![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=534&h=462&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")
Fuel Cap Dipstick (and Always Chock Your Wheels)
Before I delve into this month’s project, here’s the backstory on where it came from: I started my flight training with 10 hours in...
The Wind-up, the Pitch…
…and now let’s hit this PC board problem out of the park. Let’s make a useful part with the full PCB program.
Here’s the situation:...
Metal Magic: Intro to Riveting
Introduction to driven rivets. Learn how to judge the size of rivets you need and how to tell if you've driven them correctly.
Metal Magic: Deburring
Holes are drilled so let's get them cleaned up and ready for fasteners. Paul Dye explains the process of deburring holes and edges in...
Politically Correct Boards
That is what PC means, yes? No. It’s short for printed circuit. And the first attempts at making boards were actually made by spraying...
Spinner Bulkheads – Getting the Spacing Right
If you have ever needed to change props or spinners on your completed homebuilt, you have probably sweated out the clearance between the rear...
Tidy Up with Adel Clamps
There is so much to learn by simply observing the handiwork of others. Some builders are just plain creative when it comes to organizing...
Shop-made Blind Rivet Nut
Blind rivet nuts, also called rivnuts, rivet nuts or insert nuts, are a clever way to add threaded bosses to thin-wall sheet metal structures...
Improper and Proper D-Sub Connectors
The connector in the left photo was discovered on the back of an autopilot control head that was intermittent. D-subs require a backshell (right...
Metal Magic: Drilling Like a Pro
It pays to get good with drilling because you'll be doing a lot of it.
In Case You Missed It
Ask the DAR
Registering without builders logs, adjustable prop on an LSA, incorrect N-number placement, repairman certificate for a rebuilt RV-6.
