Pietenpol-List: Tools

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Pietenpol-List: Tools

Post by matronics »

Original Posted By: Ken Beanlands
Thanks, Steve and Ian, for the tips on what tools were most handy foryour projects. Helps keep things inside that imaginary budget!Just got the BPA newsletter last night, wife says it is just as bad aswhen Sport Aviation and the Experimenter arrive on the same day! Caughther reading it too, though!Last few weeks we had Lancaster air races and Edwards AFB open house,not a single Piet flew in for display. Have to do something aboutthat. Did get to watch and hear an SR-71 at Mach 3, as much as you cansee a dark airplane at umpteen thousand feet. Airshow season over, timeto build!Mike________________________________________________________________________________
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Pietenpol-List: Tools

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Original Posted By: "Jack Phillips"
Subject: Pietenpol-List: ToolsKip: The one tool I found most valuable was the 3X36 belt-6"disc benchtop combo sander. Cut your "sticks" close with he saw then sand to aperfect shape with the disc. Bought mine at Sears for around 80 bucks onsale. Leon S.________________________________________________________________________________
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RE: Pietenpol-List: Power tool advice

Post by matronics »

Original Posted By: Sncliffe(at)aol.com
So, I'd like some advice about tools, mostly power tools; I have a goodselection of power & non-power hand tools & non-power woodworking tools.Took a look at a few things at ye olde Home Depot today that got the brainturning. I am assuming the following are helpful, if not essential, anycomments?1.) A good vise for bending fittings, etc. - how big is big enough?2.) Drill press - HD had a 10" Ryobi benchtop model with 1/2" chuck forabout $100.00 - big enough/good enough?3.) Table saw - based on comments on the list in the past few weeks, soundslike a real useful item. HD had a 10", 15amp Skil for about $200. Commentson size or other considerations?4.) Bandsaw - Again, sounds real useful. Anyone have any feelings about theminimum useful throat height &/or other considerations? HD was selling aDelta with 10" throat for $300.Any other big-ticket tool items that people have found that they can't livewithout?Thanks one & All!Kip Gardner (off to my first EAA chapter meeting since landing in OH)Kip, each to his own as they say, but I would have the following commentsabout your list:1. Vise - mine is 5" and has been big enough for everything except bendingthe tailwheel spring. I broke it doing that (didn't know you could break avise).2. Drill press - Buy the best you can afford, but don't go crazy with it. Irecommend the "Center-It" jig that Aircraft Spruce sells for accuratelydrilling holes in the center of tubing3. Table Saw - Here is where you need to spend as much as you can. Buy agood brand, like Delta or Jet. Plan on spending at least $300, and the moreyou spend the happier you will be. The happiest day I've had since Idivorced my ex-wife was the day I GAVE AWAY my old Sears table saw andbought a Delta.4. Bandsaw - mine has a 12" throat and there have been several times that ithas been too small. I think a 10" could work, but you will cuss it some.5. Belt Sander with a sanding disc - Very useful. I would not considerbuilding a wooden plane without one.6. Metal Cutting Bandsaw - Really nice for cutting out fittings. Again, Iwould not consider building a wooden plane without one (it's amazing howmany metal parts there are in an all-wood airplane). I bought a cheapGrizzly 6" bandsaw for about $200 and it has served me well. Again, thethroat is too small so you have to plan around that and sometimes waste abit of material. Beware of some saws advertised as "metal-cutting". If theblade can't be slowed down to around 80 inches per minute it will be toofast to cut chromoly steel. Buy the slowest one you can find, with thelargest number of teeth per inch on the blade. I find the Bimetallic bladeslast about 10 times as long as regular blades, and only cost three times asmuch.Just my two cents worth.Jack________________________________________________________________________________
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Pietenpol-List: Tools

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Original Posted By: Michael D Cuy
Subject: Pietenpol-List: ToolsI used my great-grandfather's draw knife for shaping the landing gear struts for my Piet. My dad gave it to me about a year ago -- I noticed it has 1836 stamped/engraved in the blade. It is in excellent condition although obviouslyused quite a bit. While working with it I wondered what g-grampa would think about building an airplane! And I wondered what he would think about airplanesperiod! Was very satisfying to use that tool. Anyway, a good sharp draw knife works very nicely, even on white ash landing gear struts -- practice on some scrap lumber -- you have to be aware of the direction of the grain and you musthave your work secured tightly. Be very careful! While I was working on the elevators last night I was thinking that another tool that I consider indispensable is a good shop vac. You have to keep your work area clean -- and you do not want sawdust getting into glue joints. I usemy vac every time I'm getting ready to glue parts together -- I literally vacuum the pieces to make sure there's no dust on the surfaces. Fred B.La Crosse, WI ________________________________________________________________________________Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2006 09:03:31 -0400
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Re: Pietenpol-List: Gussets and Sanding

