Tools – PH-MNX

Training project finish

ph-mnx — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 17:19:19 +0000

My dad came over and also wanted to “train” on the RV Training project. We drilled some rivets out just to hammer them in again. The biggest problem is the last two rivets on each rib at the trailing edge (narrow) side. We tried several methods, in the end just using the squeezer and holding the flanges open is the best way for us.

Rolling-up the front side actually was very easy and went great. Using a broom stick and duct-tape, as advised, gave a good result.
Double flush (back-)riveting is harder. We riveted every other rivet from opposite sides. My hypothesis is that this would increase strength. However looking at the result, on the “real” trailing edges I’ll probably do the double flush on the bottom side and use epoxy resin to cover the ridges.

The RV Training project was very helpful in finding out the things you didn’t know or couldn’t do. I’ve created a separate page with all the things I learned during the whole project.

Video

Training project Assembly

ph-mnx — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 18:04:04 +0000

After priming I can start today with assembling and riveting. My dad still had an armor steel plate from the army (he retired decades ago). It’s 8mm thick and I can use MDF to embed it so I get a nice back-rivet table.

The back-rivet results are prefect. Which makes it painfully obvious that riveting with the bucking bar is much harder. Well at least I can practice drilling out rivets.

The biggest mistake I made was thinking that I was proficient enough in dimpling with the squeezer, so I could speed things up. I missed the hole and pushed the lever next to it. If there are any doubts in how hard a squeezer can squeeze. Well, it punches right through the flanges of the ribs. Maybe I can cut time by not drilling, but just punch and dimple in one swoop.

Really glad this is the training project and NOT my actual Empennage rib.

Video

Training project 2

ph-mnx — Wed, 20 Sep 2017 20:43:38 +0000

The second part of the RV Training project consists of building a short section of control surface. The plans mentioned using the 12″ drill, however since the control surface itself is small a misunderstood it as a #12 drill. Since that hole needs a AN4126AD3-4 rivet, there is no way I’m going to use the #12. After reading it for the fifth time finally my brain saw the 12″ instead of the #12.

I’ve got everything assembled, match drilled, partly dimpled and scuffed ready for priming. I want to see the results of dimpling before priming and dimpling after priming.

Speaking of priming, today I also created a spray booth.

Video

Training project

ph-mnx — Sun, 17 Sep 2017 09:06:34 +0000

With the Empennage kit, I also ordered the RV Training project. This small sample project consists of two tasks that allow you to get familiar with the documentation style of Van’s, the materials in the kits and your tooling. Turns out following the plans and riveting looks easier on YouTube than it is.

It’s a good thing I ordered this RV Training project, in the first 3 steps task I already drilled a few holes too big, didn’t give the pilot of the countersink bit room and didn’t fasten the countersink ring (which is really bad). Also the flush swivel rivet set is jumping all over. Result: the first part of the RV Training project is FUBAR.
Well it gave me the change to practice rivet drill and test the snips. So I decided to also drill the other side and practice some more with the rivet gun.
I’m a little anxious to start on the second part of the RV Training project, so let’s do some more practicing.

Video

Tools arrived

ph-mnx — Wed, 13 Sep 2017 10:06:02 +0000

Today the Isham Oshkosh Full RV Tool Kit cleared customs at Schiphol Airport. So I dashed off to Oude Meer (old Fokker terrain) to get the boxes from the warehouse.

After unpacking and taking inventory, I can start cleaning up the tools.

The DRDT-2 needs to be assembled and the pneumatic tools (drill, rivet gun and squeezer) need an Euro-1/4″ plug to connect them to the compressor.

Tools

ph-mnx — Fri, 18 Aug 2017 20:16:51 +0000

In order to build an RV-7, you need a considerable set of tools. The generic ones, such as a compressor, I already had. However the specialized pneumatic tools for building an aluminum plane, I had to buy. You can choose to buy every single tool individual, or find a complete tool kit. I found the Isham RV Aircraft Tool Kit.
It’s pretty high-end and provides everything I was missing in my Tool collection.
Shipping however was not that easy.