If the hole size exceeds the maximum, then the hole must be drilled out to the next larger size and a larger rivet used.RV-8 builder Eddie Rohwedder demonstrates back riveting on this floor section. A 3X gun is ideal for 1/8-inch rivets, but also works well with 3/32-inch rivets and marginally on 5/32-inch rivets.
Start by center punching the head of the rivet (the shop head with the dimple in it). Best practices will entail doing this correctly, with the correct rivets installed at the correct spacing and edge clearance.There are lots of different types of rivets, but only a relatively few are of interest to amateur airplane builders, so we will keep our focus on those and refer you to AC43.13-1B for more information on the many types of rivets that do not apply to us. They will need to place the air hammer bit on the end of the solid rivet to easily hammer it flat onto the metal surface. As a general rule, a 2X gun is ideal for 3/32-inch rivets and works for 1/8-inch rivets. Use the same method on each rivet in turn to finish securing the metal togetherOnce this is complete, you need to go around and check your project all over for a tight fit. They should be spaced every couple of inches for the best holding power.Using the same diameter drill bit as the solid rivets, drill through the pieces you’re joining. There is also an “A” or alligator type, but it is less common. Since we covered blind rivets in a previous article, we will focus on solid aircraft rivets in this article. The bucking bar in the upper left corner is made of tungsten carbide. Description: 1/16: 3/32: 1/8: 5/32: 3/16: 1/4: Round Head: 4302: 4303: 4304: 4305: 4306: 4308: Flat Head: 4422: 4423: 4424: 4425: 4426: 4428: Braizer Head: 4552: 4553: 4554: 4555: The one in the gun and most of the others are for universal head rivets, and the one opposite the gun is for flush rivets. of builders, it was only natural that he would make his living as a contractor and spend his leisure time building airplanes.

They are easily identified by the small dimple found in the center of their heads. They can also be used to join titanium parts. Lengths and diameters are shown in the suffix, with the first number being the diameter in 1/32 inch and the second number being the grip length in 1/16 inch.
Place a rivet of the correct diameter and length in the hole.

Changing the yoke on the rivet squeezer will allow it to be used in different situations where clearances dictate one option or another.Hand rivet squeezers work well for many applications where there is access from an edge. These sizes can often be hard to find, so it may take some effort to locate a source.AD-type rivets with oversized shanks, sometimes called “oops” rivets, are available in limited sizes to replace rivets in damaged holes. When I first started using rivets I knew the basics: drill a hole, insert the rivet, pound the heck out of it. The table shows the optimum hole size and the maximum hole size for common rivets. use adhesives or ugly nuts and bolts when you can use permanent solid round rivets to create a nice looking solid connection. If you actually have more than a very few 5/32-inch rivets to drive, you really need a 4X gun, but this would not be likely for most amateur airplane builders.Besides rivet guns and rivet squeezers, you will also need various rivet sets and dimple dies. This is opposed to the manufactured head that should remain unchanged.A typical metal airplane kit will include rivets of many different lengths. When he isn’t building something, he shares his love of aviation with others by flying Young Eagles or volunteering as an EAA Technical Counselor. With this method the bucking bar or bucking surface is applied to the manufactured head, and the rivet set pounds on the tail of the rivet. Thus a rivet with a shop head that is slightly off should not be replaced unless it falls outside of this range. Different shapes will work for different access situations. Widely used in the aircraft manufacturing industry, solid shank rivets are relatively low-cost, permanently installed fasteners. Needless to say, the countersink cutter needs to be held squarely with the hole to produce an even recess for the flush rivet head.With the rivet hole properly drilled and deburred (and countersunk if necessary), it is time to install a rivet. The process is very loud.Back riveting is a popular way to drive flush rivets. Only after feeling that pressure should the riveter press on the trigger of the rivet gun. This one cost $70.Rivet guns come in sizes, so it is important to match the size of your gun to the size of the rivets to be driven. MIL-R-47196A, MILITARY SPECIFICATION: RIVETS, BUCK TYPE, PREPARATION FOR AND INSTALLATION OF (06-SEP-1977) [S/S BY NASM47196]. The various builder forums can be very helpful in deciding just what to get to do a certain job.Rivets that didn’t come out so well will need to be removed.