Tools for empennage

gsimatos · Post by **gsimatos** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 9:24 pm

They say there are no dumb question but I think I might have a couple and will try to put into just one message. I want to assemble my tools to start the tail section. I have many of the sheet metal tools described in the big RV tool kit so that would be overkill. I wonder if you guys could tell me:

-sizes of domed rivet set I would need/do I need off-set ones?
-what rivet set do I need for flat headed rivets?
-When you dimple a skin do you also dimple the part under the skin that -- you attach the skin to (flunked english)
-What do ya do when the old lady sees ya reading the plan set at the kitchen table and ya get THAT look!

Thanks Gary

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 9:33 pm

gsimatos wrote: -sizes of domed rivet set I would need/do I need off-set ones?
-what rivet set do I need for flat headed rivets?
-When you dimple a skin do you also dimple the part under the skin that -- you attach the skin to (flunked english)
-What do ya do when the old lady sees ya reading the plan set at the kitchen table and ya get THAT look!

Thanks Gary

1) Get some "Universal" head sets for 3's and 4's.
2) Avery sells a nice mushroom head set for cheap money. The rubber "shell" keeps the set aligned REALLY NICE!
3) YES! Always "NEST" the dimples!
4) Tell her to get used to it!

Hope this helps!

CJ

gsimatos · Post by **gsimatos** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 10:21 pm

CJ Thanks for info. I just checked the Avery site. Looks like all the goodies are there. Just never realized there was so much stuff available to help put these planes together, Thanks again Gary Pitt Meadows BC Can

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 10:25 pm

I would add, even though it's not on your list. Take one of the one day class's that covers the assembly of one of Van's practice kits before you buy anything. You'll get the chance to use most of the tools you'll be using while in that class.

gsimatos · Post by **gsimatos** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:10 pm

Thanks you guys. If I am considering the RV7 quick build do ya think I would be ok with the Avery 22 inch dimple machine versus the big delux dimpler??Also is the 2x rivet gun a good choice????Final real bone head question for today?????Do the rivits come with the kits Thanks I will look forward to your advice. Haven't felt this dumb since my first day of med school!!Gary

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:28 pm

I like the deelux dimpler. It is certainly the feline's sphinchter!

The Sioux 2x is hard to beat! The Taylor is a close 2nd!

The rivest DO come with the kit! I don't recall reading it anywhere though. Good question!

When I was in med school, things were easier than this! Of course, my specialty was freelance gyno.

CJ

bmurrish · Post by **bmurrish** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:40 pm

gsimatos wrote:Haven't felt this dumb since my first day of med school!!Gary

Oh crap, another doctor. Start stocking up on them surgical gloves. Before you know it, it will be Proseal time for you.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 11:55 pm

captain_john wrote: <snip> Of course, my specialty was freelance gyno.

CJ

Dude, that was funny!!!

gsimatos · Post by **gsimatos** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 12:29 am

Thanks you guys, the wife is wondering why i am laughing at the computer. This is going to get real wierd 5 yrs and 40,000 rivets from now but I am sure it won't be boring. Anyway with your help i think I can negotiate come reasonable tool purchases and get the show on the road, thanks again Gary

gsimatos · Post by **gsimatos** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 5:54 pm

Guys just ordered the empenage RV7...........happy Haloween Gary

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 6:06 pm

AWESOME GARY!!!

Keep us updated with plenty of pics when you start!! We LOVE pictures here!!

Happy Halloween!

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:10 pm

Way to go Doctor Gee!

CJ

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 7:45 pm

Gary, welcome to the asylum, errr.... I mean the builders guild.

Glad to hear that you got the first kit ordered!

It is a fun and learning experience with a nice reward at the end for carrying through with what you started.

Enjoy it and post photos!

dons · Post by **dons** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 1:07 pm

The fun is about to start Gary, it is really addictive once you get going

.

gsimatos · Post by **gsimatos** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 6:25 pm

Thanks very much you guys. I am pretty wound up. I think I may be able to build this thing but if you wants pics I will have to get my 10 yr old daughter to work the digital camera because she is much better with her hands than I am. I am currently clearing a hole in the work shop and I expect the goodies to show up next week. While i have you all on the phone would you prine the interior of the empenage structures??Also the dimpling gizmo, the big C dimpler, does that thing also squash rivet? It is hard not to get carried away with all this I have been dreaming up paint schemes and the stuff isn't ever here yet. Again thanks for your advice, I think this is really gonna be a hoot........Gary

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:35 pm

Priming is a HUGE topic!

I started out priming everything with self etching primer (NAPA 7220) in a rattle can. The more I've progressed with the project, the less I find I'm priming. It depends on where ya live somewhat. If I lived out with the easterners, I would've primed everything with AZKO epoxy primer. I don't, and living in the midwest priming ANYTHING is overkill. My last airplane was a 1968 Cherokee 180. It had ZERO primer, but had been in Ohio and Illinois it's entire life, except the first couple of years in Florida as a sight seeing airplane. My point of all this is, I was always amazed at looking back in the tail and in the wings (when we fixed a fuel leak). It was shiny! LIKE NEW! Ask Spike. His ol' 172 is the same way.

I still do prime mating surfaces, and all non-alclad aluminum, but that's about it.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:41 pm

gsimatos wrote:Also the dimpling gizmo, the big C dimpler, does that thing also squash rivet? It is hard not to get carried away with all this I have been dreaming up paint schemes and the stuff isn't ever here yet. Again thanks for your advice, I think this is really gonna be a hoot........Gary

Some people don't buy in to this tool, the DRDT-2. I honestly can say that it is one of my required tools. The C-frame is SO loud, that it limited my time to dimple in the evening. It will set smaller rivets without any problem at all. The bigger rivets are tough, but doable. Just the other night, I set the 470 4-12 rivets in the push-pull tubes for the ailerons.

And paint schemes??? We all did it, and still do it. I had scheme's going with the preview plans...it is an addiction. I already know I'm gonna miss building when it's done. I've already been looking for my next project...something scratch built I think...it never ends!!

Snap · Post by **Snap** » Wed Nov 01, 2006 11:43 pm

Tools for the Emp..???? Hmm.... let me think. Do what I do and buy them all. Just as much fun I think. Just like Christmas everytime a parcel arrives at the door.

jim_geo · Post by **jim_geo** » Thu Nov 02, 2006 2:05 am

Plan on making a serious investment in tools. Buy them as you need them or get em all at once the only difference is wasted time. Avery, Cleveland, ATS, Spruce or just about any other tool company with aviation on the mind can supply a good starter set of tools. Get yourself to one of the tool web sites and check out the tool sets. My short list is for starters: A lot of Cleco's, a good rivet gun, a decent set of numbered not frational drill bits, a set of files and a selection of Scotch Brite pads from Napa. Oh! and deburing tools

. Also try to remember. WE'RE HAVING FUNNN..

gsimatos · Post by **gsimatos** » Tue Nov 07, 2006 11:11 pm

Boys, my empenage arrived today. Do ya remember being 10 yrs old at Chrismas time and getting one of those control-line cox airplanes????? Well I think I musta had the same expression on my face when the FedEx guy showed up. I musta been his happiest coustomer. Gotta step back now and set up for some priming before I go nuts with the rivetting, right? First things first, Cheers G

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Tools for empennage

Tools for empennage

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