I figure this can become a general resource, though I'll start it off with a specific question.
I am interested in buying some cylindrical rotary files, based on a recent discussion of notching tubing for fuselage work. I have checked what I consider to be the Usual Sources:
Aircraft-specific stores:
Industrial suppliers:
Consumer suppliers:
In compiling this list I did finally find sources for everything I want (a set of about 5 sizes of cylindrical rotary files between 1/4" and 1"), with a few cheap ones at The Yard, and the remainder at McMaster-Carr for dear-lord amounts of money.
However, I know there are other sources of tools and equipment out there, which I've forgotten, or just don't know about. Where else should I be looking? What little aviation tool supplier do you know about, that you're always recommending to other builders? Let's make this a master list of places to go when you need to find that special tool for building an airplane.
I am interested in buying some cylindrical rotary files, based on a recent discussion of notching tubing for fuselage work. I have checked what I consider to be the Usual Sources:
Aircraft-specific stores:
- Aircraft Spruce (aircraft tools, materials, supplies): http://aircraftspruce.com/
- The Yard Store (many specialty aircraft/sheet metal tools, some surplus): http://yardstore.com/
- Wicks Aircraft (similar to Aircraft Spruce): http://wicksaircraft.com/
Industrial suppliers:
- MSC Direct (industrial tooling and supplies): http://mscdirect.com/
- Little Machine Shop (machine tools for the Home Shop Machinist): http://littlemachineshop.com/
- Grizzly (imported machine tools, upscale-ish version of Harbor Freight): http://grizzly.com/
- Northern Tool and Equipment (similar to Grizzly): http://northerntool.com/
- McMaster-Carr (industrial supplies and equipment, most expensive, biggest selection): http://mcmaster.com/
Consumer suppliers:
- Ebay (what don't they have?): http://ebay.com/
- Amazon (purveyors of all things consumer-oriented): http://amazon.com/
- Harbor Freight (cheap import junk with the occasional gem): http://harborfreight.com/
In compiling this list I did finally find sources for everything I want (a set of about 5 sizes of cylindrical rotary files between 1/4" and 1"), with a few cheap ones at The Yard, and the remainder at McMaster-Carr for dear-lord amounts of money.
However, I know there are other sources of tools and equipment out there, which I've forgotten, or just don't know about. Where else should I be looking? What little aviation tool supplier do you know about, that you're always recommending to other builders? Let's make this a master list of places to go when you need to find that special tool for building an airplane.
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