nearly as much. BTW John, I like the prehistoric squirrel too, I actually watched the 'meltdown' the day before you changed avatars. He would make a great airplane builder, gets his teeth into something and just won't let go.
I also agree with John about the priming, if I wasn't going to be flying the thing in the clouds and to the coast, I wouldn't be doing nearly as much. BTW John, I like the prehistoric squirrel too, I actually watched the 'meltdown' the day before you changed avatars. He would make a great airplane builder, gets his teeth into something and just won't let go.
Don Sinclair
CYKF
RV-7A (Fuselage)
CYKF
RV-7A (Fuselage)
I agre that if I built a second one I would strongly consider a QB. Once I know what is in there and how it's put together I don;t need to see it twice.dons wrote:If I ever were to build a second one, I think I would go QB.
I also agree with John about the priming, if I wasn't going to be flying the thing in the clouds and to the coast, I wouldn't be doing nearly as much. BTW John, I like the prehistoric squirrel too, I actually watched the 'meltdown' the day before you changed avatars. He would make a great airplane builder, gets his teeth into something and just won't let go.

Don, Scrat may go for a ride on my VS, we're not sure yet. I like his tenacity and he just reminds me of real life. You just can't ever give up.

JohnR
RV-7A - Fuselage - SOLD, just not supposed to be
Numbers 6:24 - The LORD bless thee, and keep thee
RV-7A - Fuselage - SOLD, just not supposed to be
Numbers 6:24 - The LORD bless thee, and keep thee
- Gregg Swartley
- Class G
- Posts: 14
- Joined: Wed Jul 06, 2005 9:10 pm
- Location: Bowmansville, PA
Slow build
Ilove building and would not want to do anything to deprive myself of the fun of building.
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- Chief Rivet Banger
- Posts: 4013
- Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2004 8:40 pm
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Contact:
Amen to that Gregg. Sometimes I just want it done, but theres nothing like seeing a completed part/assembly that I did myself!
http://www.rivetbangers.com - Now integrating web and mail!
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
Current Build: 2 years into a beautiful little girl
Standard build for no reason but money! I don't dislike building but if I could have skipped all the repetitive task, I would in a heart beat. I am really looking forward to the systems, avionics and engine install! (Don't have a clue how I am going to pay for it at this time.)
Brantel (Brian Chesteen),
RV12-IS, #121606, N912BC - Building Now!
RV10, #41942, N????? - Project Sold
RV-7/TU, #72823, N159SB - SOLD
RV12-IS, #121606, N912BC - Building Now!
RV10, #41942, N????? - Project Sold
RV-7/TU, #72823, N159SB - SOLD
Sorry PK, it looks like I can't go back and add the "Who needs a darn kit?!?" optionpapakeith wrote:this poll needs a fourth choice!

I've talked with two local RV owners now, and they both say that if they did it over again, they would go the QB route. They've both said that it would be money well spent, so I'm kind of surprised that no one has voted for the QB, and only one person has voted for the combination, thus far

Kelly
RV-7 Empennage done, wings done, fuselage to QB stage
1947 Stinson108-1 flying
RV-7 Empennage done, wings done, fuselage to QB stage
1947 Stinson108-1 flying
- BrickPilot
- Class E
- Posts: 73
- Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 9:41 am
- Location: Lehi, UT
Standard build. I guess the money is part of the decision, but mostly I'm in it for the glory!
Jeff Klug
Bearhawk #1053 (QB #91)
Shop cam!
Bearhawk #1053 (QB #91)
Shop cam!
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- Class C
- Posts: 625
- Joined: Sat Nov 13, 2004 8:37 pm
- Location: Sartell MN
Quickbuild
I went Quickbuild after doing the standard empenge but I have had the quickbuild since July of 2001 and I will have to speed up to get it flying in September. I am currently wiring up the instrument panel. Once that is in I have most of the hard work except putting the spinner on the prop done. You can solve some problems by planning your wiring routes while doing the standard build. However things will always change as you progress. Don't buy to far ahead!
standard build = more fun
Smitty's got it right.... it's Aluminum Therapy for me, slow version!smittysrv wrote:I'm a firm believer in getting therapy when you need it. Dr VanGrunsven has given me perfect pill for taking my mind off stuff that brings me down.
In my 2-3 year "pre-build" phase, I convinced myself that I'd go quickbuild - no questions asked - my time is worth more than $8K, blah blah blah....
Then I built the tail. That changed everything.
I've realized that I love building, especially with my heated and now newly airconditioned garage

dave
Dave G.
Building N149DG RV-9A Finish Kit, O-320-E2A, Dual AFS-3500
Flying the restored N3689Q, the lowest time airworthy Beech Super III.
Building N149DG RV-9A Finish Kit, O-320-E2A, Dual AFS-3500
Flying the restored N3689Q, the lowest time airworthy Beech Super III.
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- Class G
- Posts: 27
- Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2006 4:44 pm
- Location: KSMO
QB. quicker if I can.
I'm in it to fly, primarily, so the faster I can get in the air short of buying one, the better. I'm also a graphics geek, and my wife programmed HUDs for NASA at Ames for a while, so this will be a platform justifying the big 'EXPERIMENTAL' banner with different homebrew flight systems (redundant to primary, of course). I also chose the QB route because when the Real Job gets cranking, I sometimes don't spend more than an hour at home and awake at each end of the workday, so the time saved is well worth the extra bucks. Another benefit to the QB is that you actually spend most of the time working on something airplane-shaped instead of those initial stages where it somehow goes from a pile of aluminum to something airplane-shaped. Some folks live for that phase of the transition, and maybe when I've got more time to spare, I'll try it, but I'm happy with the QB choice for now.
- RV7Factory
- Beanpolt
- Posts: 522
- Joined: Fri May 20, 2005 2:28 pm
- Location: Livermore, CA
SB
Standard (slow) kit for me. Why?
Because Confusious say... "It about journey, not destination."
Confusious also say... "Man who keep feet firmly on ground have trouble putting on pants."

Because Confusious say... "It about journey, not destination."
Confusious also say... "Man who keep feet firmly on ground have trouble putting on pants."
