Getting my shop set up and trying not to think about it, as that makes it seem to take for ever. Bought a few minor parts, I.E. stick grips and PTT buttons. ALso some fabric related tools. I am an A&P so have aircraft tools, just not the specialized tools to do fabric.
Gentlemen:
Everyone has their favorite list and supplier(s). While waiting for my kit, I have been buying tools and other “stuff”. Fortunately, in Los Angeles, I am within walking distance of a Home Despot (misspelling intended) and a Lowe’s. However, I made the decision to buy as many American- made tools as possible. Not wanting to drain my wallet completely, I have stayed away from the tool trucks (except for a few minor transgressions).
In my travels through the web, I found a store in Kansas City that seems to buy up odd lots of very high quality tools. I have purchased from them several times, and have always received my tools quickly with the parts being as advertised. The company is called Harry J Epstein and their website is Harryepstein.com. I have ABSOLUTELY NO AFFILIATION with this store, just a satisfied customer. They may not have everything you want, at any given time. for example, they have socket “sets” made by SK, Bonney, and others. The sets may be missing a size, but they tell you in the description, exactly what the set contains. I just bought a set of number 1-60 drill bits from them, made by Norseman/Viking in Minnesota. I believe these to be top quality bits.
BTW - Bonney was a top flight manufacturer that was bought out in the late 90’s. They were in Pennsylvania and made a variety of hand tools.
Anyway, while you are waiting, you may consider depleting your checking account by looking at their website. Just to reiterate, I have no arrangement, affiliation, or relationship with them.
Best of luck
Fred
Fred - a great find, thanks. I see that they carry the Knipex pliers - when my ship comes in (but I'll probably be at the airport) I'm going to buy a pair.
See my build log at:http://www.mykitlog.com/lowandslow/
In the middle of doing my annual condition inspection now, and I thought I'd share what I use to apply the TriFlow and LPS 1 lubricants for the various rod-ends, hinges, etc. I've found out that some people are not aware that you can buy both of these lubricants in non-aerosol bottles (at Amazon, etc.). I've found that using the spray cans is really messy for me, so I use a couple of syringes that I got from a plastic supply house here. They're used for applying glue for PVC & poly-carbonates by those guys. They work great for applying just the right amount of lube right where you need it, a drop at a time if you want. I fill up a couple of smaller bottles for convenience, then load the syringes with a small quantity when I want to use them. I'm sure others have thought of this too, but I wanted to share it with the group.
John Evens
Arvada, CO
Kitfox SS7 N27JE
EAA Lifetime
Chap. 43 honorary Lifetime
Nice idea John. I had not thought of that and could have used it. First I crawled down into the fuse to spray the rod ends and got it all over the fabric as well. Thanks. I can ditch the rag I used to pack around and under these bearings.
Eddie Forward
Flying
SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X
Great tip John. Its hard to control the amount with the spray cans. I am tired of getting overspray on my windows when lubing the inboard flaperon hinges.
Phil Nelson
A&P-IA, Maintenance Instructor
KF 5 Outback, Cont. IO-240
Flying since 2016
There are a number of on-line sources for blunt tip (dispensing) needles. Remember that the higher the gauge of the needle, the SMALLER it becomes.
Fred
Building 7SS
Plan 914
I found that most nutplates are too tight, especially when installing phillips head screws into them; its too easy to strip the head. The nutplates get their grip from being somewhat out of round, which is easy to see when looking at the threaded boss. I used a pair of pliers or vice-grips to squeeze that boss into a little more round shape, just a little at a time, then try the screw and repeat until the resistance is just what you want. Easy-peasy. Easiest to do BEFORE you install the nutplate.
Jim Ott
Portland, OR
Kitfox SS7 flying
Rotax 912ULS