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1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)
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PatrickW

Joined: 27 Oct 2006
Posts: 380
Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 5:46 am Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

I've been tracking my progress on my 601 XL, and today I will pass the 100 hour mark.



Here's what I've accomplished in that 100 hours:



Rudder - Done (at Zenith workshop).

Stabilizer - Done.

Elevator - Done (with trim tab).

Corvair Engine - Disassembled, initial cleaning, baffles & pushrod tubes finished and painted, awaiting parts.

Flaps - Both in clecoes (will deburr & cortec today).

Right Aileron - In clecoes (will deburr & cortec today).

Left Aileron - In clecoes, currently fitting trim tab (will deburr & cortec  today).



Most difficult task so far:  Removing several frozen bolts on my Corvair core.



First-time builder, so I don't know if I'm "fast" or "slow", but all those pre-drilled holes sure are a BIG help.  Sometimes I wonder if they didn't ship me a QB kit by mistake.



I didn't track the time I spent preparing by workshop (insulating, putting down an epoxy floor, installing lights and a heater), building my table, convincing my wife, scrounging through junkyards for an engine, or researching on-line.



- Patrick

  601XL

Tim Juhl

Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 488
Location: "Thumb" of Michigan

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 9:05 am Post subject: Re: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

I think you are doing OK.  Anyone who can build an XL in 400  hours as the advertising claims is either very skillful or has built one before.  

I'm probably in the slow category but then I take my time and so far have avoided any big mistakes.  I've completed the rudder, tailfeathers, flaps and ailerons, installed fuel senders in the tanks and am finishing out the right wing.  I installed the baggage locker (which took awhile) and am doing the wingtip right now.  Fuel tanks are next and I'll be done.   Along the way I trimmed the nose ribs and fabricated the pieces needed for both wings at the same time so left wing should move along a little faster.  Time required?  I just hit 400 hours.



Enjoy the process!

Tim

_________________
______________
CFII
Champ L16A flying
Zodiac XL - Jabiru 3300A
Almost done! It'll fly in spring!

ashontz

Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 723

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 10:58 am Post subject: Re: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

Are you guys building from kits? I'm building from plans and have about 350 hours in. rudder, stabilizer, and elevator done. right wing about 50% complete. I have a fair amount of time logged for miscellaneous workshop related etc... so probably about 250 actual build time.



Making the parts is probably 60% of the work in building from scratch I'd say, maybe more.

Tim Juhl

Joined: 21 Mar 2006
Posts: 488
Location: "Thumb" of Michigan

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 11:17 am Post subject: Re: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

I'm building from the standard kit.  I haven't counted the hours related to fixing up my workshop, sweeping the floor and etc. 



Tim

_________________
______________
CFII
Champ L16A flying
Zodiac XL - Jabiru 3300A
Almost done! It'll fly in spring!

john.marzulli(at)gmail.co
Guest

Posted: Sun Feb 18, 2007 12:23 pm Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

When I started building, part of the planning stage consisted of trying to figure out how much of a time commitment I needed to make. Searching among 701 builder websites, not much time data was available, so I publish and track my time using a Blog. 



Many things affect how long a project lasts, including how often you work on the project. For me, the biggest effect is whether or not someone if helping me. A helper seems to reduce time by 50%, plus you get someone to double check all measurements and assumptions. 



After approximately 137 hours ( most with a helper), the rudder, elevator, horizontal stabilizer and flaperons have been completed. I'm currently working on the wing skeletons.



Good luck!

- John in Seattle 



On 2/18/07, PatrickW <pwhoyt(at)yahoo.com (pwhoyt(at)yahoo.com)> wrote:[quote] --> Zenith-List message posted by: "PatrickW" <pwhoyt(at)yahoo.com (pwhoyt(at)yahoo.com)>



I've been tracking my progress on my 601 XL, and today I will pass the 100 hour mark.

 

Here's what I've accomplished in that 100 hours:



Rudder - Done (at Zenith workshop).

Stabilizer - Done.

Elevator - Done (with trim tab).

Corvair Engine - Disassembled, initial cleaning, baffles & pushrod tubes finished and painted, awaiting parts. 

Flaps - Both in clecoes (will deburr & cortec today).

