Dear Bruce (and the Group),

I've found it best to always work from the most recent revision of the
drawings, even if that means purchasing a set. The cost of the
drawings, or some portion of it, can be added to the price of the
tanks, engine mount, or whatever you've been hired to fabricate.

Working from the drawings allows you to address factors the
owner/builder often fails to mention, such as the location of fittings
relative to ribs & spars, or possible interference with other
unmentioned portions of the structure, expecially with regard to engine
mounts.

Having a signed contract in hand which clearly states the component is
fabricated according to the nth revision, xth edition of the plans,
drawing # so-and-so keeps you from having to wear a lawyer on your hip.


Working from the drawings allows you to provide a more accurate
estimate of the cost, since most welded components usually require some
amount of jigging or even construction of a fixture.

In the case of fuel tanks, the drawings are usually specific with
regard to fitting weldments such as the filler neck, venting, drains
and outlets .

For those of us who pick up a bit of change working on the 49% of the
Rule, if the designer spec's a Wag-Aero filler-neck base, I think
that's what the builder should get.

-R.S.Hoover