April 6th, 2001
After several days of shuffling things about the garage, I think I might actually have the beginnings of a shop put together. I have heard from several builders that one shouldn't even consider starting on a project until the shop is ready. I believe it now!
I've quickly found that the "recommended" tool list is woefully inadequate if I hope to have an easy way of this. Among the things I've picked up beyond what the list recommends are an air compressor, air riveter and air paint sprayer. That's about $330 worth of tools right there, but trust me on this, the air riveter will make the cost worth it alone! I pulled roughly 1/4 of the rivets on the rudder, and even with that few I've made the determination that it isn't fun (and I'd look funny with Popeye arms). There are times where pulling rivets manually are needed on this project. I'd just as soon it not be every rivet on the plane! Definately NOT on the required tool list, though...
What SHOULD be on the required tool list is a good bench clamp. Don't even think about this project without one. A shop vac is about a requirement. You'll be amazed how many metal shavings you'll produce. By the end of the project, I'll bet I could melt them all down and build a Toyota. Speaking of metal shavings, a GOOD variable speed drill is a definate requirement. Don't go cheap on this item. It will be the difference between an adequate project and a fine piece of workmanship. Rivets don't work well in oblong holes. Rivets hold this plane together. 'Nuff said.
Speaking of good drills, you'll notice that the drill sitting on the work table is electric. Trying to find a variable speed air drill in the Chicago area is like trying to find pizza with artechoke on it in the Chicago area. I was about a day away from ordering one online, but I found that my old trusty electric drill spins up a good 2500 RPMs, has fine balance and cost 1/3 what an VS air drill would cost me. I'm thinking I'll stay with this drill for now.
Clips and clamps. Get them. Lots of them. All sizes and shapes. Nothing screws up your day like a part shifting while you're trying to drill it. The $30 you spend on good clamps will definately be worth the $50 you didn't spend on a new metal bit from Zenith (and the week wait to get it).
Fire extinguisher. Probably not a bad idea to have one around. Building a metal airplane isn't inherantly flammable, but I do have lacquer thinner in the area, and an air compressor that pulls 15 amps continuous. Better to have it around and never use it. A must in every shop, no matter what you're building. I've had a garage fire before (in this garage, in fact), and the reason this garage (and yours truely) still exists is because of a fire extinguisher.
True and straight 2x4x8 wood. Once your project starts looking like Pinhead with all those clecos sprouting off of it, the boards come in handy. They also revealed (and corrected) an untrue work surface. Building twist into your stabilizer and wings is a Bad Thing(tm). These will prevent that. Don't get framing timbers either. You have a better chance at making money at Roulette then finding a pair of true 2x4 framing timbers. Take it from me. I came home with 2 framing timbers. One is actually true and straight. The other is a Nolan Ryan curve ball. I think I beat the odds. I also get to go back to Menards and get a real board. Mas fun.
K, nuff of my babbling. Another pic below.
