Original Posted By: "Billy McCaskill"
I was amazed at how nice the control forces are in flight.While repairing/rebuilding 41CC and having never flown itor any other Piet before, the controls seemed draggy andnoisy when I exercised them on the ground and tuned up thecable tensions. In flight, that all seems to disappear andthe controls are very nice. Elevators are quite sensitive(in my opinion); and especially on the ground they are anight-and-day change from, say, Cessnas; ailerons not somuch but still very smooth.Rudder is nice too, but I have a rudder bar and it willnever be as sensitive to control as individual pedals willbe simply because you're working the control with largeleg muscles rather than smaller, finer foot and anklemuscles.I like the controls on the Piet very much.Oscar ZunigaAir Camper NX41CCSan Antonio, TXmailto: taildrags(at)hotmail.comwebsite at http://www.flysquirrel.net ________________________________________________________________________________Subject: Pietenpol-List: Harbor Freight Multi-Function Power Tool opinions?
Pietenpol-List: Harbor Freight Multi-Function Power Tool opinions?
Original Posted By: "TOM STINEMETZE"
I know some of you Piet builders out there have purchased the Harbor Freight MultiFunctionPower Tool (currently on sale for $34.99), in your opinion is thisa tool of sufficient quality that you would recommend buying one? I have purchasedother hand-held electric power tools from Harbor Freight in the past, andhave invariably been disappointed in them as they did not last very long eventhough they were used EXACTLY as intended and not abused in any way. I wouldlike to have a multifunction tool like this, but if the quality is equal tothose HF tools I have purchased before then I will pass on buying this. Thanksfor your opinions.Billy McCaskillUrbana, IL/Baker, LAtail feathers almost doneRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:49:10 -0600
I know some of you Piet builders out there have purchased the Harbor Freight MultiFunctionPower Tool (currently on sale for $34.99), in your opinion is thisa tool of sufficient quality that you would recommend buying one? I have purchasedother hand-held electric power tools from Harbor Freight in the past, andhave invariably been disappointed in them as they did not last very long eventhough they were used EXACTLY as intended and not abused in any way. I wouldlike to have a multifunction tool like this, but if the quality is equal tothose HF tools I have purchased before then I will pass on buying this. Thanksfor your opinions.Billy McCaskillUrbana, IL/Baker, LAtail feathers almost doneRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:49:10 -0600
Re: Pietenpol-List: Harbor Freight Multi-Function Power Tool opinions?
Original Posted By: "Billy McCaskill"
I used mine today. It works well for the light duty occasional use.Dick N.----- Original Message -----
I used mine today. It works well for the light duty occasional use.Dick N.----- Original Message -----
Re: Pietenpol-List: Harbor Freight Multi-Function Power Tool opinions?
Original Posted By: "Billy McCaskill"
The one issue with it is that it won't accept other manufacturer'saccessories... Dremel blades don't work in it for sure, so you have to goback to HF for more blades. To be fair, I believe this applies to all brandsof multi-tools, it's not just HF at fault here. My father in law got one ofthese a couple months ago for his handyman business, and the first time heused it, it became about his favorite tool... ever. It's really saved hisbacon on projects quite a few times. He said the other day, "When this onewears out, I'll be happy to buy the really nice, expensive model to replaceit, but this one just might go for a good while." He told me that thehigher-end brands have more "throw" to the vibration of the blade, but theHF version still works just fine. I've used it a couple times, and believeme, that sucker instantly became on of those "can't-live-without" kind oftools. They can cut where there just isn't any other way to do it.The only problem I've noticed is that when I was using it to sand something,my hand naturally wanted to hold it up high, towards the business end, andmy hand position naturally covered up the cooling vents a bit. That beingsaid, it didn't get very warm or anything so I don't think it's an issue,really. You can also use the B&D "mouse" velcro-backed sanding pads with thetriangular sanding accessory too... just cut the excess off with scissors,or don't... it works either way.The only recommendation I have against this tool is that it's very likely tobecome a tool that you will use A LOT, so if other ones have more featuresor more accessories or are more ergonomic to you, then that alone might bewell worth the extra cost. HF doesn't seem to have a ton of differentblades, but then I haven't looked at what's out there for any other brandsother than the one Dremel blade I saw that didn't fit. Still, if it croakstomorrow (after 2 months of use), I'm certain Dave would say he's gotten hismoney's worth several times over. No reason to think it will, though, atleast it was still like new the other day when I used it!I almost feel like that cheesy old commercial... "Please, if you don't get amulti-tool at Harbor Freight, get a multi-tool SOMEWHERE". But it really hasproven to be that useful.Thus far, the HF power tools I've used (mostly borrowed from myfather-in-law) have seemed to be fine in function and strength. They areeven probably the most cost-effective choice in the many cases when you