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Thread: Captainphx's build

  1. #1
    captainphx's Avatar
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    Default Captainphx's build

    Hello everyone. My first post on the forum. A few weeks ago my wife and I flew up to Boise to checkout Kitfox. Dave and Debra were great to talk to and gave us a tour of the factory. A few days after that I placed an order for an STi with all the options. Due in Feb, 2019. I am planning a Rotax 915is and an Airmaster prop. Right now I am heavy into research on an all Garmin cockpit G3X system.

    A little background...

    I am an A&P but I haven't worked in that field in 30 years. Been flying professionally my whole life and will retire in 5 years. Hope to get this thing done BEFORE I retire! Actually, I am hoping to get this done in two years.

    This will serve as my first post on my build. I have a two car garage and a separate shop to build it in. Anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do to prep the "hanger" before receiving it?

    My N number will be N915KF

    Looking forward to being a part of this community!

    Paul
    Last edited by captainphx; 08-07-2018 at 10:13 AM.

  2. #2
    Senior Member jiott's Avatar
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    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Welcome. We look forward to hearing from you.
    Jim Ott
    Portland, OR
    Kitfox SS7 flying
    Rotax 912ULS

  3. #3
    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Welcome Paul and congrats on chosing the STi option. Sounds like you have plenty of shop space for a comfortable build. Handy tools to have are the kind usually found in a shop. Drill press, vice, belt sander, cordless drill, air compressor etc. Most specialty items are of course available from Kitfox Aircraft
    like reamers, clecoe pliers. A pop rivet squeezer is needed. A nice assortment of drill bits especially size 30 and 40. Extra long drill bits in size 30 and 40 are handy. A right angle drill is handy also. I’m sure others will mention things that make building easier. You might do a search for more ideas and check out the sticky posts on building tips in the forums.
    Maybe have Kitfox Aircraft send your build manual early so you can start studying.


    DesertFox4
    Admin.
    7 Super Sport
    912 ULS Tri-gear


  4. #4
    Super Moderator Av8r3400's Avatar
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    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    • Good lights
    • Clean, bright floor and walls
    • A decent drill press
    • Sufficient heat/AC appropriate for where you are located
    • A wall of peg board or shelves to keep organized all the small parts
    • Camera
    • Good WiFi to keep us in the loop on your progress
    Av8r3400
    Kitfox Model IV
    The Mangy Fox
    912UL 105hp Zipper
    YouTube Videos

  5. #5
    captainphx's Avatar
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    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Great advise. I did just get my garage floors re-epoxyed and some new cabinetry. Dave mentioned a band saw would be handy.
    Paul

    Building STi
    Rotax 915is
    MT Prop
    Oratex
    N951CT

  6. #6
    Senior Member aviator79's Avatar
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    Los Alamos, NM
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    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    A bandsaw is handy, although not required. I have a cheap one, and it has been sufficient.

    You can build wing rotisseries prior to the kit arriving. There are many ideas on the forums, the critical dimension is 27.5 inches between spar centers. I built a fancy fuselage rotisserie.... that didn't work. I then switched to a "tic tac toe" frame on the front, with the tail suspended from the ceiling by a bolt and fender washer in one of the rudder bosses. This worked well. Easy to rotate with one person. All of this is searchable on the forums to find more info.

    Buy some extra clecos, and a bunch of cobalt #30 and #40 drill bits.
    --Brian
    Flying - S7SS

  7. #7
    Senior Member Dusty's Avatar
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    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Great score on the rego

  8. #8
    Senior Member efwd's Avatar
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    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Welcome to the Forum. Add to the list an air driven rivet gun. HF has some.
    I would not have been able to pull all those SS spar rivets by the time the adhesive set up.
    Eddie Forward
    Flying
    SS7, 912iS, Garmin G3X

  9. #9
    Super Moderator Av8r3400's Avatar
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    Default Rotisseries

    I used a pair of $50 Harbor Freight engine stands for a fuselage rotisserie. Works great!

    A pair of PVC "wishbones" spaced to fit into the spars and then strapped to a pair of sawhorses works great for a wing rotisserie.
    Av8r3400
    Kitfox Model IV
    The Mangy Fox
    912UL 105hp Zipper
    YouTube Videos

  10. #10
    Senior Member Delta Whisky's Avatar
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    Default Re: Captainphx's build

    Regarding the heat/AC - I put in a LG minisplit and have not looked back.

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