Setting up Shop
We start this story where all good stories start: TOOLS!
The original plan was to start down the path of building an airplane in a couple years when the kids are a little bit older. However, cronovirus, and the excesivie amount of free time from the quarantine, makes me think that we can do this and we shouldn't wate. Sebastian is old enough now that he really enjoys helping and we can really do this thing as a family. My goal is that the kids will learn some valuable lessons about dedication and hard work while learning some practical skills. There are plenty of things they can help with that will be great for confidence. I also have a dream that we can do this together and have something they can be proud of that will last for them long after I'm gone and they can remember how good it felt to do this together and what they can do when they never give up.
Which is why we get to tools! Getting a good space to work including the space and tools seems to be the first step in making this a fun process rather than a chore. As far as space goes, we're going to be building the initial assemblies in our unfinished basement. We have plenty of space at least until things get bigger than they get to be too big to fit out the door. For tools, I tried to find tools that are going to make construction easier but also affordable. I'm not buying the most expensive equipment when all we need is a basic tool for what we need.
A good example is a bandsaw and drill press. Neither one is technically required for building an airplane but can make life much easier to build. However, we don't need anything fancy. A really basic low cost version is just fine for what we need.
Here's what I've got as far as the initial tools:
The original plan was to start down the path of building an airplane in a couple years when the kids are a little bit older. However, cronovirus, and the excesivie amount of free time from the quarantine, makes me think that we can do this and we shouldn't wate. Sebastian is old enough now that he really enjoys helping and we can really do this thing as a family. My goal is that the kids will learn some valuable lessons about dedication and hard work while learning some practical skills. There are plenty of things they can help with that will be great for confidence. I also have a dream that we can do this together and have something they can be proud of that will last for them long after I'm gone and they can remember how good it felt to do this together and what they can do when they never give up.
Which is why we get to tools! Getting a good space to work including the space and tools seems to be the first step in making this a fun process rather than a chore. As far as space goes, we're going to be building the initial assemblies in our unfinished basement. We have plenty of space at least until things get bigger than they get to be too big to fit out the door. For tools, I tried to find tools that are going to make construction easier but also affordable. I'm not buying the most expensive equipment when all we need is a basic tool for what we need.
A good example is a bandsaw and drill press. Neither one is technically required for building an airplane but can make life much easier to build. However, we don't need anything fancy. A really basic low cost version is just fine for what we need.
Here's what I've got as far as the initial tools:
- Kobalt 26 gallon air compressor - Air tools are pretty much required for building an airplane. I'd like a big enough capacity to run an air drill as well as priming the airplane. This compressor from Lowe's is really affordable and has a really good noise rating. That's important since this will be in the basement since it's right below the bedroom.
- WEN 3959 Band Saw - It's small and inexpensive. I replaced the default band with a Bosch14TPI band for cutting aluminum. It should be plenty for what we need.
- WEN 4208 8" Drill Press - Small and inexpensive with plenty of power for what we're doing. I also ordered the WEN drill press vise for small parts.
- Harbor Freight 6" Bench Grinder - Nothing fancy. Just a spinning wheel to debur metal.
- Numatx 3K Squeezer System - A air powered squeezer is definitely optional, but seems to make the build process MUCH easier, faster and more consistent. A hydraulic squeezer, like the Numatx, is even better for about the same price. This was definitely a splurge, but it should make the build process more fun than using a handheld squeezer and a rivet gun for everything.
- Cleaveland Tools RV-14 Kit - This all-in-one kit covers the basics for the special tools needed to build an airplane out of aluminum. More detail when that comes in. It's a lot of money, but they have really high quality tools and most of everything you need to build an airplane.
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