Hatz Biplane Association

Having built an RV 6a and now working on my Classic, I am amazed at the number of tools I needed (maybe wanted) to buy to build the Classic vs the RV.

For the RV, I used a small tabletop band saw with a 16 tooth blade to cut aluminum. That and a cordless drill and a drill press were the only power tools I needed. There are several metal working specific hand tool that were used including:

Deburring tool
Clecoes and pliers
Dimple dies
C-frame dimpler
Fluting pliers
Countersink
Rivet gun (3x)
Air drill
Compressor to run the above
Seaming pliers
Strap duplicators
Torque wrench
Small bending break

I'm sure I am missing others. I suggest you check out Avery tools to see what else is available

For the Classic, I have gone crazy with other tools:
Table saw
10" disk sander
Spindle sander
Cheap Harbor Freight metal cutting band saw
O/A tanks and torches (Victor and Micco midget)
Miller dynasty sd TIG welder (bought new in box at a price I couldn't refuse)
Dremel
Small Dremel disk saw
Small router
Die grinder
Tube notcher
Tube bender
On the wish-list: lathe

We built our house back in 2001 and I had a hunch I might be an airplane building re-affender, so I have my main shop in the basement with a set of double doors going out to steps going up to my third stall in my garage that is walled off from the main garage and heated. That's where I do all my welding and painting. Also where I will soon be working on the fuselage. If I had my way, I would have a detached garage/shop, but our area has restrictive covenants against that


To sum up about tools.... Does a guy EVER have enough?? :D

[quote="BravoCharleyWindsor"]
What do A/C builders find more useful, a lathe, a mill, or sheetmetal tools? What seems to be a good size lathe for A/C builders out there?[/quote]

You'll certainly need some sheetmetal tools along the way. I"m not there yet, but I have found the lathe extremely useful. My lathe is way bigger than you will need, but it only cost me $250 so I couldn't turn it down. There are lots of small parts you'll be making for the fuselage and controls that a lathe can do quickly, cleanly, and accurately. For the most part you'll be working on material 1" or less in diameter and relatively short so a smaller lathe or benchtop model should do fine.


[quote="Bitshifter"]
The Grizzly with an optional 4"chuck will handle a 3/4 round bar through the chuck. The stock jaws are listed as being able to hold a 3/4 tube but it will not.
The 4" chuck is also a 4 jaw style and as such it is quite difficult to center and you will need a dial indicator for that.[/quote]

A larger lathe can always handle a small part, but a small lathe cannot always handle a large part... keep that in mind when choosing one. I would get one that is larger than you think you need. If you get a lathe then the best thing you can do is get a collet chuck and a set of collets. This makes working on small pieces WAY easier than trying to hold them in a 3 or 4 jaw chuck.

Consider looking in Craigslist or some other source of used tools. Don't be shy about looking at older, well maintained equipment. My lathe is a 15" LeBlond built in 1944 and it works great. The other lathe I've used is a 10" South Bend that probably dates to the mid - '50s.

A mill is nice, but what little milling I've needed to do I could get away with by using a milling vice on the lathe.

I am working in my garage in a rather small space. I have a good size table that I built and I have used it to build the wings. The fuselage is at a friends garage on a similar table. He has a nice Tig welder and is using that for the difficult welding on the fuselage, he is also a better welder than I. I have a gas setup with a Meco Midget that I am very happy with. I have used it for all the welding required on the wings.
I bought a Harbor Freights powder coating gun and have used it to powder coat all the parts for the wing. I think that this provides a durable covering and is much easier to work with and clean up than epoxy. I can coat the parts as I make them which is very convenient.

This is most of my wood working stuff; Band Saw, Belt Sander, Planer, Drill Press and extension cords from my one outlet. The beaker trips if my wife uses the microwave and I am using anything bigger than a hand sander.
[img]http://www.edwinwhite.com/albums/album54/P1010081_1.sized.jpg[/img]
And here is the Grizzly Lathe that I have used for the compression strut inserts and the control tube inserts.
When I need more room I clamp extensions to the table to offset the wing.
The Grizzly with an optional 4"chuck will handle a 3/4 round bar through the chuck. The stock jaws are listed as being able to hold a 3/4 tube but it will not.
The 4" chuck is also a 4 jaw style and as such it is quite difficult to center and you will need a dial indicator for that.
Under the table there is a small scroll saw and a little table router.
[img]http://www.edwinwhite.com/albums/album54/P1010076_1.sized.jpg[/img]
I have the two top wings hanging on a wall and one bottom wing supported from the ceiling.
Here is the fuselage in Rays garage.
[img]http://www.edwinwhite.com/albums/album53/P1000697_1.sized.jpg[/img]

I have many more pictures on my site:
[url]http://edwinwhite.com/hatz.html[/url]

As for myself I too have a basement shop that amounts to 1/3 of the basement of my split entry house. So no ground level walk out. Everyting has to go down or up a half a flight of steps and akwardly dog leg through the front door. Not convenient. Board lumber can be handed through torso high (inside) ground level (outside) windows though. I can also work on some projects in the garage or barn if need be but then I have to run back and forth a lot to use the power tools. Which brings me to answering my own question...

I have a Craftsman early 70's 10" radial arm saw, 8" delta table saw (needs extensions, out feed, and better fence/rail), floor drill press, scroll saw, delta planer, joiner, mig 220 1 phase welder, the usual hand power tools (hammer drill, circular saw, sanders, etc.) and usual hand tools and mechanics tools. What I need is time to re-organize the shop and get it back to efficiently useful and decluttered. After that happens I'll submit a photo.

I'd like to acquire some metal working, sheet metal working tools and painting/finishing tools as time, space, and budget allow. Had my eye on some lathes recently from the small Craftsman/Atlas models to a restoration special Hendey 1x30 monster (like I need another project!). But I haven't pulled the trigger yet on anything thinkning other tools might be a more useful initial purchase.

What do A/C builders find more useful, a lathe, a mill, or sheetmetal tools? What seems to be a good size lathe for A/C builders out there?

Well, it's all in my basement, but here goes:

Woodworking:
Table saw, scroll saw, drill press, home made wood steamer, router & table, laminate trimmer, drills, numerous hand tools, clamps, sanders, levels, etc.

Metal working:
O/A welding (Mico Midget torch), Lathe (I also have access to another lathe & milling machine), drill press, band saw, hole saws & joint jigger, tubing benders, Dremel, vises, clamps, taps & dies, reamers, Vice Grip locking c-clamps, etc.

Pics of my build:
http://www.damowry.com/hatz/

I'm curious what tools builders are using. I'm particularly curious how may builders rely on lathes and milling machines, and what makes and models may be used? Or perhaps sheet metal working tools? Welders? I'm looking to add to my tool/toy stable and was thinking of some good metal working tools useful for aircraft builds to supplement the wood working tools I do have.

Looking forward to your thoughts, opinions, and photos! Yeah, post some pictures to brag up your shops please! Plain, fancy, or otherwise let's share where we're spednign our quality time! Thanks!