This is a list of tools for building an RV-8, from a guy who basically has no idea what he is talking about. I started from the tools list in the rv-list FAQ, and added (or subtracted) tools based on other people's comments, web pages, Van's list, from reading the Cleaveland and Avery's tool catalogs, and having no idea what I'm talking about (like, why pay $20 for a piece of steel when I can get a hunk locally for a buck). "Big tools" (compressors, drill press, etc.) are at the end. Common tools (hacksaw, tape measure) are omitted. Notes: - My philosophy with tools is that they should last; I hate spending a lot of money on a tool, but I REALLY hate having to replace crappy or worn out tools every few years. Of course, my cars are 15 and 30 years old and I still use my Commodore 64. - Harbor Freight has various air tools (e.g. Ingersoll-Rand) which may be much better value (having no idea what I'm talking about). - I like the idea of Bingelis's portable 4-way work island (especially since I've only got a single garage!), which is why all the power tools I list are bench-mounted. - I'm sure there are many other useful tools, but that they will reveal themselves during the building process. - "Recommended" should be translated as "I saw on a webpage somewhere that the Cleaveland/Avery tool was better than the Avery/Cleaveland tool." - This is a list of "potential" tools; some (like the pneumatic squeezer) are present because many people use them, not because I plan on getting one. SLJ 2/2000 sjudd@ffd2.com Tool Avery Cleaveland Comments ---- ----- ---------- -------- Rivet gun (3X) $175 (CP clone) $146 (Taylor) Avery has 1yr warranty Cleavland lifetime warr Rivet sets (3/32 & 1/8) $15 (total) $15 3/16 is for wing spar (dbl offset) $32 $24 (hence not needed RV8) (back) $17.50 $16 (flush) $11.50 $11 (swivel) $34 -- Recommended Fan spacing tool $40 $39 Bucking bars $19-$24 $22-$26 Avery bars heavier DIY for custom bars Pneumatic squeezer $535 $510 Too expensive!!! Hand rivet squeezer $95 $95 Avery recommended 3" yoke $125 $68 Some recommend having Longeron yoke $135 -- more than 1 squeezer No-hole yoke 2.5" $125 -- Universal cupped set $7 ea. $7 ea. Van's says 1/8 & 3/16 FAQ says 1/8 & 3/32 Flat set $6 ea. $5.50 ea. Van's says 1/2 & 3/8 FAQ says 1/8 & 3/32 Rivet dimple die $29 $34 1/8 & 3/32; Cleaveland Screw dimple die #8/6 $29/$29 $34/$34 dies recommended Vise-grip dimpler 3/32 $31 -- Pop-rivet dimplers $11 $17 Pop-rivet tool $28 $29 C-frame tool $130 $125 Dead blow hammer -- $46 Avery's has $16 wooden mallet; Harbor Freight has $6 hammer (below) Rivet cutter $21/$55/$99 $20/$49/$98 Drill (Sioux 1/4) $215/$225 $195/$257 2600/3600 RPM Many have suggested cordless drill instead (14V DeWalt $190 at Harbor Freight new, $160 reconditioned) Drill bits #41 $5 (pkg of 4) $1.20 (each) Van's list only has #40 $5 (4) $1.20 #40 #30 and #12 #30 $4.40 (3) $1.40 #12 $4.90 (2) $1.80 3/16 $4.30 (2) $1.50 Avery's also sells 1/4 $3.30 $2.90 B&D "bullet" bits #D $3.40 $2.70 (6/12" length) #40 $2.10/$5.00 $2.00/$4.80 Van's list only has #30 $2.20/$5.10 $2.10/$5.00 12" #40 and #30 3/16 $2.50/$5.50 $2.40/$5.50 1/4 $3.25/$6.30 $3.10/$5.90 Drill stops #40/#30 $2.25/$2.25 $2/$2 Unibit 1/4-3/4 x 1/16 $31 ($59) $30 ($60) (set of #1 #2 #3) Right-angle attachment $80/$85 $85/-- regular/mini Cleaveland stopped selling mini due to poor quality threaded bits #40/#30 $2.60/$2.60 $2.40/$2.50 Not needed until later? cheapie kit $46 (angle+bits) -- Can also use #40 12" and bend by hand Microstop countersink $26 $26 Necessary? #40/#30 countersink $8/$8 $7/$7 Die grinder (angle) $89 (CP) $87 (Sioux) Scotch Brite C&P wheel $43 $42 Need mandrel too Deburring tools egg beater $9 $13 edge V-blade $10 $4.50 hex shank $19 $11 Scotch B wheel kit $31.50 $41 (different kits) Metal files $40/$21 $36/$22 File set/Vixen $76 file kit (pretty nice) Wiss snips (L/R/S) $39.50 $38 Nibbling tool $19/$15.75 $18 Avery has two types Quicksnip -- $39 Possible alternative? Fluting pliers $28.50 $31 Hand seamer $28.50 $29 Edge rolling tool $12.75 $36 Clecos $180 $175 350 3/32 + 150 1/8 Cleco pliers $6.75 $6 Buy 3 pairs Side grip cleco clamps $1.95/$2.20 $1.70/$1.90 Handi clamp $2.60/$3.25 -- Carpenter screws have also been suggested -- cheap from Harbor Frght C clamps $45 -- 12 1" and 12 2" deep throat $11 (2 pcs.) -- Swivel air regulator $21 $19 Lightweight hose kit -- $20 25' air hose -- $18 Air tool oil $2.75 $3 4 oz. Hearing protectors $19.50 $19 Safety glasses -- $8 Big Tools from Harbor Freight (check local paper first!): 6" bench grinder $47 33886-3VGA 1" belt+disc sander $46 34951-3VGA (on sale!) Bench drill press $140 31325-1VGA (lighter duty 40554-2VGA is $100) Band saw $100 41888-0VGA (8", 24lbs.) Air compressor $350 37109-0VGA (Campbell-Hausfeld 5.9 cfm @ 90 psi) $280 35372-2VGA (DeVilbiss 7 cfm @ 90 psi; 220V version number 35371-2VGA is $359) HVLP spray gun $70 42102-0VGA Central Pneumatic, 4cfm @ 10psi $60 7909-1VGA 9.5cfm @ 50 psi $50 53181-2VGA 10cfm @ 50psi (on sale) Other Harbor Freight tools: Chicago Pneumatic air drill $68 34970-3VGA 2400RPM, teasing throttle, weighs 2.25 lbs Chicago Pneumatic ang. die grinder $50 31644-5VGA Same one sold by Avery's ($89) Ingersoll Rand ang die grinder $52 36182-2VGA Ingersoll Rand ang die grinder kit $50 35943-1VGA 10 wheels + 1/4 + 1/8 collet --- sure looks like a good buy! Same model as $52 grinder! --- Pittsburgh dead blow hammer $6 1309-0VGA Rubber? Right-angle drill attachment $20 1447-0VGA or 34211-0VGA Also has angle air drill for $52 (2766-1VGA) Deburring tool(s) $2-$10 Files suuuper cheap -- probably too cheap 50 ft. air hose $13 2167-0VGA (Goodyear; on sale) 25 ft. hose $10 2363-3VGA References ---------- http://www.averytools.com Avery Tools (read the catalog) http://www.cleavelandtool.com Cleaveland Tools (read the catalog) http://www.vansaircraft.com Van's Aircraft (RV tool list) http://www.matronics.com/ftp/Archives/RV-List.FAQ.html RV-list FAQ http://www.hiwaay.net/~sbuc/journal/ Sam Buchanan's webpage (RV-Journal) http://members.xoom.com/kevinhorton/rv8.html Kevin Horton's webpage Kevin has many useful links which I have not included here. http://www.sound.net/~hartmann/rv6atool.htm Michael Hartmann's webpage http://members.home.net/rv8er/thetools.htm Paul Besing's webpage http://www.mnellis.jnet.net/rv-6_page/tools.htm Mike Nellis's webpage John Hovan's webpage: