July 2008 Archives
The tool kit from Isham arrived minus the DRDT-2 dimpler which was backordered. Details can be seen on the tools page.
The DRDT-2 dimpler arrived today. This tool is awesome; it makes perfect dimples and is quiet. With a new baby in the house, I'm doing everything I can to reduce the noise I make while building.
Before attending the SportAir Sheet Metal class, I thought I'd try building Van's toolbox practice kit. My dad and I knocked this out in about six hours (which seems really slow, but aluminum construction was pretty new to both of us). It was a good introduction because it was fairly simple but had examples of several different skills that will be used to construct the actual plane.
Here's the inside.
The front edge was riveted on using universal rivets.
The lid is held on with a piece of aluminum hinge. These hinges are used in a number of spots on Van's aircraft.
