Tools

I've done a lot of research into the tools required to build the RV-10.  There are a few companies that sell full sets that you can buy in one fell swoop.  I'd like to spend a little less and get more for my dollar, so I did a lot of hunting.

The main source of my tools actually came from my wife.  Her ex-coworker's brother-in-law had built an RV-8 about 10 years ago and recently sold it.  We worked out a deal and we met in the middle which was a two hour drive for both of us.  This is what I ended up with.  Not pictured is a toolbox I got also.


There's a TON of stuff in there, I think this was a real good deal for around $1200.  On top of that the seller was an extremely cool guy, retired from flying wide bodies, current corporate pilot.  We had dinner and split, but I could have talked with him for hours.

I picked up a used squeezer ($400) and angle drill($100) on ebay.  Squeezer bodies alone are $600, and this one came with adjustable set, quick pins and a 3" yoke.  It was used to build the tail and wings of a Glassair Sportsman by a couple in Wyoming. The DOTCO drill sells new for $1000.

Here's the DRDT-2 dimpler.  Heavy beast.  I made a side shelf on one of the benches to mount it to instead of building tables to support the skins while you dimple.

Here are some test dimples.  I adjusted it so that the dimple ties touch the skin to be dimpled, then drop the ram another half turn to put a good clamp down.  This half-turn setting was found by some experimentation.  I tried different settings between having the dimples just touch the skin all the way to a half-turn of clamp-down.  Each time a precision square was laid across the dimple to see how much the skin was deflected.  1/3 turn left some deflection on both #30 and #40 holes, 1/2 turn seemed to make it as straight as it was going to get. I read online that the "halos" are ok and it means you are creating a full dimple.

Here is the band saw I'm using.  It technically on long term loan from my dad.  Bought a new blade for it, here's the info:
29785D2B41425 Diemaster 56-1/8 in (4 ft 8-1/8 in) x 3/8 x .025 x 10/14tpi VR

It's a 3/8 blade and probably stretches the limit of what the saw can handle, but it sure cuts the AL like butter.

This is a bucking bar made from nearly pure tungsten.  Its amazing dense.  This little guy weighs 1.5lbs, more than the steel ones that are significantly bigger.  Expensive, but really helps do the job better.