Hi Paul,
Not exactly building, but restoring.
A gentleman told me about "some kind of helicopter" that was being sold at an estate sale. I went over and immediately saw that it was a Bensen B8 airframe, minus the cyclic control, rotorhead, and blades. The gyro was never completed nor flown.
The person selling the estate stuff didn't really know exactly what a Bensen Gyrocopter was and saw it as a collection of "junk aluminum." I asked how much and the person said, "Make me an offer." I said $50 and he said, "It yours." I quickly handed over the cash and ran with the parts to my vehicle! I figure the airframe is at least 40 yrs old with all the parts being stored in the rafters of a garage during that whole time.
Most of you know I'm too large and heavy to put an engine on the Bensen B8 airframe and fly it safely. Therefore, I've decided to restore it as a single place gyroglider. I've since milled out a rotorhead and drawing up my own design of a "pump handle" cyclic control using 4130 tubing; keeping the throw inputs to PRA suggested levels. The airframe will be red with a white vertical stab and rudder.
I haven't done much to finish the restoration lately because some house improvement projects have taken precedence.
Wayne