Workshop, Tools & Supplies
N720AK Build & Maintenance Reference
Overview
This page documents the tools, supplies, and workshop equipment used to build and maintain N720AK. It also collects condition inspection tips and lessons learned — access tricks, fastener notes, and reassembly gotchas that aren’t in any manual.
Specialty Aircraft Tools
Cleaveland Aircraft Tool
| Item | Part # | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Torque seal anti-sabotage lacquer | TORQ | |
| #30 cobalt threaded drill bit | DBT30 | |
| #40 cobalt threaded drill bit | DBT40 | |
| Cobalt jobber drill #28 | DBJ28 | |
| Threaded extruded AEX tie down block | RVTD-AEX | |
| Tail light adapter ring | RVTLR | |
| Static ports and plumbing kit | SPFKIT | |
| Jig brackets set of 6 | RVJB6 | |
| 1/2“ long flat squeezer set | SSF8 | |
| #40 straight flute reamer | RSF40 | |
| #30 straight flute reamer | RSF30 | |
| 3pc. aluminum deburr handle | DBS33 | |
| Edge deburring blade | DBB70 | |
| 3/32“ Wedge-Loc clecos 100/bag (x4) | CL332-100 | |
| Small dia. female die - 3/32“ rivet | DIE4263S | |
| 3/32“ close quarters die set | DIE4263CQ | |
| #8 screw dimpler set | 1026 | |
| Cobalt jobber drill #36 | DBJ36 | |
| Air hose fitting | ACM23M14 | |
| Stainless tie down ring (x3 total) | RVTR4 | |
| Oil door hidden hinge | RVHH1 | |
| RV-10 wheel pant axle extenders (pair) | RVAE10 | |
| Countersink cutter - 3/32“ rivet | CC40 | |
| Engine mount alignment pins | 282 | For engine mount installation |
| Glare shield vinyl | GSF15BLACK | Black |
| Glare shield edge trim 60“ | GSE60 | |
| Rivet set holder | Z-CF-SETHOLDER | |
| Dimple die set for 3/32“ rivet | DIE4263 | |
| 0.311“ straight flute reamer | RSF311 | |
| Cobalt jobber drill 5/16“ | DBJ516 | |
| Union straight fitting 1/4 push-on (x4) | SA-F11 | For fuel/vacuum lines |
| Push-on union tee fitting 1/4“ O.D. (x3) | SPF140TEE | |
| 5/16“ x 5/8“ countersink cutter | — | |
| SkyView plumbing kit | — |
Industrial Services of WNY (iflyrv10.com)
Billet brackets and custom RV-10 parts:
| Item | Qty |
|---|---|
| Billet trim bracket | 1 |
| F1095C trim cable bellcrank brackets | 1 |
| F1095G trim cable anchor bracket | 1 |
| F1011D bar support bracket | 1 |
| F1012D up elevator stop | 1 |
| HS1008 horizontal stab attach bracket | 1 |
Electronics & Sensors
PLX Devices
| Item | Part # | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SM-AFR Wideband DM-6 Gauge Combo (Gen4) | 897346002719 | Shipped to Steinair c/o Nick Millard |
Mouser Electronics
Digi-Key
Hardware & General Supplies
Aircraft Spruce
| Item | Part # | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MS21044N06 elastic stop nut (x2 packs of 25) | AN365-632A-25 | |
| Artex ELT 345 replacement battery | 11-14134 / 8322 | |
| Royco 782 hydraulic fluid (x2 qt) | 08-07539-1 | Brake fluid |
| MS21042-3 stop nut (x2 packs of 25) | MS21042-3-25 | |
| Vinyl figure 3“ black letter A (x2) | 09-3310A | Registration letters |
| Dynon heated pitot tube | — | |
| Roll servo | — | |
| Gretz bracket | — | |
| VOR antenna | — |
Harbor Freight
Maintenance Supplies
Consumables to Keep on Hand
| Supply | Spec / Part # | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Royco 782 hydraulic fluid | MIL-PRF-83282 | Brake system — never use automotive brake fluid |
| Aeroshell #5 grease | — | Wheel bearing repack (annual) |
| LPS-2 or equivalent | — | Control hinge lubrication |
| Viton O-ring #160 | COTS | Billet cover replacement |
| Viton crush washers | One Hydraulics | Fuel pump fittings |
Wheels & Brakes
MATCO Manufacturing
| Item | Part # | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| WHL & BRK WI600 RV-10 config (x2) | WHLWI600XLT-2 | |
| Spacer sleeve, axle RV-10 (x2) | WHLARV10SL | |
| Washer, A6 1.50 (x2) | MSCTRA1.5 |
Modifications & Accessories
AirWard
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| RV-10 Tunnel Access (Southco) Kit |
MotoPOD
Hardpoint kit for belly cargo pod. Correspondence with David Shelton (2015-2016). Hardpoints installed during build; pod itself was never produced for RV-10.