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Original Posted By: Hans Vander Voort
I was talking with someone the other day who said not to sand members being joinedby gussets because the dust clogs the pores of the woods and prevents gluefrom penetrating. Tony Bingelis says you MUST file everything being joined tolevel all members in the joint. OK to sand/file and use a tack cloth to extractsawdust? Clean with mineral spirits and let dry? Do either leave a residuethat would inhibit a good strong joint?--------Glenn ThomasN?????http://www.flyingwood.comRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Gussets and Sanding
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RE: Pietenpol-List: Gussets and Sanding

Post by matronics »

Original Posted By: "Bill Church"
Glenn,I was told a lot of the same.But I suggest you find a method that works for you and just try it.Make some test pieces out of scrap, let the glue cure and then break it.I did, and all cases the wood broke not the glue joint.I used T 88 epoxy.It is great confidence builder.Keep buildingHans________________________________________________________________________________Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Gussets and SandingDate: Tue, 4 Apr 2006 10:55:55 -0400
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Re: Pietenpol-List: Gussets and Sanding

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Original Posted By: "Glenn Thomas"
Use a scraper instead of sanding.I did some glue tests using Aerolite and birch ply that had been neither scraped nor sanded. None of them failed at the Aerolite glue joint.Greg Cardinal----- Original Message -----
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Pietenpol-List: Gussets and Sanding

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Original Posted By: Galen Hutcheson
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Pietenpol-List: Re: Gussets and Sanding

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Original Posted By: Michael D Cuy
Good info. I wondered about the gussets too. They get handled quite a bit duringthe cutting and edge-sanding process and thought they could benefit from cleaning/rougheningdue to their smoothness and picking up oils from skin duringhandling. I think I'll break a couple to see how they hold up. That IS a goodconfidence builder. The build and break approach should teach me somethingabout strength.I noticed (building models) that if you apply too much force with the tack ragthat stickiness from the rag can end up on the surface you're cleaning. I'veused mineral spirits on a hardwood floor I put in and it didn't seem to leaveanything behind and you could see traces of sawdust on the rag even though thefloor seemed clean to the naked eye and to the touch. Was curious if mineralspirits completely evaporates or leaves any kind of oil behind.Thanks--------Glenn ThomasN?????http://www.flyingwood.comRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Tue, 04 Apr 2006 11:57:40 -0400
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Pietenpol-List: Tools

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Original Posted By: "Barry Davis"
I'm thinking about getting a shop press. Seems like it would be a handy itemfor the metal work. What's the best size to get for a Piet project?--------Glenn ThomasN?????http://www.flyingwood.comRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________
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Re: Pietenpol-List: Tools

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Original Posted By: "Glenn Thomas"
Don't think we ever used one on our 6 Piets. Now... the tabletop belt sander is another story... used for wood or steel it is the most used tool in our shop, sometimes you have to wait in line to use it.Barry----- Original Message -----
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Re: Pietenpol-List: Tools

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Original Posted By: "Barry Davis"
I agree the table top belt sander is a must have item in my shop.Chris TracySacramento, Ca----- Original Message -----
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RE: Pietenpol-List: Tools

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Original Posted By: "Phillips, Jack"
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RE: Pietenpol-List: Tools

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Original Posted By: "Bill Church"
So, I take it, that all the bending can simply be done with a vise? I thoughta press and a die would be necessary to get good clean bends in control horns,fittings, etc. I guess I can save the money (and shop space).Thanks!--------Glenn ThomasN?????http://www.flyingwood.comRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: ToolsDate: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 12:08:09 -0400
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Pietenpol-List: Re: Tools

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Original Posted By: Michael D Cuy
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Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: Tools

Post by matronics »

Original Posted By: "Glenn Thomas"
Glenn,Me and my buddy Paul are just starting to work on the fittings of variousthickness 4130. Make a bending block per Tony Bengelis. That, and amallet, are all you need to cold-bend fittings (all the way up to .0125!).Alan----- Original Message -----
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RE: Pietenpol-List: Re: Tools

