REFLECTOR: Methods and Tools questions

Lawrence Epstein ljepstein at hotmail.com
Thu Oct 4 04:52:12 CDT 2012


I found a drill press and belt sander to be very useful as well.

Larry Epstein

On Oct 3, 2012, at 10:29 PM, Reiff Lorenz <Reiff at lorenz.com> wrote:

>  
> Clay,
>  
> How exciting that you're getting close to starting!
>  
> I'm only 1 year into my build, so I can't claim to be an expert, but I have completed all of the structural fiberglass work. Here are my opinions.
>  
> 1. You can build a Velocity with all electric tools or a combination of air and electric. Air tools are smaller, lower temperature, and more powerful. Electric tools are more versatile (can be used around the house and eventually in your hangar) and are easier to use together (multiple can be plugged in at the same time). If you have electric tools now, then start with those. If you have (or can borrow) a small compressor, get an inexpensive air-saw and grinder. If you end up using them a lot, you can upgrade your compressor later to handle the high demand.
>  
> 2. Must have tools:
> A. Cordless drill. You'll use this constantly, not just as a drill and screwdriver. Get a sanding disk and socket-wrench adapter for it. (I suggest getting 2 drills, so you can avoid switching back & forth between tips/bits/disks.)
> B. Vibrating tool (Fein or Dremmel's Multi-Max). Get a set of Wood/Metal-cutting blades, a sanding pad and a box of 40 or 60 grit sanding papers. (2 of these tools is also good.)
> C. Band saw with a fine-tooth blade. Essential for cutting and shaping aluminum.
> D. Shop Vac. I like this better than an air compressor for handling dust. Vacuum will collect it; a compressor will just distribute it evenly around the shop.
> E. Heat gun. For speeding the cure of layups, when necessary.
> F. Bench grinder
> G. Epoxy pump. It will save a lot of time measuring and will keep your ratios right.
> H. Hot glue gun. Great for holding things in place temporarily.
> I. Computer in the workshop with webcam so you can log into the Velocity Builders Virtual Hangar!
>  
> 3. No, there's no need to vacuum bag anything. I vacuum bagged my strake baffles, but would do it traditionally if I were doing it over. Most other parts are either (1) too small to spend the time to set up a vacuum bag, or (2) epoxied in place on the fuselage and so can't be easily bagged. (Not sure about the wings/winglets/canard; I went the fast-built route.)
>  
> Hope this helps.
>  
> Reiff Lorenz, Dayton, OH
> Velocity XL-RG, 37% complete
> Currently working on: Fitting cowl to wings.
>  
>  
> The Velocity Builders' Virtual Hangar is available 24/7 at:
> https://liveconferencepro.com/guest/loginguest.php?id=86a48563bb517ade0abf1a7ee1f38e65
> 
>  
>  
>  
>  
> -----Original Message-----
> From: reflector-bounces at tvbf.org [mailto:reflector-bounces at tvbf.org] On Behalf Of Clayton Chase
> Sent: Tuesday, October 02, 2012 4:25 PM
> To: Velocity Aircraft Owners and Builders list
> Subject: REFLECTOR: Methods and Tools questions
>  
> I'm getting closer to getting my basement ready and as a consequence
> actually being able to start on my kit.   Since I would like to
> complete the kit using the same methods I start with, I am asking the group for your collective wisdom.
>  
>  
> Has anybody successfully used vacuum bagging for much on the velocity?
>   I went through Brett Ferrell's archive and some web searching and
> didn't find much.   Someone is selling strake baffles that are vacuum
> bagged and some of the quickbuild wings used to be done with vacuum
> bagging techniques, but I don't see much about it on the list.    If I
> do go for a vacuum system some things that I think will be good to do are the main wings, and winglets and the canard.  I'm not sure that I'll be able to do the layups that are on existing pieces very well since I'll need vacuum tape and need the other surface to be airtight.
> Plus if I did a large piece I'd be concerned about deforming the piece I'm adding onto.
>  
> How much use would I get out of an air compressor?  All of my current power tools are electric/battery driven and I'd prefer to stick with more of those rather than have a mix of air and electric tools so the compressor would actually only provide air rather than tool power.
> The uses I can think of are mostly around dusting and cleaning.  I have an airless paint sprayer that may or may not be useful when I get to that stage.
>  
> I've got saws, drills, sanders, sanding blocks, levels and straight edges and so on.  I'm planning on getting some clecos (and tool for
> them).    Any other tools you guys think I should get before I even
> start?
>  
> Clay
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