Roee Kalinsky's RV-7A Project

2003.12.19: (1.0) Started cleaning out the garage.  Leveled the work bench.

2003.12.20: Bought some peg board and hooks to hang tools.  Could not find the studs by ear to mount it, need to get a stud finder.

2003.12.26: (0.5) Checked out air compressors at Sears.  Compared an oil-free model and oil-lubricated model of similar specifications (6 hp, 25 gal, 6.8 scfm @ 90 psig).  The Craftsman model ????? oil-free compressor cost approximately $200.  Standing next to it without ear protection was painful.  The neighbors won't appreciate that.  The Craftsman model 19541 oil-lubricated compressor cost approximately $360.  It was quite possible to hold a conversation standing over it.  It's about as loud as an old refrigerator.  Well, maybe a little louder.  The oil-lubricated model is a heavier-duty product according to the salesman.

2003.12.26: (0.3) Bought a stud finder, and still no studs found anywhere along the garage side wall.  Maybe the drywall is denser or thicker than the standard interior variety, making it more difficult to hear out the studs.  Mounted the peg board to the drywall, seems sturdy enough.  Will add more screws to distribute the load.

2003.12.31: Ordered RV builder's tool kit from Avery.  Chose the 2X rivet gun, eliminated a few small items, added a no-hole thin taper squeezer yoke.

2004.01.04: (3.0) More cleanout in the garage.

2004.01.05: Bought the Craftsman model 19541 compressor as well as a Craftsman 6" bench grinder.  Joined the "Craftsman Club" to get a 10% discount.  Unloaded the compressor from the truck with neighbor's help.  The expression on his face was priceless after I answered the obvious question "so what's the compressor for?"  You're gonna build a what?

2004.01.07: (1.0) Set up the compressor and performed break-in procedure.  Assembled the bench grinder.

2004.01.08: (1.0) Avery tool kit arrived minus two items on back order.  Took inventory.

2004.01.18: (1.0) Bought a cheap benchtop drill press from Harbor Freight.  Put it together.

2004.01.19: (0.5) Installed the 6" scotchbrite wheel from Avery in the bench grinder.  Found that the scotchbrite wheel is 1" thick, while the wheels the grinder came with are 3/4".  Although the protective shroud was itself wide enough to accommodate a 1" wheel, it had to be re-centered so that the outer edge of the wheel had no chance of rubbing.  Adding 1/8" spacers between the shroud and the grinder motor did the job.

2003.12.19: Ordered RV-7A preview plans from Van's.  Scheduled to arrive 12/29.

2003.12.23: Set up this web site.  It will serve as the main body of documentation.

2003.12.27: Visited Reuven Silberman at his hangar at Gillespie Field.  His 7A is coming along very nicely, with work currently being done on the canopy latch.  Reuven patiently let me pick his brain all day, and even drive a few rivets.  Hopefully I can return the favor soon and actually make myself useful.  Thanks Reuven!

2003.12.29: (8.0) Preview plans arrive.  Read through the whole set.

2003.12.31: Ordered empennage kit.

2004.01.02: (3.0) Researching corrosion protection products and methods.

2004.01.10: First ride in an RV, and I'm still grinning!  Many thanks to Scott Bilinski for taking me up in N616SB, his awesome new RV-8A.

2004.01.11: Went to the Cable Air Fair with Scott Bilinski.  Several nice RVs and other interesting stuff.

2004.01.17: Attended Dan Masys' presentation on his RV-7A project at EAA Chapter 14.  He was very insightful.  Also finally met many other familiar names from the email groups.  Really a great bunch.

2003.12.31: Ordered empennage kit with electric elevator trim from Van's.  Estimated shipment date Jan 12 because they're currently doing inventory.

2004.01.15: (3.5) Empennage kit arrived.  Unpacked and took inventory.  Guest room transformed to a stock room.

2004.01.22: (1.5) Sorted out all the hardware in those brown paper bags and arranged in little storage compartments.  When they arrive, each bag contains various quantities of one or more items, and several bags may contain some of the same item.  Supposedly some bags are organized by steps in the building process, but no reference is made to bag numbers in the plans or instructions making it not so useful.  In following another builder's advice, I arranged them simply by what they are.