Spent a lot of time this weekend cleaning up the garage and prepping it to look something like an airplane factory. The goal is to have at least half the garage pretty well clear of all of the garage stuff and leave at least enough area to build tail components and wings. I know getting the fuselage build in there is going to be a challenge, but I won't need to worry about that for a while. I moved the bikes to another wall, and rearranged a lot of the storage boxes. I went through all of the RC stuff that was out and really evaluated whether I would need any of it. Anything worth keeping got put in a box and put up high. The airworthy planes are hanging nicely on the wall now, which allowed me to get rid of the large table that previously held all of the RC clutter. I only left out the tools to fly; all of my build tools are put away.
I also hung three new shop lights which really brightened up the space. It looks great. And I finally pulled the trigger on a nice rolling toolbox that I have wanted for a number of years. I culled out a lot of stuff that we can get rid of. Most of it is still stacked up in the garage, but when bulk garbage comes next week I'll unload all of it and the space will really open up. Still going to need some storage for parts. I'm planning on two large steel racks that will sit in the middle of the garage to somewhat separate the airplane factory from the remaining garage space.
Next up will be work benches. Planning on two EAA style benches, probably 5'-6" x 2'-0". I'm thinking one with just a low storage shelf, and the other with two or even three shelves for parts. Based on a lot of online feedback, I will plan to let the top run long by about 3" on 3 sides for clamping parts. Definitely want locking casters. I think the floor is level enough that I won't need leveling bolts, maybe just door shims. the left over plywood from the top should give me two additional 2'-6" x 2' tables for a bench grinder/sander table and drill press/band saw table. Was considering a separate table for the DRDT2, but realized it will store below the main workbench and that I would never need it at the same time as I was drilling or riveting.
How to fit the build in essentially a one-car garage - the plan is to store completed components at my Dad's. He has a large shop as well as a nice steel barn that is unused. I figure that I will build the empennage and then drive that down to his place (~3 1/2 hours away) before the wing kit arrives. Once the wing is complete and the fuselage kit arrives, I will drive the completed wings along with the fiberglass fuse top down. Once the forward part of the fuse is complete, I will retrieve the tailcone and the fuse top. I'll build as much of that in the garage as possible. I don't think I'll be able to hang the engine with it in the garage, but should be able to get a lot of the firewall forward work done. I would also like to get as much of the interior and avionics done as possible before moving to an airport. Once I have a hangar, I'll be able to retrieve the wings and tail feathers for final assembly. I was targeting maybe Terrell, but now I think Lancaster i the better choice. They have t-hangars for less than $300/mo, almost outside the DFW Class Bravo, and only about 45 min from the house. That has got to be at least 5 years away.
Purchases: Craftsman Toolbox, shop lights