![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")
Light it Up!
How many times have you been working in the depths of your aircraft's fuselage, a flashlight in your mouth, and a work light burning...
Oil Pressure Problems
Oil pressure is always a concern to anyone who flies a powered plane. Everyone knows that if your oil pressure drops to zero, your...
Hold-downs
A typical milling machine hold-down kit consists of various size blocks, hold-downs, and threaded rods, plus an assortment of T-nuts, flange nuts, and...
Paint Masking
We've all seen those commercials for painter's tape. They make masking look so easy, but it seems every time I use the stuff, it...
Three to Get Ready
"…Now go cat, go…But don't you…Step on my Blue Suede Shoes." Elvis was singing this in 1957, and yes, I convinced my mom that...
In Case You Missed It
Homemade Open-End Wrench
Anyone who knows me is familiar with my love of homemade tools. It comes...
