Tools
Notes on tools
I’ve created this page for a friend who is about to embark on the journey of building an RV-12.
This list is “Recommended” list of tools. I didn’t purchase all the items. See notes for details
| Qty | Tool | Note | Where I bought the stuff |
| 1 | 100mm Bench Vise | If possible get the one with plastic inserts | Bunnings |
| 10 | Small (2″) “C” clamps | . | Bunnings |
| 4 | Large (3″) spring or “pony clamps | . | Bunnings |
| 350 | #30 clecos | More clecos the better | Brown Tools |
| 50 | #40 clecos | . | Brown Tools |
| 1 | 3/32 rivet dimple die set (should include a reduced dia. female die) | Better to get 2 sets. one can be grinded down for tight places | Brown Tools |
| 1 | 1/8 protuding head rivet set (tall, 1/2″ thick) | . | Brown Tools |
| 1 | 1/8 rivet dimple die set (100°) | . | Brown Tools |
| 1 | #8 screw dimple die set | . | Brown Tools |
| 2 | Flush head rivet set (short, 1/8″ thick) | . | Brown Tools |
| 1 | Flush head rivet set (tall, 1/2″ thick) | . | Brown Tools |
| 1 | #3 drill bit (5.4mm) | . | eBay |
| 1 | #11 drill bit (4.85mm) | Not sure if I had one | . |
| 2 | #12 drill bit (4.8mm) | get 5 of these | Bunnings |
| 1 | #16 drill bit (4.5mm) | . | eBay |
| 2 | #19 drill bit (4.2mm) | get 5 of these | Bunnings |
| 1 | #27 drill bit (3.66mm???) | Not sure if I had one | . |
| 3 | #30 drill bit | 3.2 mm drill bit is not suitable. get actual #30 drill bit | Bunnings |
| 1 | 12″ extension drill #30 | I didnt use one. I used right angle collet air drill. It is much easier and provedes better result | . |
| 1 | #36 drill bit (2.7mm) | buy one | eBay |
| 5 | #40 drill bit (2.5mm) | buy 10 | eBay |
| 1 | #52 drill bit (1.61mm) | I think you can use any drill bit 1-1.5mm | eBay |
| 1 | 1/4″ drill bit | get a couple of good ones | Bunnings |
| 1 | 5/16″ drill bit | No sure if I had one | . |
| 1 | Q or 11/32nd drill bit | No sure if I had one | . |
| 1 | 3/8″ drill bit | No sure if I had one | . |
| 1 | 1/4″ to 3/4″ 1/16 step drill (Unibit) | get the good ones from Bunnings. I had one from eBay and it was horrible. | Bunnings |
| 1 | 1/4″ drive socket set (with inch & metric sockets) | I bought a small set for $20 and still use it. | Supercheap Auto |
| 1 | 100° machine countersink cutter with #12 pilot | . | Brown Tools |
| 1 | 100° machine countersink cutter with #19 pilot | . | Brown Tools |
| 1 | 100° machine countersink cutter with #27 pilot | . | Brown Tools |
| 1 | 120° machine countersink cutter with #30 pilot | . | Brown Tools |
| 1 | 100° machine countersink cutter with #30 pilot | . | Brown Tools |
| 1 | 100° machine countersink cutter with #40 pilot | . | Brown Tools |
| 1 | Countersink cage | Get 3 or 4.
I bought 1 from Brown Tools and 3 used ones from eBay. The reason to have multiple cages is to have the countersink cutters installed and adjusted in them. So you dont need to adjust them every time you need to use another cutter. |
Brown Tools and ebay |
| 1 | 12′ Tape measure | . | Bunnings |
| 1 | Needlenose pliers | . | . |
| 1 | Diagonal cutter | . | . |
| 1 | Olfa RTY-2/G 45mm Rotary Cutter (or equivalent) | . | . |
| 1 | 1/4-28 tap | . | . |
| 1 | 5/16-24 tap | . | . |
| 1 | 3/8-16 tap | . | . |
| 1 | 3/8-24 tap | . | . |
| 1 | 6-32 tap | . | . |
| 1 | 8-32 tap | . | . |
| 1 | 10-24 tap | . | . |
| 1 | T-handle for taps | . | . |
| 1 | Fish scale (0-50lbs) | . | . |
| 1 | Files (assorted) | . | . |
| 1 | Hacksaw with fine tooth (32 teeth per inch) blade | . | Bunnings |
| 1 | Hand blind rivet puller “POP” Riveter PRP-26A, USM Corp. | . | Local $2 shop |
| 1 | Hand solid rivet squeezer with 3″ yoke | Get two
|
Brown Tools and Cleveland tools |
| 1 | Fluting pliers | You need them. | Aircraft Spruce |
| 1 | Combination wrench set (1/4″-3/4″ & 10mm-17mm) | Supercheap Auto | |
| 1 | Cleco pliers | Get two or three. You need them often and will keep loosing them |
Brown Tools |
| 1 | Battery powered drill | Get a good one from Bunnings | Bunnings |
| 1 | Hand Seamer | I used the set of pliers with soft jaws used for canvas stretching. | Bunnings |
| 1 | Torque wrench (inch pounds scale) | I have two. One small and one large. Large is not needed until engine installation | Bunnings |
| 1 | Left hand offset metal cutting snips | . | Bunnings |
| 1 | Right hand offset metal cutting snips | . | Bunnings |
| 1 | Carburetor Synchronizing Tool | Borrow one when you need it. | . |
| 1 | Heavy soft faced hammer | . | Bunnings |
| 1 | Aviation flaring tool (tube) | I bought my from Aircraft Spruce, but could have bought it locally and cheaper. | Aircraft Spruce |
| 1 | Tubing cutter | Get the very small one. Sometimes you need to cut the tube when it is installed in a tight place. | Aircraft Spruce. |
| 1 | Tubing bender | Aircraft Spruce | |
| 1 | Deburring countersink tool with flute cutter | . | Dont remeber where I got it |
| 1 | Multi-burr deburring tool (Royal style) | . | . |
Other super useful tools I used
- right angle collet drill
- belt grinder
- various deburring tools
- dremel tool
- bunch of used countersink cutters from eBay