Multifunction Digital Level

A must have tool for building a straight airplane.

Here is my Husky 9" Multi-Function Digital Level. It is accurate to +/-0.1 degree (Level or Plumb) and available @ Home Depot. I have used it several times throughout the project and will be using it to level the fuselage and empennage. Here you can see my countertop is sloping down by 0.1degree.... It cost about $40

Pnuematic Sealant Gun

Here is a nice tool to have. I borrowed this sealant gun from a friend to spread out the 3/16" bead of proseal on the rear baffle.

New Tools

Some friends at work loaned me a few new tools that I hadn't thought of getting until now. The top one is a nutplate jig tool. I wish I would have found out about this one earlier, it would have saved me hours of work. If you don't have one go out and get one. Its worth its weight in gold. The next piece is a set of picks or scribes. They're very helpful when you are aligning the skin to rib holes. I would also list them as a "must have"item. *Special thanks to Lee B. and Billy C.

Primer Man Strikes Again!

Getting ready to finish priming all leading edge and main ribs(minus the internal fuel tank ribs). It's August here in Georgia and that means extremely hot and humid temps. I must have lost 5lbs. in sweat throughout the day with the coverall suit and equipment on. Needless to say, prepping and priming is my least favorite thing to do so far.

Primer

I use a two-part epoxy primer from Poly Fiber for the internal wing skins and parts. It's suppose to be bullet proof and better than Zinc Cromate. You can buy the kit shown above at Aircraft Spruce for 73 bucks(yields 2 1/2 quarts) . I also used AKZO 2part. epoxy primer on the inside of the tail feathers and fuselage skins.

Air Compressor

Sears Craftsman 33 Gal, Oil-less type, 6hp/2hp running.
A compressor is a "Must Have" item for building a Van's RV aircraft.

The DRDT-2 Dimpler

The DRDT-2. This is an awesome time saving tool. It also gives you a more consistent and precise dimple, as opposed to a hand plier type or other C-frame dimpling tool. I built the raised platform to make dimpling easier. The carpet on top helps prevent damage to the skins. You can also slide the platform forward and aft to accommodate different sized skins.

Tools

Die grinder- cheap and very convenient.

Tools

Dimple Dies for the Rivet Squeezer and DRDT2

Tools

Deburring tools

Tools

Cordless Drill

Tools

Sheet Metal Clamps

Tools

Guardless with a 6" 3M Scotchbrite Wheel on the right side.

Tools

Left, Right, and Center Cutting Aviation Snips

Tools

Dremel Tool Kit- Great for building an RV

Tools

Hand Seamer

Tools

Organizers are a must!

Tools

Countersink Cage

Tools

Tools

Pin Punches