Project Prep., Page 01

July 28, 2006 ... Plans for Sonex #963 arrived today. They are great! They are well-drawn and very detailed. I am going to build the AeroVee Conversions (80 H.P.), dual-stick, trIcycle gear, version. I can't wait for the kit to arrive! This is going to be a great adventure. I went through the drawings, adding notes of builder websites that provide helpful advice and information (highlighted areas shown on photo).

August 2, 2006 ... I built a 4 X 12 foot work table. I like things straight and level. So I purchased some adjustable appliance legs and a couple packages of Tee nuts. Prior to installing the the table legs, I drilled a 3/8 inch hole (2 inches deep) and installed the Tee nuts. I put a jam nut on each appliance leg and threaded each one into a Tee nut. After completing the table, I simply set a level on the table top in various positions, and adjusted the appliance legs accordingly.

August 7, 2006 ... My tool selection included very few sheet metal tools. Here are a few of the tools I have added to my "arsenal." From top to bottom, the tools shown include: Vise Grip seaming pliers, aviation sheet metal shears, edge de-burring tool, an Avery hole de-burring tool, and a 6 inch rule measured in 64ths of an inch (available from Harbor Freight.) Obviously, these are not the only tools I had to purchase. The Builder Manuel which Sonex provides with the drawings, provides a good list of all the tools that are needed.