justneed it once in a while and don't need some really esoteric capability fromit. Dave's HF multi tool, chop saw, and electric planer all continue to workwell after a year or two of occasional (or even quite regular) usage in avariety of projects. His HF hammer drill died over the summer, but that didget a lot of use and as I recall the story, it lasted longer than heexpected, given the duty it was being subjected to (they really needed ajackhammer but the hammer drill was all that was available). My smallwet/dry vac still works great after several years. I probably would lookelsewhere for the 10% of tools that will see heavy, constant, strenuous use,where high precision is critical, or where maximum features are important...for instance, a cordless drill/driver, or a lathe, home neurosurgery kit,etc. Then, obviously you should buy the best and most versatile one you canafford. But I've found that when the tool fits into the "I won't use it toomuch, I don't need a bunch of bells and whistles... but when I need it, I'vereally gotta have one handy" category... and face it, MANY of our favoritetools actually fit firmly within that definition... it can be awfully hardto justify spending twice the price for a high-end tool when the HF versionwill probably work just as well 95% of the time. Plus you'll have more moneyleft over, so you can go buy some OTHER tools to play with. Yippee! :)He who dies with the most tools... is still dead.-MikeMike WhaleyMerlinFAC(at)cfl.rr.com----- Original Message -----
The one issue with it is that it won't accept other manufacturer'saccessories... Dremel blades don't work in it for sure, so you have to goback to HF for more blades. To be fair, I believe this applies to all brandsof multi-tools, it's not just HF at fault here. My father in law got one ofthese a couple months ago for his handyman business, and the first time heused it, it became about his favorite tool... ever. It's really saved hisbacon on projects quite a few times. He said the other day, "When this onewears out, I'll be happy to buy the really nice, expensive model to replaceit, but this one just might go for a good while." He told me that thehigher-end brands have more "throw" to the vibration of the blade, but theHF version still works just fine. I've used it a couple times, and believeme, that sucker instantly became on of those "can't-live-without" kind oftools. They can cut where there just isn't any other way to do it.The only problem I've noticed is that when I was using it to sand something,my hand naturally wanted to hold it up high, towards the business end, andmy hand position naturally covered up the cooling vents a bit. That beingsaid, it didn't get very warm or anything so I don't think it's an issue,really. You can also use the B&D "mouse" velcro-backed sanding pads with thetriangular sanding accessory too... just cut the excess off with scissors,or don't... it works either way.The only recommendation I have against this tool is that it's very likely tobecome a tool that you will use A LOT, so if other ones have more featuresor more accessories or are more ergonomic to you, then that alone might bewell worth the extra cost. HF doesn't seem to have a ton of differentblades, but then I haven't looked at what's out there for any other brandsother than the one Dremel blade I saw that didn't fit. Still, if it croakstomorrow (after 2 months of use), I'm certain Dave would say he's gotten hismoney's worth several times over. No reason to think it will, though, atleast it was still like new the other day when I used it!I almost feel like that cheesy old commercial... "Please, if you don't get amulti-tool at Harbor Freight, get a multi-tool SOMEWHERE". But it really hasproven to be that useful.Thus far, the HF power tools I've used (mostly borrowed from myfather-in-law) have seemed to be fine in function and strength. They areeven probably the most cost-effective choice in the many cases when you justneed it once in a while and don't need some really esoteric capability fromit. Dave's HF multi tool, chop saw, and electric planer all continue to workwell after a year or two of occasional (or even quite regular) usage in avariety of projects. His HF hammer drill died over the summer, but that didget a lot of use and as I recall the story, it lasted longer than heexpected, given the duty it was being subjected to (they really needed ajackhammer but the hammer drill was all that was available). My smallwet/dry vac still works great after several years. I probably would lookelsewhere for the 10% of tools that will see heavy, constant, strenuous use,where high precision is critical, or where maximum features are important...for instance, a cordless drill/driver, or a lathe, home neurosurgery kit,etc. Then, obviously you should buy the best and most versatile one you canafford. But I've found that when the tool fits into the "I won't use it toomuch, I don't need a bunch of bells and whistles... but when I need it, I'vereally gotta have one handy" category... and face it, MANY of our favoritetools actually fit firmly within that definition... it can be awfully hardto justify spending twice the price for a high-end tool when the HF versionwill probably work just as well 95% of the time. Plus you'll have more moneyleft over, so you can go buy some OTHER tools to play with. Yippee! :)He who dies with the most tools... is still dead.-MikeMike WhaleyMerlinFAC(at)cfl.rr.com----- Original Message -----
Pietenpol-List: Re: Harbor Freight Multi-Function Power Tool opinions?