Right Aileron - In clecoes (will deburr & cortec today).

Left Aileron - In clecoes, currently fitting trim tab (will deburr & cortec  today).

 

Most difficult task so far:  Removing several frozen bolts on my Corvair core.



First-time builder, so I don't know if I'm "fast" or "slow", but all those pre-drilled holes sure are a BIG help.  Sometimes I wonder if they didn't ship me a QB kit by mistake. 



I didn't track the time I spent preparing by workshop (insulating, putting down an epoxy floor, installing lights and a heater), building my table, convincing my wife, scrounging through junkyards for an engine, or researching on-line. 



- Patrick

  601XL





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=95808#95808

 http://701Builder.blogspot.com/



"Flying a plane is no different than riding a bicycle... it's just a lot harder to put baseball cards in the spokes.  [quote][b]

4rcsimmons(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2007 2:22 pm Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

I’m a above the 400 hours mark and am on the Fuselage sides.  

   

Wings done and Tail section done.  

   

Rich Simmons  

601 XL  

       [quote][b]

ashontz

Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 723

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 6:41 am Post subject: Re: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

[quote="4rcsimmons(at)comcast.net"]Iâ€™m a above the 400 hours mark and am on the Fuselage sides.  

   

Wings done and Tail section done.  

   

Rich Simmons  

601 XL  

        	  Quote: 	
		  [b] 	




Just curious, kit or from plans?

dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 3:22 pm Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

Same here. Building from a complete kit, I  had the entire tail finished, had built the flaps and ailerons and was  about halfway through building the first wing at 100 hours. I have no doubt that  it can be done much faster than I have done so far. I am equally sure that  I can't go any faster without taicking off the family, retiring, and/or screwing  up even mor ethan I curently do.

  

 I am presently at 436.5 hours and I am working on  the bows for the middle top skin of the fuselage.

  

 Ed Moody II

 601XL/Jabiru/middle top skin

 [quote]   ---

ashontz

Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 723

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 3:52 pm Post subject: Re: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

Apparently the kit is much faster. Honestly, I'd say I spend about 3 to 4 times as much time making the parts as I do assembling them. Seems to be reflected in my log too.



Then again, maybe I'm just slacking too much like my avatar, Bad Andy.

4rcsimmons(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 5:30 am Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

I am building from Component Kits. I have been at it for about 2 years now.  

   

I have ordered the kits on a schedule to not allow too much down time but the small break in between kits has been good for the honey do list.  

   

1st the rudder, 2nd the rest of the tail sections, 3rd the wings and  fuel system, and now, the Rest. This also allowed me to have to only store minimal material  

   

However, when I ordered the Fuselage kit, I ordered all of the remaining groups from Zenith.  

   

Now I am looking at instruments and engines. Jabaru is the way I plan on going with a standard 6 pack configuration of instruments. I am seriously looking at the Dynon panel but large instrument integration bothers me to a point. I like the idea of if one fails, all the others are still there.   

   

   

Happy building,  [quote]Rich Simmons  601 XL P.S. Oh yes, do not archive [b]

p.mulwitz(at)worldnet.att
Guest

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 6:47 am Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

Hi Rich,



 With the great popularity of the Jabiru engines, there is a significant lead time to order one.  



 Good luck,



 Paul

 XL fuselage



 

  	  Quote: 	
		  Now I am looking at instruments and engines. Jabaru is the way I plan on going with a standard 6 pack configuration of instruments. I am seriously looking at the Dynon panel but large instrument integration bothers me to a point. I like the idea of if one fails, all the others are still there. 

  

  

 Happy building,

 

  	  Quote: 	
		  Rich Simmons 

[/b] 	


  	  Quote: 	
		  601

XL[/b] 	


  	  Quote: 	
		   [/b] 	
 

  	  Quote: 	
		  P.S. Oh yes, do not archive

[/b] 	
	
 

 ---------------------------------------------

 Paul Mulwitz

 32013 NE Dial Road

 Camas, WA 98607

 ---------------------------------------------

     [quote][b]

dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 7:45 am Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

Roger that..... oredered my 3300 in July and received it last week.



