N439RC; Ron's RV-12

In preparation for the wings arriving next month, I had to make some room in the hanger (garage).  I neatly tucked the smaller components (VS, Stabilator, Rudder) onto the suspended shelf above the garage door.  The tail cone was a bit more challenging!  I have a nice tall garage, with plenty of overhead room.  I got a couple pulleys and hoisted it safely up and out of the way.

See photos below.  The first photo shows the workbench cleared and ready for wings.  The second photo shows the tailcone suspended from the garage ceiling.

I spent half an hour with the other Fort Atkinson RV Builder on Friday and got some wonderful advice, tips and tricks.  He even sold me some surplus clecos and put a Yard catalog in my hands as reference.  It was nice to hear the words from an “experienced” builder, and to have it done right there in his shop next to his project is a plus.

On Saturday, I purchased some more tools for my hanger (garage).  We had a full weekend with family things, so I did not get much building done.  I did manage to get my new drill and grinder assembled and placed.  I also got my 6″ vice-grip mounted onto my work bench.  Finally, I placed an internet order for many of the smaller tools that I’ll need (drill bits, countersinks, die sets, etc…).  I’m still in my “Preparation / Pre-build” phases.

I headed to the garage after dinner to unpack and inventory the empennage kit. The first photo was taken by my wife. One of the first items I pulled out of the crate was the Aircraft Handbook.

I was very pleased with the way the crate protected all the subkits. It was put together quite efficiently, and sturdy. I had no problems getting at all the parts.

I basically took each piece out of the crate, and marked the packing slip to account for each part. My new workbench really worked well, for it allowed me to spread out all the parts as they were being counted.

The crate came in handy. I put it underneath the workbench, and then returned all the counted parts into the crate for their protection. I have not decided whether or not I will leave the crate in this location, or try to hang the crate from the ceiling above my garage.

I loaded up all the “bagged” pieces up into a storage container for easy marking. I plan to mark each tray with the appropriate tag.

Day one now under the belt, and I have to say I am very pleased. The crate was well built, and all the parts arrived undamaged. The components appear to be of high quality, and were marked very clearly. The inventory process went very well. All parts present and accounted for.

I got the call just before lunch!  “The truck would be there in fifteen minutes.” I headed out the door to meet the driver!

The kit arrived undamaged. The workbench that I made this past weekend came in really handy. The workbench was simply wheeled out to the back of the delivery truck, where the driver and I placed the kit onto the work surface, and I wheeled the whole thing back the garage. But, not before taking a couple photos…. 

The first photo is the address on the box.  My new name is “Robald.” 

Below shows the workbench coming in handy. It doubled as a dolly today!

The final photo is the beginning of that “RV Grin.” I’ll be opening the box tonight and starting the inventory!

I was up early this morning, for I knew I only had half a day to work on my project.  We were hosting some family at lunch/dinner time, so  I hit the local gas station for a bagel and a cup of coffee, then it was off to Menard’s with my shopping list.

I purchased an air compressor, fittings, and lumber.  The new lumber, combined with some lumber I already had on hand, would serve as the materials for my new workbench.  Last night I had stumbled across a simple workbench design that caught my eye.  It was at Tony Tessitore’s website.  It was simple, and I had it together in less that two hours.  See photo.

My dimensions are a bit different than Tony’s.  Mine is 43 inches wide and almost 35 inches tall (including the casters).  It is nice and sturdy and should serve me well.

We had a wonderful day with our family visitors, so this was about all I accomplished today.  I DID manage to get cable TV piped into the garage, so I will have my background noise when my kit finally arrives.   Go Packers!

Tomorrow I break in the new air compressor.  Kit arrives Tuesday!