SonexBuilders.net

For some practice, before I purchase a tail, I was thinking about doing the Vans Toolbox Kit. Just want some sheetmetal exposure before I start working on an actual airplane. I presume that that the methods and skills would directly translate to a Sonex. Does anyone else have any ideas or suggestions to gain more experience?

I took my daughter to the workshop up at the factory. It was very helpful to see the factory planes (take LOTS of pics) as well as do some hands on work on a wing section, review the plans with Kerry, etc. Toolbox will be great practice, but I’d recommend finding the time to get to the factory if that’s possible.

Mike

I went to the EAA sportair workshop and found it incredibly valuable. Yes, going to the factory is ideal, but the EAA workshops are a bit easier to do unless you are near Wisconsin.

My two cents.

In my old EAA chapter we built toolboxes. During the meetings I mostly helped others and built mine on my own time. Yes it is good. If you want to convert it to a Sonex toolbox you can use pop rivets. Mine holds my rivet sets.

Edit: the toolbox is made with solid rivets, like the Van's kits. So you would need solid rivet tools to build it.

I believe Sonex discontinued the factory builder workshops awhile ago.

hi all,
vans toolbox sounds like a neat idea, i assume it could be built with pulled rivets.
if your thinking of just starting with a sonex tail kit, i would suggest the homebuilt help dvd. its geared toward a first time builder starting out.
Not sure if the factory is interested since they no longer do the workshops, but they have education starter kits for students. Dont know if it would be worthwhile to develop a complete kit , parts, tools, hardware, to build ONE nose section piece. Would give a builder an idea of whats involved. An easy afternoon project.

WaiexN143NM
Michael

I snuck a couple toolbox pictures into my latest post.
viewtopic.php?f=39&t=578&p=35742#p35742

Awesome ideas guys! I like it.

Would be cool to make it a Sonex toolbox with pop rivets. I wouldn't be able to get away for a class anytime soon. Just trying to get some experience OJT before I get into the kit.