![Trimming composites gets the full PPE job. [Credit: Eric Stewart]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/7-2.jpg?w=534&h=462&crop=1 "A Few of My Favorite Tools")
![Lowell Farrand spent years serving as an FAA DAR and is in the EAA Hall of Fame. He offers sound advise to builders. [Credit: Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-4.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Think Like a Builder")
![Author Bill Wilson takes a break from measuring and cutting the Lexan windshield during his Onex build. [All Images Credit to Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image-2.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Think Like A Builder")
Airshow Antennas
We are headed into airshow calendar time. I don’t care if it is the granddaddy of them all (Oshkosh) or the usual four beat-up...
Metal Magic: Making Parts Fit
In our 22nd episode of Metal Magic, KITPLANES editor at large Paul Dye goes into some of the tactics to make recalcitrant airframe pieces...
Cracked Landing Gear Weldment
Landing gear sockets should be checked regularly for those who fly off of grass and certainly after a hard landing. Using a bright light...
Toe Bar
Uneven tire wear is usually an indication of a problem with wheel alignment. Most of the time, the issue will be with toe, which...
Make That Aluminum Shine
If there was a way to make metal parts look even nicer than they looked coming out of your aircraft kit’s shipping box—and the...
Metal Magic: A Quick Look at Edge Rolling
This short episode of Metal Magic provides some quick tips on the most effective ways to get sheetmetal to "lay down" properly. KITPLANES editor...
A HOG in Time Takes…Forever
As I told you a couple of months ago, “In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is a...
Loose Intake Pipe
Sometimes the intake pipes on Lycoming engines can come loose. This will cause an intake leak, usually indicated by a rough idle and higher...
Metal Magic: Using Reamers For Accurate Holes
Sometimes a drill bit just won't do. When you want accurate, perfectly round holes in aluminum, you need to use a reamer. KITPLANES editor...
In Case You Missed It
Homebuilt Aircraft Safety 1998-2008
Far be it from Ron Wanttajas experience to be complacent when it comes to aircraft accident statistics. In this article, he updates two previous articles on the subject of homebuilt aircraft safety and digs deep to find meaning and context for the numbers.
One Step Drill and Tap
We use quite a few small machine screws in our homebuilt projects. These small...
Second Chance Six
Part 10: small, important projects— brake lines, fuel lines, baffling and fairings.