Getting ready

[Gmoney]

I have decided to purchase a tail kit. Local builder has offered to let me look over his build and review his plans before I take the plunge. Any words of advice? I plan to take a ton of photos of the plane.
Thanks
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[MichaelFarley56]

Enjoy the journey!!

If you’re going to look over his airplane and plans, have him explain how the plans work and how you read measurements. They’re easy to understand and well done but at first glance some people don’t understand the logic. Not much to it! If they have the time and offer, a quick demo on drilling, debuting and riveting will help you.

Trust me if I can build one of these, anyone can. Enjoy the journey and congratulations!

[Rynoth]

What Mike said is spot-on. When I visited the factory for their seminar on building a Sonex (that is where I made my decision to proceed with purchasing my build), it was that process they taught of cutting, filing, drilling, deburring, and riveting a sample part that made me realize I could really and truly do it myself. That sample piece is still a prominent fixture in my living room.

Have him show you his band saw/cutting tools, his scotchbrite wheel/sanding/filing method, his drilling/deburring methods, and his riveting methods.

[lakespookie]

Going over his tool selection and some of the other items not listed in the tool list are helpful like the power tools and ancillary stuff like organizational tools etc. I also recommend a respirator when deburing when using the grinding bench and also the bending tools and how to make the few number of bends you have to make in the kit they are not many but are not well documented as far as process as opposed to resulting peice.

[pfhoeycfi]

I purchased the tools on the list before I started...and haven't found a way to stop buying more tools in the 3 years I've been at it. I have purchased so many tools in fact that I may have no choice but to build another airplane once the Sonex is complete. You'll figure out what you need as you go but it can be frustrating (for me anyway) to get to a step only to realize you need to stop...go online...and order another tool.

Good luck

peter

[Sonex1517]

I believe it may have been Bryan Cotton who said (I’m paraphrasing) “buying tools is the point of the hobby.”

Glad you took the plunge! Have fun!

Many of my tools are now used by EAA 461 so other members may enjoy them.

[Gmoney]

Thank you all for the advice! I have a small amount of experience. And tools are NOT a problem, been hands on project guy my whole life. I’ll be talking to Sonex very soon. No time like now to give it a go. A motor project I got to help out with a couple years ago. Heavily modified Vans baffling kit.
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[Gmoney]

Well, payment was processed yesterday. 4-6 weeks and the tail kit arrives. Really looking forward to the project.
G


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[Gmoney]

Plans arrived today! Tail kit should be coming very soon. Almost have enough funds to order fuse kit..
G


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[Scott Todd]

It's exciting :) What tail kit did you order?