Jan 11, 2022     Long time no post - HS spar work (so much deburring) - (3.5 hours)       Category: Tools

Well - it's been far too long since I've updated my build log - had a mix of a lot of holiday-prep and holiday relaxing. I got a few things done on the plane, which I still need to go update yet (will likely be short notes), but in the meantime - here's to hoping to getting back on track.

I'm currently on the Horizontal Stabilizer, working on the main spar. Started today's build session picking up on the end of page 8-5 - essentially, I had finished all of the drilling portions and just need to debur a whole bunch of holes. Once I had finished that, I was at the ‘prime' step - so I added those parts to my collection of ‘things ready to prime once it's not 5 degrees outside' stack. Currently, that pile includes: HS-1013, HS-1008 L/R, HS-1007, HS-1002, HS-906, HS-1003,

Then I pulled out all eight of the HS-1004 (inspar ribs for the HS). I trimmed the four of them as requested (2 cuts on all of them, and additional 2 cuts on the other two). Then went through the always tedious job of deburring all 8 of the flanges (combination of about 4-8 different files, scotchbrite pads (gray), and the scotchbrite wheels).

  Aug 30, 2021     M12 Rivet Puller and Assorted Cleaveland Order Category: Tools

Picked up the M12 Riveter from Acme Tools - debated a lot on this one (pneumatic vs. battery), and decided to opt for the battery one as I already have the M12 system, and it gave me a little bit of flexibility in the future (not having to drag an air hose when using it).

I also ordered 100 each of the 3/32 and 1/8" clecos from Cleaveland, a couple more 1" scotchbrite wheels for the angle ginder (which are most useful for skin and lightening hole deburring), the rivet-gun dimple set adapter (just in case), a 4" no hole yoke for close-quarter dimpling, and another countersink cage (to prevent a lot of wasted time setting up the 3/32 and 1/8" countersinks.

  Apr 23, 2021     More Tool Acquisition Category: Tools

After the initial toolkit, I realized I needed some more stuff, picked up the following things between Cleaveland and Aircraft Spruce:
-Angle Grinder Kit (to help with deburring now and cutting fiberglass later)
-Longeron Yoke: Going to help with all of the dimpling coming up
-Sub-structure and Tank Dies: I'm hoping to make my assemblies a bit easier to work with, wanted to give these a shot (the sub-structure die having an 11 thou offset and the tank dies having a 7 thou offset
-Primer: When with the standby AzkoNobel 463-12-8, seems to be the tried and true option
-Some files: hilariously, I didn't have enough of these, picked some up
-Accuspray Gun: To shoot primer, probably a bit overkill, but I liked the ability to chuck a spray tip if it got jacked up vs scrubbing and playing with chemicals for hours
-Bunch of PPS cups
-1/8 and 3/16" drills - I have these fractionals in my wood working kit, but I picked up some jobber size cobalts for ease of use
-More Clecos - with the Wedgeloc's back in stock, I increased my Cleco count by another 100 for the 3/32 and 50 for the 1/8 size

  Feb 22, 2021     Toolkit Organization       Category: Tools

After receiving my tools from Cleaveland Tool (which, by the way, has been an awesome experience so far - great quality tools, solid packaging, quick service, plus it's a local Iowa-based company too), I quickly realized that I should organize all of the dies, sets, drill bits, reamers, etc.; otherwise they were likely to get lost in drawers, etc. Since I was procrastinating doing the drywall/painting in my shop whilst waiting for my empennage to arrive and prior to starting my practice kits, I designed up a few storage trays in CAD and printed them out.