Gallagher Aviation
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| SwitcheOn 2/15A (2-channel 15A remote power control) | Includes remote antenna & Hornet 700W cabin heater option |
| Replacement fuse: Littelfuse 0456015.DR | 456 series, 15A, 125V AC/DC, SMD (10.1 × 3.05 mm). Soldered on board — not field-replaceable. |
Mountain High
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| IPR repair |
Savvy Aviation
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Engine analysis subscription | N720AK Van’s RV-10 |
Condition Inspection
Tips & Lessons Learned
Hard-won notes on access, fasteners, and reassembly — things that aren’t in any manual.
Interior Panels
- Front seat pan panels — outboard bottom screw (pilot & copilot): The outboard bottom screw on each front panel is partially blocked by the gear leg tube and the AeroSport plastic side panel. To install this screw without stripping it, pull back the plastic side panel first, then use a long screwdriver laid against the gear leg tube. Do NOT attempt to drive this screw with the plastic panel in place — you will strip the screw head.
AN/MS/NAS Fastener Cross-Reference
Van’s RV-10 plans use AN (Air Force-Navy) part numbers, but most retailers now sell under MS (Military Standard) or NAS (National Aerospace Standard) designations. The fasteners are identical — only the numbering system changed. This table maps between systems.
How to Read AN Part Numbers
Bolts (AN3-AN20):
AN4-7A = AN standard, 4 = 4/16“ (1/4“) diameter, 7 = 7/8“ grip length (in 1/8“ increments), A = no drilled shank (cotter pin hole Absent). Without the “A” suffix, the shank is drilled for a cotter pin. For longer bolts: -12 = 1-1/4“ (first digit = whole inches, second = 1/8“ increments, so 1“ + 2/8“).
Hex head bolts (AN3-AN20) use the bolt number to encode diameter:
| AN # | Diameter | Thread |
|---|---|---|
| AN3 | 10-32 (3/16“) | 10-32 UNF |
| AN4 | 1/4“ | 1/4-28 UNF |
| AN5 | 5/16“ | 5/16-24 UNF |
| AN6 | 3/8“ | 3/8-24 UNF |
| AN7 | 7/16“ | 7/16-20 UNF |
| AN8 | 1/2“ | 1/2-20 UNF |
Rivets (AN426, AN470):
AN426AD4-5 = AN standard, 426 = 100-degree countersunk head, AD = 2117-T4 aluminum alloy, 4 = 4/32“ (1/8“) diameter, 5 = 5/16“ length (in 1/16“ increments).
| Material Code | Alloy | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A | 1100 (pure Al) | Soft, for non-structural |
| AD | 2117-T4 | Standard structural rivet |
| DD | 2024-T4 | Higher strength, must be ice-boxed |
| B | 5056 | For magnesium structures |
Screws (AN507, AN509, AN515, AN525, AN526):
AN509-10R8 = AN standard, 509 = 100-degree flush structural, 10 = 10-32 thread, R = Phillips recess, 8 = 8/16“ (1/2“) total length.
Nuts:
AN365-1032A = AN standard, 365 = elastic stop nut, 1032 = 10-32 thread, A = cadmium-plated steel. Suffix “C” = stainless steel.
Screws
| AN Number | MS/NAS Number | Type | Structural? | Strength | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AN507 | MS24693 (cad), MS24693C (SS) | 82-degree flat countersunk, Phillips | Non-structural | 60,000 PSI | Same head angle as wood screws |
| AN509 | MS24694 (cad), MS24694C (SS) | 100-degree flush countersunk, Phillips | Structural | 125,000 PSI | Most common flush screw in RV-10 |
| AN515 | MS35206 (cad), MS35207 (SS) | Pan head, Phillips | Non-structural | 60,000 PSI | Round protruding head |
| AN525 | AN525 (no MS supersession) | Washer head, Phillips | Structural | 125,000 PSI | Alloy steel, integral washer head |
| AN526 | MS35206 / MS35207 | Truss head, Phillips | Non-structural | 55,000 PSI | Low-profile protruding head; shares MS number with AN515 |
Aircraft Spruce lists AN509 screws under MS24694, AN507 under MS24693, and AN515/AN526 under MS35206. AN525 washer head screws are still sold under the AN525 designation.
