Jur's RV7 Aircraft Factory
2917 hours and counting
Some decisions in life are bare of any obvious logic

The C-Frame dimpler

The C Frame dimpler is a fantastic device to make dimples in skins.The small dies can be substituted for any size as delivered with the avery Kit. The C Frame dimpler is also part of the avery RV kit. I have seen various dimplers from various suppliers and I have a to say that the one from Avery is the best quality so far. I said dimplers off course. The good old CFrame vs DRDT2 discussing is an ongoing pain. If you have the money, buy the DRDT2. It's very robust and silent. The C Frame is very noisy but cheap and also good for manually setting rivets.

I have build a dimpling table around this thing so the skins rest 'stressless' while being dimpled.

A compressor

Another discussion subject on most of the forums is the compressor type. I went for the Bauger 100. It has 100L tank and seperate engine and compressor. It works on oil which has the disadvantage that you have to change it from time to time.

But is has the large advantage that it is much more silent then the non-oil types. Well... it's what you call silent... all of these machines are quite noisy so I decided to store in in the cellar and get a 20m air extention hose.

The bauger 100 had 3 air exits. 2 of them where the output air pressure can be regulared by a manometer. The 3rd output is straight out of the tank.

The vendor assured me that I can spray paint a car with this. A van would be difficult but a car should definitly work. My hardest duty work for this is painting the interior of the plane and this is way smaller then a car. So I should be fine with it.
If you ever look for some tools in Belgium, I can highly suggest Stock VanderLinden in Geraardsbergen. A smaller size shop but definitly the best prices and very friendly and helpfull service. I got this one brand new for 450€. The same model was priced 505€ at another store in my city which was known for good prices. In the brand-shops you pay 550 for this thing.

Belt sander

A belt sander is quite hard to find in Belgian some supply stores. Most vendors suggest buying a handheld belt sander and inverting it.This seemed to beet quite a hasle and not very useful.

I found this belt sander from Einhell in the Brico Planet in Brussels. 

Band saw

The band saw is not a real must if you want to build an airplane. Most of the work can also be done with the grinders and sanders. But a bit of luxury in the tools never hurts. It will allow me to work a bit faster and it's one of those tools I've been wanting to have in my workshop for a long time. This one is from PowerPlus. 

Vise

A vise is always usefull and an absolute necessity.

I made the two angle aluminum pieces out of some scrap skin. Always use them to avoid damaging the workpieces with the jaws of the vise.

This one has proven to be too small after some time. I used to bend my longerons in the dies and killed the screw in the bottom of the vise that drives the two jaws.
Bought a bigger one which is much more stable.

Electric Drill

Although there is an air drill in the toolkit, sometimes you will need the use of an electric drill.

An electric drill has an adjustable speed. It can run fast for drilling or slow for screws. The resistance can be adjusted

Especially for countersinking, the speed must be controlled or the hole will become shattered.
Mine is from Metabo. A bit more expensive but very good quality.