Learning Learning Learning...

[N200PF]

OK, I am hoping all of you were at this stage once too...

My wife and I have been exploring the option of building an RV for a few months now and it seems the more we search, the more we realize we don’t know! We have come to the conclusion that if we build, it will certainly be an RV.

She has actually done more metal work than I have but I have done much more mechanical work than she has. However, NONE of it has been on an airplane!!! …and we’re a bit nervous about that. We’re leaning RV-7 QB based on the seating. As great as she is, she doesn’t want to look at the back of my head for hours on end! -> can’t blame her for that!

We think we’ll will have decided by OSH ’05 and place our order there. Any words of encouragement to push us over the edge and get us started?!?

- Peter Fruehling

PS – N200PF – Tail number reserved for 200 hp RV-7

[spikescopilot]

We're glad you're here! Words of advice? Just do it.

--patti (Spike's wife)

[Dan A]

Go for it Peter! , you and your wife will enjoy building and flying it. The 7 is a great choice for the man and wife combo ,- especially if she likes to fly!.
Good luck and we are all here with lots of good helpfull hints! - - Well, maybe most of it!:)
Dan Adams
N742DA RV8 To be flying in the spring of 05.

[svanarts]

We think we’ll will have decided by OSH ’05 and place our order there. Any words of encouragement to push us over the edge and get us started?!?

Yep. Been there. You want to know the absolute quickest way to get started building an RV? Get a ride in one. I started building my RV-4 before I had ridden in one, only sat in one. After I got a ride in an RV I was definately hooked and was very happy with my decision to build an RV.

Don't worry about the skills they will come. The builders manuals are much better than they used to be and they really hold your hand while you need it. You could also sign up for some of the RV builder's classes that are offered here and there it would be a great experience for you and your wife. I'm a computer nerd and was intimidated by the building process at first but after I got into it became an old hand.

Go for it. You won't be disappointed. Don't wait for 05 either as Van's raise their prices ever year. Buy now and save!

[N200PF]

Hey I really appreciate knowing that you're all out there!

...getting a ride is a GREAT idea! I'm sure after comparing that to the Arrow we fly now will make our mind up for sure!!!

Anyone try the basic building class from Cleaveland Tools in IA or know how these people are to work with? I'm in Minnesota so it would be a short flight down but I don't know how they are with rookies?!?

Thanks!

- Peter

[Spike]

I too had been sitting on a fence for a long time despite having a supportive wife. The thing that pushed me over the edge to start down the path was something Ken Scott said to me at Osh '04. He said, and I quote, "Ya know, there is never a right time to build." Despite having friends tell me this over and over, it wasnt until then that I had the epiphany of getting off of my arse and doing something about it.


The route I'm taking and recommend is to get the "training kit" from Vans and the tools necessary to build it. By the time you are done you will have spent a minimal amount of money, had exposure to dealing with the aluminum, and will know if its for you. Im now only halfway through the training kit (after spending a good amount of time putting the workshop together) and cant wait to finish so I can start the tail.

Welcome to the group !!


-- John


PS. Half of the fun is building a cool tool collection

[N200PF]

OK, back in town now...

I didn't even know there was a "Training Kit"! I don't see it on VAN's web site so I'll call on Monday and get the info. So this is different than the tail kit?

- Peter

[captain_john]

The training kit is a portion of a control surface. It is designed to "whet your whistle" and introduce you to the practices of building a metal airplane. Please to take an EAA Sportair workshop if you can. It is a HUUUUUGE help! ...at least it was for me!

Nuttin to it, but to do it!

CJ

[N200PF]

Thanks Captain John!

Where did you take your workshop? I have heard they offer them during OSH but I would like to take it befor then...

- Peter

[captain_john]

I did mine when the show came to town in Bedford, MA. It was very well done and informative. The "practice kit" they give you is essentially the same as the one from Van's. At the workshop, you work in teams of 2. I didn't get mush out of that format, as my partner did most of the work. I requested another kit from the EAA and they sent one to me... GRATIS! Not a bad organization, huh!?!

Prior to that, I did the small, hands on one at OSH. It was peretty much bangin' rivets and dimpling. A primer, if you will.

The best thing I ever did was to contact local builders and help them with their projects. This enabled me to watch their techniques. I had a difficult time applying these newfound techniques without also having my emp kit to experiment with. Get your emp kit and tinker with it. It isn't a race.

CJ

[Akroguy]

My website might offer some insight into the whys/hows of RV building. It's not for everyone, but it has GOT to be one of the finest endeavors on planet Earth. Get a ride in an RV, or two, or more, both tandem and sidebyside. My wife actually prefers tandem. She gets the same excellent view to both sides of the aircraft. Now that we have our little boy in our lives, we need the RV10. She'll get to sit wherever she wants!

If you can operate typical hand and power tools without damaging yourself, the house, or the cat, then you CAN build an RV. Just gotta have faith, and stay committed to the goal.

Brian
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/ ... index.html

[N200PF]

Thanks again Guys!!!
I'll look in to the workshops and talk to Van's about that starter kit...boy I just hate having an excuse to go buy some pneumatic tools!!!

What are everyone's favorite brand of pneumatic tools?!? I want to know a great rivet hammer vs. the one that will give you headaches throughout the project?

- Peter

[Spike]

Peter, I restated your question about air tools over in the Workshop & Tools forum. Thats a better place for it.

As far as the training kit is concerned here are some pictures of the one Im working on








There are more pictures of it in the gallery. You can follow the link above or click here.

As far as finding on Van's site its a bit difficult. I had to look around for it. Its located here. If you go this route let me know as their required tool list is a bit off. Hope this helps.


-- John

[Spike]

As for the tool listing that Vans has on their website there are a few corrections that I have. They have a tool listing on their website here and the ones with the asterisks are needed for the training kit. I have found some of it to be slightly incorrect. Heres the way *I* would change the list. You mileage may vary ....

Necessary to complete the training kit.

• * Delete the 1/8 cupped 3.5" set. There are no 1/8" rivets in the kit. Substitute the 3/32 cupped 3.5" set.
  * Delete the 1/8 clecos. There are no 1/8" rivets in the kit.
  * Add C frame riveting tool. This is needed to dimple the skins.
  * Add back riveting plate.

Not mandatory but recommended for experience and learning ...

• * hand squeezer with 3" yoke.
  * 3/32" cupped set for squeezer.
  * Scotch brite wheel and assorted pads to parts prep.

-- John

[g_e_young]

Spike - where did you get those cool clamps with the red rubber tips?

g-

[g_e_young]

N200PF -

Take a class so you can see how easy it really is. Building is simple, IMO, it's the perseverance that's challenging for most people.

I say order a plane and start building NOW rather than waiting until summer. If you decide after building the empennage that it isn't for you, ebay the tools and kit and you only lose $500. Really, the opportunity cost is very low. That's what I did and 4 years later I was flying an RV-6 around.

Btw, why are you building a -7 instead of a -9. For 2-up cross country work it seems that a -9 would be a better choice.

grant-

[Spike]

Grant,
I got those from Harbor Freight. They opened a local store here so I went and had a blast. I prefer to buy inanimate objects from them (ie no electric or air powered tools). They are great for things like clamps, vise grips, etc. I filled my cart up with all sorts of nifty little shop helps and spent only $150. WooHoo !!

-- John

[N200PF]

g_e_young -

I am "leaning" towards the 7 but have not made the call and placed the order yet. My wife and I are still planning to head out to Van's and go for a ride in both the 7 and the 9.

However, I am leaning towards the 7 becuse I feel it a plane I can grow with in terms of light aerobatics and the option for the 200hp IO-360. I also have to fess up that It's not just the 18 kts of speed, it's the look of the 7 that has a hold on me right now as well. I can't deny that this is part of the decision.

Hope this doesn't start a raging debate between 7 and 9 builders/drivers but it's the way I feel.

- Peter

[averagejoe]

well, to everyone out there, welcome to i hope is a great new way of sharing the enthusiasm for rv building. i have had my -7QB for almost two years and i am not finnished with the tail kit yet. but everyday i do some little item to keep me motivated. for you new people starting or compliplating the start, this web site seems to be the easiest to naviagte through and the most user friendly. yahoo and the matrix gave me headaches ( i am not a tech nerd). I will though, plug on other place which over the past 2 years has keep me totally motivated in my quest to finnish my project.... dan checkaway and his web site www.rvproject.com. he is, in my opinion, the best in personnel web site builders and the information that is posted there. if you dought any thing about the rv, you truly need to visit his web site.
to the builders of this web site i want to say thank you and lets see if you can make it as useful as dans site is.

[Bob Barrett Sartell MN]

I have a training kit that I don't plan to use. I am building and RV-6A QB that has become a slow build. However if you want to drive or fly to Sartell you can use my tools and my kit to see if it is for you. I would be glad to help you and if you are not acquainted with the Minnesota Wing of Van's Airforce I would be happy to help you with that. Bob