Solid Rivets
| AN Number | MS Number | Head Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN426 | MS20426 | 100-degree countersunk (flush) | Most common rivet in RV-10 skins |
| AN470 | MS20470 | Universal head (protruding) | Used where flush not required |
Aircraft Spruce lists these under the MS20426 / MS20470 numbers but cross-references the AN numbers on each product page.
Rivet sizing examples:
| Part Number | Diameter | Length | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN426AD3-3 | 3/32“ | 3/16“ | Single skin to rib |
| AN426AD3-3.5 | 3/32“ | 7/32“ | Two 0.032“ skins |
| AN426AD3-4 | 3/32“ | 1/4“ | Two 0.040“ skins |
| AN426AD4-4 | 1/8“ | 1/4“ | Spar caps, heavy structure |
| AN426AD4-5 | 1/8“ | 5/16“ | Thicker stack-ups |
| AN426AD4-6 | 1/8“ | 3/8“ | Three-layer joints |
| AN470AD4-4 | 1/8“ | 1/4“ | Universal head, interior structure |
Bolts
| AN Number | Current Designation | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN3-AN20 | NASM3-NASM20 (identical PINs) | Hex head machine bolt | AN numbers still universally accepted; NASM is the current spec |
| AN3H-AN20H | NASM3-NASM20 (drilled head variants) | Hex head, drilled shank | “H” = drilled head for safety wire |
| AN73 | MS20073 | Drilled head engine bolt | 10-32 thread, fine-pitch, for engine accessories |
| NAS6603-NAS6610 | NAS6603-NAS6610 | Close-tolerance hex head | 160 KSI, short thread, shear applications |
AN3-AN20 bolt part numbers remain identical under the NASM designation. Aircraft Spruce and other retailers sell them under both AN and NASM numbers interchangeably. AN4-7A = NASM4-7A = 1/4“ bolt, 7/8“ grip, no cotter pin hole.
NAS6603-NAS6610 are NOT direct substitutes for AN bolts — they are close-tolerance bolts for shear applications with different specifications (160 KSI vs ~125 KSI for AN bolts).
Nuts
| AN Number | MS Number | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN310 | NASM310 (identical PINs) | Castle nut (castellated) | Full-height, for drilled bolts with cotter pin. Used in critical tension joints |
| AN315 | AN315 | Plain hex nut | Standard nut, full height |
| AN316 | MS20316 | Check nut (thin jam nut) | Half the tension load of AN315. Locks rod ends, adjusting screws. R/L hand thread |
| AN320 | NASM320 (identical PINs) | Shear castle nut (thin) | Thinner than AN310, for shear-only bolts |
| AN363 | MS21083 | Elastic stop nut, thin (all-metal) | High-temp, thin profile |
| AN364 | MS21083 | Elastic stop nut, thin (nylon insert) | Low-profile nylon lock |
| AN365 | MS20365 / MS21044 | Elastic stop nut (nylon insert) | Full-height, for tension bolts. 125,000 PSI, 250F max |
Aircraft Spruce sells AN365 nuts under the MS21044 number (e.g., MS21044N3 = AN365-1032A). The AN310 castle nut is sold as NASM310 with identical part numbering.
Washers
| AN Number | Current Designation | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN960 | NAS1149 (superseded in 2011) | Flat washer (standard) | Light series. One under bolt head, one under nut. Still sold as AN960 |
| AN970 | AN970 (no supersession) | Large-area flat washer | Oversized OD for soft materials or large bearing area |
MS20002 / NAS1439 washers are for internal-wrenching (socket head) bolts only — they are NOT equivalents for AN960 or AN970.
Blind Rivets
| Designation | Cross-Reference | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS4-4 | BSC-44 (Cherry) | 120-degree countersunk blind rivet | 1/8“ diameter, common in Van’s plans for bottom wing skins. Not as flush as AN426 |
| LP4-3 | — (Van’s/Gesipa designation) | Open-end multi-grip blind rivet | 1/8“ diameter, grip 0.039“-0.197“. Standard “pop rivet” in RV plans |
| CR3212-4-x | CherryMAX countersunk | 100-degree flush structural blind | High-strength, locked spindle. Builder upgrade for CS4-4 |
| CR3213-4-x | CherryMAX universal head | Universal head structural blind | High-strength, locked spindle. Builder upgrade for LP4 |
| CR3242-4-x | CherryMAX countersunk (oversize) | 100-degree flush, oversized | For holes drilled or worn oversize |
| CR3243-4-x | CherryMAX universal (oversize) | Universal head, oversized | For holes drilled or worn oversize |
Blind rivet dash numbers: First number = diameter in 32nds (4 = 1/8“), second number = max grip in 16ths (3 = 3/16“, 4 = 1/4“, 5 = 5/16“).
