Tools?

[tommywatson]

Hello,
I'm about to receive my tail kit, I have no tools for this sort of work and was wondering if this tool kit is any good and if it has most of what I'll need?

http://www.averytools.com/prodinfo.asp?number=KIT-108

Opinions and advice welcome before I blow a thousand dollars ;-)

Cheers.

[Stogie6]

You may want to get more 3/32 and 1/8" clecos! Can never have enough of those little gems.

[Sonex1517]

When I began building 4 1/2 years ago I was visiting a friend who was building his Sonex.

When I asked about the number of clecos I needed, my friend and two other people answered in one voice:

"ALL OF THEM!"

You need a lot more clecos than that kit provides. But the good news is you will find them on eBay often.....

blue skies

[Sonex1243]

I started my tail sub kit with 200 each. Now I'm working the wings and am up to 300 #40 and 450 #30!

[SonexN76ET]

I would recommend considering two things:

1. Go to the Sonex Builders Workshop coming up at the factory in a couple of weeks

2. Reviewing the tool list on the Sonex website.

You do not need all the tools immediately. To simply get started you need:

1. drill
2. Number 30 drill bits
3. Number 40 drill bits
4. 3/16 drill bit
5. Curved medium file
6. vixen file
7. Medium file
8. Scotch brite pads
9. Bench grinder with Scotchbrite wheel
10. 50 1/8 clecos
11. 2 silver clecos
12. Deburring tool
13. Cleco pliers
14. Rivit puller
15. Straight edge
16. 90 degree angle
17. Some plastic clamps
20. Wiss snips

These are the only tools you will use 95 percent of the time.

As others have said, you will eventually need more clecos.

Jake

[tommywatson]

I appreciate all the input!
I'm planning on going to the workshop once I have the tail done and I have the cash for the KMT, until then I'll rely on my A&P mate to help point me in the right direction.
Thanks guys!

[Sonex1517]

I will put in a shameless plug for our foundation:

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and of course....

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[rizzz]

One thing to mention on the tools required, especially power tools & airtools.
Ebay is a great place!
Things like belt sanders, bench grinders, drill presses, ... are typical things (non airplane building) people buy, use once and then after years of neglect sell again. There are great deals to be found if you have a bit of patience.
I spent my first year looking at the new listings on ebay every day and slowly gathering the tools as I went.
I can't remember what I paid for my individual tools but apart from my air compressor I don't believe I have ever paid more than $50 for any of my power tools, most probably a lot less. People are just happy to get rid of these things, which is good for us :)

[Rynoth]

You absolutely will need an air compressor and pneumatic rivet puller for the 10k+ pop rivets. Mine is a 24 gallon capacity and I wouldn't go much smaller. Since you have the air compressor, I'd also highly recommend one high-quality high-rpm (3000RPM+) air drill, it's worth its weight in gold when drilling tens of thousands of holes in aluminum (which likes high drill rpm.) Turns out my air drill is my favorite tool to use in the shop (compared to alternatives like a cordless drill), I got it here: http://www.panamericantool.com/novar-co ... drill.html

A band saw is also required.

[mike.smith]

You absolutely will need an air compressor and pneumatic rivet puller for the 10k+ pop rivets. Mine is a 24 gallon capacity and I wouldn't go much smaller. Since you have the air compressor, I'd also highly recommend one high-quality high-rpm (3000RPM+) air drill

I will offer a different opinion on those two items. I had the big ass air compressor from Harbor Freight for my entire build. It was an oiled compressor which is supposed to be quieter than an oil-less. But wow, was it loud! I now own a 3 gal, 1.5 hp Kobalt compressor from Lowes. It is VERY quite, and recharges quickly because it's a small tank. Now that I am not building it is infinitely more useful around my house, and I can toss it in the back of my car to take it to the airport. So you could consider a nice quality unit like this.

As for the air drill, I used mine for a week or two, then realized it was not necessary and was a PITA to use even with my big ass compressor. It uses air too fast, and the tank took a long time to recharge, and it was just cumbersome to drag that darn hose around. And it was loud! I used a cordless drill and my drill press for my entire project and, at least for a Sonex, would never consider anything other than a cordless drill. I had two batteries so that one was on the charger at all times.

Just my opinion.