New Plans Built Plans Holder

[Hercpilot]

Wanted to introduce myself in the plans-built sub. Currently wrapping my head around the scale of this endeavour! Will definitely take any input/feedback moving forward. I do have some sheetmetal experience but no real tube and fabric experience to lean on. We have some active EAA chapters nearby with some great Tech Counselor types with extensive commercial/military airframe and powerplant experience that I will be engaging! Thanks in advance!

Justin Walker
OKC, OK

[rodsmith]

Welcome to the forum! You will find all kinds of help here. As an owner of a mostly plans built Bearhawk, I can tell you it is a big project, but totally doable with enough determination.

[sjt]

You did not say which plans your have.

Alaskabearhawk pointed me to an Art ProFolio
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009R8XD..._b_fed_asin_title_15&th=1

Probably your goto place for aluminum is just north of Dallas Tx
Aircraft Spruce - CENTRAL
215 Fairway Dr., Ste. 100
Roanoke, TX 76262


I found a 10 foot brake at an EAA chapter. Keep an ear out for which chapters have a 10 foot brake. Also consider chapters in the Dallas area.


This is my favorite website for learning from B-Spot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALZ91l4iUtk&list=PLWY4f_BKuRl7UzNJb7MycGhk uhxiVyrIC



The router table is the most useful item in the beginning. I have a 2 hp router that has been modified to be used upside down.
a4.jpg a5.jpg
I also bought from amazon a 1/2" upcut spiral bit

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0012JF0DA?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_ti tle_2

I eventually bought a 1/4 upcut bit
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096HD7753?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_ti tle_1&th=1


Your router will not survive unless you wrap in plastic and minimize run time.
a6.jpgIn truth this is my second router. Guess what I did not do to the first router.


In general buy aluminum 12 foot sheets.

Although you start with enough .032 to make a template
a9.jpg


a7.jpg a8.jpg This is the glue you need to attach mylar to .032 sheet.


Find a source of high quality MDF. I went to a cabinet shop to get 1 inch 4 by 8 foot sheet - "usually not exactly 4 foot"
Only use Lowes 3/4 if you can not find better.


This I what starting plans builds looks like:

mdf.jpg


This orange hammer is the only tool you need from habor freight
hammer.jpg You will be tempted to buy the pneumatic nibbler. It will not be useful.




Also, do not listen to me. I buy every tool I can find.

My only real expertise in the group:
I can attest as to what a useless piece of crap some tool turned out to be.

This is my number one most hated tool:
a10.jpg

[alaskabearhawk]

Welcome Justin! There are a bunch of resources available to you as an EAB builder. Looking at it as a series of smaller tasks instead of one HUGE project helped me sort things out. One bite at a time...

[Hercpilot]

Thanks for all the initial "getting started" advice! Keep it coming!

Should have mentioned it initially...I decided to build the B model.

[huntaero]

Welcome to the forum have fun