lwinger
Joined: 21 Jun 2006
Posts: 229
Location: Tustin, CA
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 Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 10:41 am Post subject: Scratch builders, what did you build/what did you buy? |
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Jon,
I've actually asked myself the same question regularly since starting my plans-built 601XL (now CH 650) in the fall of 2006. Here's my conclusion: Only build from plans for the love of building, not to save money.
Unless you have a shop full of the right kind of tools (list available upon request!), you're going to invest many hundreds of dollars getting ready to bend your first part. Your time commitment to build from plans is substantial. I estimate that 60-70% of my time is spent making the average part, with only 30-40% of the time spent in installing it. Put another way, I probably could have reached this point in my build in one third to one half of the time if I had just reached over to the shelf and picked up a factory part. When you total up your cost in materials, tools and the materials to make your parts over again (the learning curve), I doubt that there is much to be saved. Factor in your time and it is hard to justify.
Having said all that, I wouldn't do it any differently! In fact, I just invested in oxyacetylene welding gear to complete my build. My choice was either to write one more big check to Zenith for the welded parts in the canopy system OR to learn and make the parts so that I would have equipment and a skill at the end of the day. Since I'm on this journey to learn and enjoy, frankly I should have done this months ago.
Band saw, drill press, oscillating sander and router --- $830
Plywood for wing rib form blocks --- $80
Two sheets of 6061 T6 for wing ribs --- $180
The satisfaction of making your own wings -- PRICELESS
Larry Winger
Tustin, CA
CH 650/Corvair
Ready to rivet the fuselage
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Larry Winger
Tustin, CA
Plans building 601XL/650 with Corvair
Installing fuel system
www.mykitlog.com/lwinger |
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