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Original Posted By: "Phillips, Jack"
I went to the Lee Valley site and added a few things (including the vise dies)to my wish list. Thanks again Bill.I've been going through one of the Tony Bengelis books but haven't hit that topicyet. I'll look for it tonight. Thanks Alan. Actually thanks to all. When it comes to tools it's easy to get carried away!--------Glenn ThomasN?????http://www.flyingwood.comRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Re: ToolsDate: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 13:29:26 -0400
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RE: Pietenpol-List: Re: Tools

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Original Posted By: "Phillips, Jack"
Thanks Jack,I've got the four books but I've been reading the Sportplane Builder as my lastbit of Piet activity every night before I hit the sack. It seemed like the logicalfirst book to read. I have a long flight to Asia in a couple weeks soI'll bring all 4 of them and see how far I get. Will definitely hit the SportplaneConstruction Techniques tonight. I'm working on the ribs still, but wantto order my metal so I can get started on the wing metal parts soon. Thiswill align me for completing the wing project this summer (hopefully).Thanks--------Glenn ThomasN?????http://www.flyingwood.comRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: RE: Pietenpol-List: Re: ToolsDate: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 13:56:40 -0400
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Pietenpol-List: Re: what holds up a project

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Original Posted By: "walt evans"
I hear that! I basically work on the project on weekends. To justify a solidday of the weekend on the Piet, I feel an obligation to be a husband the otherday. (1 day a week!!!) Son is now in college so no hockey/lacrosse to causefurther time away from project. I have learned to tuck Piet time into free hourblocks that are not consumed by other things. Early mornings (no power tools)and late evenings are good quality Piet time. You will see shop lights onwell into the morning hours if I'm on a roll. Time mgmt is a bigger part ofthis than I previously thought.--------Glenn ThomasN?????http://www.flyingwood.comRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Fri, 28 Apr 2006 15:37:48 -0400
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Pietenpol-List: Re: Tools

Post by matronics »

Original Posted By: "bdewenter"
Wholly smoke! Beautiful tank and must be 48" wide?Anyone for piet-piet in flight refueling at Brodhead?--------Bob 'Early Builder' DewenterDayton OHRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Tools
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Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: Tools

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Original Posted By: Ned Lebens
Thx for the + comments.... The tank is 41" wide and by rough calculations should hold about 21 gallons.....Want to keep the fuel system as simple as possible so one tank instead of two.....--------Jake Schultz - curator,Newport Way Air Museum (OK, it's just my home)Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Tue, 25 Aug 2015 11:23:19 -0500Subject: Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: Tools
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Re: Pietenpol-List: Re: Tools

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Original Posted By: Ned Lebens
Now you need these! I have been using the 800, 1200and 8000 for many years. They cut fast and you don'twant to even glance at the edge left by the 8000. Itwill cut your eye! :-)http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 2,67175And this little thing to slurry the 8000 before using it.http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.a ... 74&ap=1The sharpenning box is full of water. When not in usethe 800 and 1200 are submerged in the water, notthe 8000. I dip the top of that in the water then rubthe nagara over it to raise a slurry.Make sure you mirror finish the flat side of planeand chisel blades before working on the bevel side.Remember, the sharper the blade, the safer it is.ClifWorking on wood wing struts."If I have eight hours to chop down a tree, I will spendthe first six sharpening my axe." ----- Original Message -----
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w.ca>=0ADate:Wed, Aug 26, 2015 at 1:42 AM=0ARe: Pietenpol-List: Re:

Post by matronics »

Original Posted By:six sharpening my axe."=0A=0A----- Original Message ----- =0A=0A Ned L
Tools=0A=0ANow you need these! I have been using the 800, 1200=0A=0Aand 8000 for many years. They cut fast and you don't=0A=0Awant to even glance at the edge left by the 8000. It=0A=0Awill cut your eye! :-)=0A=0Ahttp://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=6 ... 5=0A=0AAnd this little thing to slurry the 8000 before using it.=0A=0Ahttp://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=5 ... -=0A=0AThe sharpenning box is full of water. When not in use=0A=0Athe 800 and 1200 are submerged in the water, not=0A=0Athe 8000. I dip the top of that in the water then rub=0A=0Athe nagara over it to raise a slurry.=0A=0AMake sure you mirror finish the flat side of plane=0A=0Aand chisel blades before working on the bevel side.=0A=0A-=0A=0ARemember, the sharper the blade, the safer it is.=0A=0A-=0A=0AClif=0A=0AWorking on wood wing struts.=0A=0A-=0A=0A"If I have eight hours to chop down a tree, I will spend=0A=0Athe first
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