Following is a basic listing of the required tools. This section is by no means meant to be exhaustive, as volumes have been written on aircraft tools, materials and procedures. It's meant to be a useful outline of which
tools you'll need and how to use them effectively for this project. For more information on tool usage look at the section on standard procedures.

Tools You Need To Assemble the Kit
Only very basic tools are needed to assemble the kit. You probably already have most of the required tools in your workshop, and need to purchase only a few affordable tools specific to aircraft sheet-metal construction. You don't need a bending brake or sheet metal shear, and you don't have to learn about solid "conventional" riveting. The kit can be assembled with hand or pneumatic tools; the latter requires less work, however you need an air compressor and this will add to the overall cost of your kit if you don’t already own one.

Note: You do not need to purchase all the tools below. For example if you have an electric drill you will not also need a pneumatic drill.


TOOL LIST

Electric Hand Drill
You'll need a standard "hardware store" electric hand drill. Preferably, use a variable high-speed drill (2,500+ RPM), which makes drilling quicker and easier. It is an advantage that the drill is as lightweight as possible- you will be using it constantly.

Hint: Place a Rubber Washer at the drill bit shank - this way when you drill through a hole, the rubber washer will protect the material from being dented by the steel "chuck" of the drill.

Pneumatic Drill
If you have a compressor then purchase a standard pneumatic drill.

Drill Bits
You'll need a number of drill bits: Use the "numbered" drill sizes for rivet holes (which provide a slightly larger hole than the rivet size): Most drilling requires the # and 30 drill bit sizes, so get a few of each. Quality bits will stay sharper longer (making drilling easier).

Drill Bit Types

TABLE OF SIZES

Measuring Tools
Like the original Spitfire, Supermarine’s Replica has been designed using imperical measurements. For this reason we recommend that if you are not familiar with imperial measures we recommend you purchase measuring instruments that have both imperial and metric measures.

To assist in building you kit it is useful to have the following:

•  10-12 Foot Tape Measure
• 1 Foot Steel Ruler
• 2 Foot Steel Ruler
• Spirit level
• Plumb line (can be as simple as a weight attached to some twine)
• A Square

The spirit level and plumb line will be useful to assure that your workbench is flat and level, and to make sure that your parts (assemblies) are straight and level.

Hand Hacksaw
A simple hacksaw with fine teeth (24 teeth per inch) is required to make straight cuts in extrusions and thicker aluminium. If you have a band saw, you can use it instead of the hacksaw.

Hand & Pneumatic Riveter
For riveting, you only need a simple hand riveting tool or a pneumatic riveting tool (for ‘pop’ rivets) if you have a compressor. You do not need a pneumatic riveting hammer and bucking bars, as only blind rivets are used
(that means that riveting is very easy, quiet, and only a one man job). If you don’t already have a "pop" riveter, purchase a lightweight heavy-duty professional model that will take the appropriate rivet sizes (1/8" "and 3/32").

Note: If you are using a pneumatic rivet puller you will also more than likely need a hand riveting tool as the pneumatic riveting tool is large and will not fit in small spaces.

Sheet Metal Snips
Good sheet metal snips make cutting and trimming sheet metal nearly as easy as cutting paper. We recommend "WISS" brand, which is readily available. (Sheet Metal Snips (left and right)) You'll need a pair for left-hand cuts (Red Grips - M1) and a pair for right cuts (GreenGrips - M1). Both pairs will also make straight cuts.

Hand File
An assortment of small files for de-burring and filing edges is required.
Use sheet metal or "machinist" files, with a "smooth cut."

• Flat
• Half Round
• Round files

Clecos & Cleco Pliers
Clecos are temporary fasteners; they allow you to hold your sheet metal together without having to rivet. With Clecoes, whole sections of an aircraft can be temporarily assembled and joined, and then easily disassembled
before final assembly and finishing. After drilling a hole, you insert the Cleco (with Cleco Pliers), and it holds the material together firmly while you drill out more holes. Taking them out is as easy as putting them in. They are a vital tool while building and you will need a couple of hundred to complete your kit. Generally, Clecos are only available through aircraft tool supply shops.

Remember: You need a set of Cleco pliers to use Clecos
To complete your kit we recommend the following types of Clecos.

Cleco Sizes

TABLE OF SIZES

Other Tools
For building the complete airframe kit, you will also need the following:

• A set of standard wrenches / ratchet set,
• Screwdrivers, etc.,
• Hammer,
• Various sized G-clamps (3" & 6")
• You will also find it useful to have a Drill press or a pedestal drill stand that attaches to your   standard drill.
• A bench vice (Small Clamp)

Note: Do not fasten aluminium aircraft parts in the steel grips: change the grips to aluminium, or cover the grooved steel grips to avoid damaging the parts).

Hint: If you don't already have a specific tool, see if you can borrow one.

Tools You Don't Need To Assemble The Kit:

• A bending brake
• A sheet-metal shear
• A press, and so on.
  All major bends and cuts have been made to the materials provided in the kit, all welded parts
  are supplied "ready to assemble" and the wing spars are factory solid-riveted.
• Flanging tools: as all lightening holes are pre-cut and flanged.

More Information & Where To Buy Tools
Tradesman Tool & Supply stocks a good inventory of sheet-metal tools, as well as books on sheet-metal construction ("Metal Fabricator’s Handbook," "Sheet metal Handbook," "Aircraft Sheet Metal Construction and Repair" and much more).

You can also source tools and other aircraft components from Spruce and Speciality.
You can contact then at www.aircraft-spruce.com