Van's Air Force - Western Canada Wing

Van's Air Force
Western Canada Wing

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Tools You Can Build

The tools to build your RV are expensive. Some builders enjoy the extra challenge and fun of building their own tools. Other builders, like me, are simply too cheap to buy some tools. Here, you can download drawings and instructions for making some tools that you might find useful in building your RV.

SM Brake Sht 1
SM Brake Sht 2

Sheet Metal Brake

This is a simple brake, made mostly from angle iron. I haven't made this brake, but Holger Stephan of bd-4.org has. You can see his brake at http://bd-4.org/bendingbrake.html. Thanks to Ken Hoshowski for these plans.

Fluting Pliers Sht 1
Fluting Pliers Sht 2

Fluting Pliers

I made these fluting pliers after borrowing a pair of commercially-made pliers. I found that I didn't like the flutes the commercial pliers made--they were too wide. So I made a pair myself, using laminated strips of steel flat bar. They work quite well, and cost virtually nothing.
Note There was a mistake in the original plans. This is now revision 2 of the plans, which show the second bolt and nut at the end of the handle, which was left off of the first revision. The size and position of this bolt and nut is not critical.

Tight-space Dimpler
Dimpling Tool for Tight Spaces
This tool allows you to dimple rivet holes in places such as the tips of ribs, where there isn't enough space for a conventional squeezer set.

HS Fixture Bracket
HS Fixture Bracket
Rather than buy the brackets for the horizontal stab fixture, I decided to make my own from hardware-store angle aluminum. It was simple, and much cheaper than buying them.

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Van's Air Force Western Canada Wing is not affiliated in any way with Van's Aircraft Incorporated. Western Canada RVator is not a publication of Van's Aircraft or any other corporation. All products reviewed or mentioned are not necessarily recommended for use by RV builders, but are described for information only. All builder's tips are presented only as a source of information and a forum for exchange and the sharing of ideas and construction methods. No responsibility is assumed, expressed, or implied as to the suitability, accuracy, safety, or approval thereof. Any party using the suggestions, ideas, or examples does so at his or her own risk and discretion and without recourse against anyone. The members of Van's Air Force Western Canada Wing, the editor of the Western Canada RVator, and all authors and contributors are not responsible for any product or builder's tips misuse, incorrect construction, or design failure, nor any other peril. All material on this web site is copyright Van's Air Force Western Canada Wing, or copyright the attributed author, unless otherwise noted.

SM Brake Sht 1 SM Brake Sht 2	Sheet Metal Brake This is a simple brake, made mostly from angle iron. I haven't made this brake, but Holger Stephan of bd-4.org has. You can see his brake at http://bd-4.org/bendingbrake.html. Thanks to Ken Hoshowski for these plans.
Fluting Pliers Sht 1 Fluting Pliers Sht 2	Fluting Pliers I made these fluting pliers after borrowing a pair of commercially-made pliers. I found that I didn't like the flutes the commercial pliers made--they were too wide. So I made a pair myself, using laminated strips of steel flat bar. They work quite well, and cost virtually nothing. Note There was a mistake in the original plans. This is now revision 2 of the plans, which show the second bolt and nut at the end of the handle, which was left off of the first revision. The size and position of this bolt and nut is not critical.
Tight-space Dimpler	Dimpling Tool for Tight Spaces This tool allows you to dimple rivet holes in places such as the tips of ribs, where there isn't enough space for a conventional squeezer set.
HS Fixture Bracket	HS Fixture Bracket Rather than buy the brackets for the horizontal stab fixture, I decided to make my own from hardware-store angle aluminum. It was simple, and much cheaper than buying them.