Dred

Do Not Archive



---- Paul Mulwitz <p.mulwitz(at)worldnet.att.net> wrote: 

 	  Quote: 	
		   Hi Rich,

 

 With the great popularity of the Jabiru engines, there is a 

 significant lead time to order one.

 

 Good luck,

 

 Paul

 XL fuselage

bill_dom(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:07 am Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

I’m plan’s building and I have spent 140 hours so far, I  have rudder done (from scratch, didn’t go the seminar) elevator done,  stabilizer skeleton done, and currently working on skinning the stabilizer. This  time includes the building of my two bending brakes, skin bending jig and  making the parts. 

  

      In my experience so far, making parts vs. assembly goes  around 25/75. 25% of time making parts and 75% assembly. I’ve found that  mistakes during assembly are more time consuming to recover than mistakes done  while making parts.

                   

  William Dominguez

  Zodiac 601XL Plans

  Miami, Florida

    



 [quote][b]

craig(at)craigandjean.com
Guest

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 1:34 pm Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

 	  Quote: 	
		  > Roger that..... oredered my 3300 in July and received it last week.


	


With the cowling?



-- Craig

dredmoody(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 2:41 pm Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

Yep, I ordered the engine and FWF package from Pete Krotje at USA Jabiru in Tennessee all at the same time. I was told that the cowling was the hold up at the end. The engine was sitting in Tennessee by mid December ready to ship but the cowling was being reworked to make it install easier with the new heads. I was number 7 out of the first 20 new cowls they ordered so it took a while to get the whole shipment ready to go. There was no point in shipping the engine alone, that would have been more expensive and I was not ready to hang it yet anyway.



Dred

Do Not Archive



---- Craig Payne <craig(at)craigandjean.com> wrote: 

 	  Quote: 	
		   

 

 >> Roger that..... ordered my 3300 in July and received it last week.

 

 With the cowling?

 

 -- Craig

ashontz

Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 723

Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 3:53 pm Post subject: Re: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

[quote="bill_dom(at)yahoo.com"]I?m plan?s building and I have spent 140 hours so far, I  have rudder done (from scratch, didn?t go the seminar) elevator done,  stabilizer skeleton done, and currently working on skinning the stabilizer. This  time includes the building of my two bending brakes, skin bending jig and  making the parts. 

  

      In my experience so far, making parts vs. assembly goes  around 25/75. 25% of time making parts and 75% assembly. I?ve found that  mistakes during assembly are more time consuming to recover than mistakes done  while making parts.

                   

  William Dominguez

  Zodiac 601XL Plans

  Miami, Florida

    



  	  Quote: 	
		  [b] 	




Actually, that's abut the same pace I found it to be for those components. I'm now about halfway through the right wing.  Making the wing ribs took a fair amount of time.

barcusc(at)comcast.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 2:16 pm Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

Impressive!

  

 Clyde

 [quote]   ---

JAPhillipsGA(at)aol.com
Guest

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

Rich, remember it's not a race. You're okay to enjoy it more. Drink a few more adult beverages along the way, tell your wife how difficult the work is, etc. We have all convinced our spouses it may take years and years and thousands and thousands of dollars to get to where your at. Please keep this a secret or they will have us painting the porch ceiling, changing the oil in their car and mowing the lawn. Yeach ! Best regards, Bill of Georgia

**************************************

 AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from AOL at http://www.aol.com.  [quote][b]

naumuk(at)alltel.net
Guest

Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 8:26 pm Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

Rich-

     Sooner or later you're going to  slip up and blow your timeline to hell. Homebuilder's fact of life. Take the  advice of two Bills- kick back and relax. You WILL screw up. There isn't a  builder on this list who hasn't! Forewarned is forearmed.

                                   do  not archive

 Bill Naumuk

HDS Fuselage

Townville, Pa

 [quote]   ---

naumuk(at)alltel.net
Guest

Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 7:35 am Post subject: 1st Hundred Hours of Building (XL)

Rich-    

     A final note. This e-mail may  sound negative, but it's actually a good thing. You'll find you actually save  time by taking the time to fully research any procedure you're unsure of before  cutting metal. You just have to get over the self imposed time line we all had  when we first started.

     Good  building! 

 Bill Naumuk

HDS Fuselage

Townville, Pa

 [quote]   ---

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