Rock Fox Build

[VictorV]

One of the things Ralph and I found useful was to take the kits that were in paper bags and transfer to a ziploc
so we could see what was inside. It also helped to group items together and use ziploc bags since some of the
kits have numerous baggies with 1-2 parts and it's painful to dig through the entire pile each time for that kit.

I don't think there is a perfect solution since it seems we still have to search through a bunch of boxes to find
things sometimes.

A few other details about the build....

- G3x Touch
- VPX
- iPad for 2nd display
- Speedster tail
- Laker leading edge
- Upgraded lift struts
- Shock Monster
- Stewart Systems for fabric
- Ground adjustable prop (until MOSAIC is implemented)
- Designing the electrical system using SkyCad

Victor

[olsonCCR]

Ralph and VictorV. Congratulations! I'm about a month behind you all from taking delivery of my KitFox STi.
I just completed inventory a week ago (left everything in boxes labeled from KitFox ), and just finished building a wing stand and a 4x8' work surface. Next step is to make some brackets to attach to 2 engine stands for a rotisserie for the fuselage.
I doubt I'll be able to keep up with your Rock Fox progress but please keep posting pictures of your progress/challenges etc. and any more worthwhile tool mods!

IMG_3568.jpgIMG_3643.jpgattachment-1.jpgattachment.jpg
Looking forward to seeing everything come together.
Kevin Olson
KitFox S7 STi

[rv9ralph]

Welcome to the builders list Kevin. It is a fun process, although challenging at times.

please keep posting pictures of your progress/challenges etc. and any more worthwhile tool mods!

I do have some tool recommendations. For reaming, look for "threaded reamers", they have a 1/4-28 threaded end that will fit into most tools designed for threaded bits. I found mine at The Yard Store, they also have a Hex Drive 1/4-28 drive for the reamers. For tight fits for reaming I used this with the following from my torque driver: Hex to 1/4" drive... 1/4" drive flex extension... 1/4" socket... threaded reamer with hex drive. See picture.

IMG_7035.jpg

Also, when it's Hysol time, I found using pastry piping bags to apply. Very controllable delivery and cost effective (100 bags for around $10 on Amazon)

More later... to quote someone else... "Back to Work!"
Ralph

[Delta Whisky]

I'm just curious, seems everyone when they get a new kit takes inventory and takes all the parts out of the boxes and puts them on various shelves in the shop. I am lazy and believe in the KISS principle, so when I received my new kit I inventoried to make sure all parts were there, but then left them in the boxes they came in, which are all labeled Box C, Box D-1, etc. Just stored the original boxes in the shop in stacks not too high so they were easy to get into. When I needed a part to work on, I just looked on the inventory list where each part is listed along with the Box number it came in, went to that box and pulled out the part with a minimum of rummaging. Easy-peasy. No need to go to HF and buy a bunch of storage boxes/shelves/roll-around carts. Am I the only one to do it this way?

Jim - the short answer: no you aren't. I learned the hard way during my first build - leave the parts where you can find them. I followed the process you described and it was a big help. It is especially helpful when the parts aren't drawn or pictured in the manual or don't look like the drawing. As my dad used to say: "To each his own said the man that kissed the cow."

[olsonCCR]

Great tips. Thanks Ralph!
Kevin

Welcome to the builders list Kevin. It is a fun process, although challenging at times.




I do have some tool recommendations. For reaming, look for "threaded reamers", they have a 1/4-28 threaded end that will fit into most tools designed for threaded bits. I found mine at The Yard Store, they also have a Hex Drive 1/4-28 drive for the reamers. For tight fits for reaming I used this with the following from my torque driver: Hex to 1/4" drive... 1/4" drive flex extension... 1/4" socket... threaded reamer with hex drive. See picture.

IMG_7035.jpg

Also, when it's Hysol time, I found using pastry piping bags to apply. Very controllable delivery and cost effective (100 bags for around $10 on Amazon)

More later... to quote someone else... "Back to Work!"
Ralph

[rv9ralph]

After careful measurement of the rib placement on the Horizontal Stabilizer and Elevator, ensuring they were lined up with each other it was time to Hysol them into place. Before that.... we sanded the ribs, and scuffed the surfaces. To apply the Hysol, I used pastry piping bags, we put masking tape to keep a clean area around the Lysol (not needed). After applying a nice bead, Victor smother the Hysol into a nice fillet.


As usual on the first mix, too much Hysol. A good use of left over Hysol is to use it to fill voids around welds.
IMG_6984.jpg

IMG_6980.jpgIMG_6979.jpg

Using piping bag to apply Hysol, Victor smooths Hysol in nice fillets.
Screen Shot 2021-11-16 at 9.05.41 PM.jpgIMG_6982.jpg

Ralph

[DMMeix]

Congrats, guys! I'm exicted to follow along. How long did you end up waiting from the order date to delivery?

[alexM]

When I started out I was mixing up twice the amount of Hysol I needed (I did the same with epoxy varnish). I learned to have a list of other places I could use it up so it didn't go to waste, even if it was a project around the house that needed fixin'. You get better at judging the amount needed.

And the tape is always a good idea. One of those things you don't need until you do. Working as a team (and with some clearly demonstrated skills) it's probably less of an issue. But when you're working alone and get some unintended squeeze out you feel the pressure to continue to get the job done, but also to stop and clean up your mess. If it's a glob on some tape you can move on and not worry.

On the parts sorting discussion, if I had started with a new kit I would absolutely leave the parts kitted as they came. For those of us picking up older projects I had to go a different route. After the second time I halted my project to order some missing hardware (even just some AN3 bolts or washers), only to find I had what I needed in another bag I pulled EVERY rivet, bolt, nut, washer out of every bag and put them in organizing trays.

Looking forward to following your project.

[taff]

After receiving my kit, I sorted and hung what I could on the wall.
It made searching a particular washer or split pin much easier. Anywhere I had spare wall space, I hung stuff.

[VictorV]

Congrats, guys! I'm exicted to follow along. How long did you end up waiting from the order date to delivery?

Order was placed Dec 2020. Original scheduled delivery date was April 2022 but someone wanted to push their delivery date
out so KF offered the Sept 2021 slot to me and I said "Hell yes!".