Original Posted By: "Billy McCaskill"
Typing it in manually works though.Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Harbor Freight Multi-Function Power Tool opinions?
Typing it in manually works though.Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ___Subject: Pietenpol-List: Re: Harbor Freight Multi-Function Power Tool opinions?
Original Posted By: jorge lizarraga
Thanks for all the input, guys. I think that I might take a ride to Harbor Freightthis weekend and pick one up. Seems that most of you say that the tool isof decent quality but the blades seem to be a bit on the weak side. As I'mnot a professional carpenter or cabinet man, this thing isn't going to see severeor even daily use so it should suit my needs just fine. Billy McCaskillUrbana, IL/Baker, LAtail feathers almost doneRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Sat, 5 Dec 2009 20:37:15 -0800 (PST)
Thanks for all the input, guys. I think that I might take a ride to Harbor Freightthis weekend and pick one up. Seems that most of you say that the tool isof decent quality but the blades seem to be a bit on the weak side. As I'mnot a professional carpenter or cabinet man, this thing isn't going to see severeor even daily use so it should suit my needs just fine. Billy McCaskillUrbana, IL/Baker, LAtail feathers almost doneRead this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... ______Date: Sat, 5 Dec 2009 20:37:15 -0800 (PST)
Pietenpol-List: Re: Harbor Freight Multi-Function Power Tool opinions?
Original Posted By: Oscar Zuniga
yeah i do recommend the Harbor Freight Multi Function Power Tool because for meit is true that the tool has of sufficient quality.Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________
yeah i do recommend the Harbor Freight Multi Function Power Tool because for meit is true that the tool has of sufficient quality.Read this topic online here:http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.p ... __________
Pietenpol-List: beauuutiful work Dan--cockpit leather combing
Original Posted By: "Gary Boothe"
Mikeee asked->does that combing behind you adversely affect your>comfort on your upper back or shoulders ?I've spoken>to a number of builders who removed that combing>around the backside because it became bothersome>once the plane was flying.It's funny, because I rarely find myself leaning backagainst the seat back while flying. I seem to wantto lean forward to get out of the propwash/blast. Ithink one time I even wondered why I bothered withpadding on the seat back. Oscar ZunigaAir Camper NX41CCSan Antonio, TXmailto: taildrags(at)hotmail.comwebsite at http://www.flysquirrel.net ________________________________________________________________________________
Mikeee asked->does that combing behind you adversely affect your>comfort on your upper back or shoulders ?I've spoken>to a number of builders who removed that combing>around the backside because it became bothersome>once the plane was flying.It's funny, because I rarely find myself leaning backagainst the seat back while flying. I seem to wantto lean forward to get out of the propwash/blast. Ithink one time I even wondered why I bothered withpadding on the seat back. Oscar ZunigaAir Camper NX41CCSan Antonio, TXmailto: taildrags(at)hotmail.comwebsite at http://www.flysquirrel.net ________________________________________________________________________________