It’s almost time to order some tools and an empennage kit!  I sold my motorcycle, and, as soon as the check clears, I’m placing two orders.  The first to Brown Tool for a tool kit, and the second to Van’s for a second practice project (the tool box) and an empennage kit.

In preparation for the big day when those boxes containing shiny aluminum show up, I’ve been working on building a workbench.  Nothing fancy, just the EAA 1000 bench that turns up whenever you do a Google search for “aviation workbench.”  For anyone not familiar with this bench, it has a 5×2 foot work surface, stands just under three feet high, and is constructed from 2x4s and plywood.  Most people build two of them, which is my plan as well.  I built this according to the plan except for one, small modification.  Instead of making the top the same size as the frame, I made it overhang at each end by 2 inches.  I figured this gives me four more inches of workspace and also a nice edge for clamping, etc.

Here’s a picture of my first workbench.  Not bad for a guy that knows even less about working with wood than he does about working with sheet aluminum and rivets.