CherryMAX (CR32xx) rivets are a significant upgrade over CS4-4 and LP4-3: they have a locked spindle that creates a bulbed blind-side head similar to a solid rivet, providing higher shear and tension strength. Many builders substitute them throughout the build.
Nutplates (Anchor Nuts)
| Designation | MS Number | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| K1000 | MS21047 / NAS680N | Fixed, two-lug, all-metal self-locking | Standard fixed nutplate. K1000-3 = 10-32, K1000-4 = 1/4-28 |
| MK1000 | MS21069 / NAS697N | Fixed, two-lug, miniature | Smaller footprint version of K1000 |
| K1100 | K1100 (no direct MS) | Fixed, two-lug, dimpled | Nests into dimpled skin for flush countersunk screws |
| MS21059 | MS21059 | Floating, two-lug, low-height | Allows screw alignment tolerance |
| MS21078 | MS21078 | Fixed, two-lug, elastic insert | Fixed with nylon insert |
Nutplates are riveted to structure with AN426AD3 rivets (typically -3.5 length). The K1000 series is by far the most common in RV-10 construction.
Cotter Pins & Clevis Pins
| AN Number | MS Number | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN380 | MS24665 (cadmium-plated steel) | Split cotter pin | Used with AN310/AN320 castle nuts |
| AN381 | MS24665 (passivated stainless) | Split cotter pin (CRES) | Corrosion-resistant version |
| AN393 | MS20392 (supersedes AN392-AN396) | Clevis pin | Straight headed pin with drilled shank, secured with cotter pin |
Aircraft Spruce lists cotter pins under MS24665. Example: AN380-4-5 = MS24665-355 (1/8“ dia, 1-1/4“ long).
Quick-Reference Summary
For the most common RV-10 fasteners, here is what to search for at Aircraft Spruce:
| Van’s Plans Call-Out | Search Aircraft Spruce For |
|---|---|
| AN426AD3-3.5 | MS20426AD3-3.5 |
| AN470AD4-4 | MS20470AD4-4 |
| AN509-10R8 | MS24694 (find by thread/length) |
| AN507-8R6 | MS24693 (find by thread/length) |
| AN515-8R8 | MS35206 (find by thread/length) |
| AN525-10R8 | AN525-10R8 (still AN) |
| AN365-1032A | MS21044N3 |
| AN310-3 | NASM310-3 or AN310-3 |
| AN960-10 | AN960-10 or NAS1149 |
| AN3-5A | AN3-5A or NASM3-5A |
| AN380-2-2 | MS24665 (find by size) |
| K1000-3 | K1000-3 or MS21047 |
| CS4-4 | BSC-44 (Cherry) or CS4-4 |
| LP4-3 | LP4-3 |
Sources
- Aircraft Spruce MS24694 (AN509)
- Aircraft Spruce MS24693 (AN507)
- Aircraft Spruce MS35206 (AN515)
- Aircraft Spruce AN525
- Aircraft Spruce AN426 Solid Rivets
- Aircraft Spruce AN365 Elastic Stop Nuts
- Aircraft Spruce AN310 Castle Nuts
- Aircraft Spruce AN960 Flat Washers
- Aircraft Spruce AN970 Large Washers
- Aircraft Spruce K1000 Nutplates
- Aircraft Spruce Cherry Rivets
- Aircraft Spruce MS24665 Cotter Pins
- Aircraft Spruce CherryMAX CR3213
- Monroe Aerospace AN960/NAS1149 Cross-Reference Chart
- Skybolt AN-MS-NAS Hardware Reference (PDF)
- Pegasus Auto Racing AN Bolt Identification
- FAA AC 43.13-1B Chapter 7 - Bolts
- Spencer Aircraft Fastener Cross-References
Hangar Facility — KBDU
Flooring
Swisstrax Ribtrax Pro interlocking tiles, Slate Grey. Wall-to-wall coverage of KBDU hangar. Custom L-shaped layout: ~41’ x 15’6“ main area with 18’6“ x 7’6“ extension.
| Item | Part # | Qty | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ribtrax Pro (Standard Colors) - Slate Grey | 504.000.200C | 549 | Main floor tiles |
| Looped Edge Pro - Slate Grey | C504.031.200a | 32 | Perimeter edge pieces |
Ordered 2026-01-26 from Swisstrax (Order #60309, rep Jacob Crawford). Total $4,337.01. Invoice filed at Private/Invoices/swisstrax-hangar-flooring-order-60309-2026-01-26.pdf.
References
All order confirmations and invoices archived to Google Drive Private/Invoices/ organized by vendor.