These are some of the tools that we purchased, or built,
for building the Ultracruiser.
This is the Bending Brake that Larry built. Click HERE
to see how he did it.
Metal Shrinker
This is a must tool to have. It's something so handy, it's like a pocket on
a shirt. We purchased the Metal Shrinker from Aircraft
Tool.
Bandsaw ~~ This is a necessary tool for making your form blocks. I bought
mine at a local tool store for $230.00 and is well worth it.
Rivet Puller - We purchased this from Harbor Freight and is a real jewel.
Pulls rivets smoothly and I am well satisfied with it. Definitely got my moneys
worth on this tool.
The is a Dremel Tool with a 90° angle attachment. It's a poor man's
angle drill. The attachment costs about $30.00 and you can get into some really
nice, tight spots with it. It's a lot cheaper than a $200.00 angle drill that
uses special bits.
Die Grinder with a cutoff wheel. I haven't used this too
much, yet. The Dremel seems to be much more controllable. This one is hard to
handle on precise cuts because it has a lot of power.
Dremel tool with a cutoff tool. This is an abrasive wheel
in my hand. Very easy to use, easily controllable, and you can make very precise
cuts with it.
Air drill with a long #40 bit. This is also very handy, you
can bend the bit around and hold it with one hand in a curved position and drill
a hole with it.
Air Shear - I consider this my worst investment so far. I
bought it from Harbor Freight and it will cut for about 4 inches and then just
stops cutting. You can wiggle it around and mess with it for a little bit and
it will start cutting again for about 4 inches and stop. A royal pain in the
you know where.
Air Nibbler - A metal eating monster. The only bad thing
about it is that it throws little small chips everywhere. Make sure you sweep
the floor as soon as you are done using it. If you don't you will get the little
chips in the soles of your shoes and they LOVE to get stuck in the carpet --
you'll find them when you are walking barefoot across that carpet. They manage
to harpoon you in very tender spots.
A Tatco Rivet Squeezer. I haven't used it yet, but plan on
using it to rivet the spars. Will keep you updated. It is very well made out
of stainless steel.
This is the 3 inch throat for the Tatco Rivet Squeezer.
Disclaimer! Material and comments on this site is INFORMATIONAL only.
What worked for us, does not necessarily mean it will work for you. Anything
that you attempt from this site, you do so at your own risk.
