Brief Description: Rivet Stiffeners to Rudder Skin
Finished riveting R-815A-H L/R stiffeners to R-801PP rudder skin. Had to drill out and reinstall three rivets nearest to the bend in the skin.
Eventually, I tried Jim Ellis’s technique of using thin pieces of tubing over the shop ends of the rivets. Produced a really nice result. I’ll use this technique on all surface rivets in the future.
Also learned from Earl Swan about the proper use of rivet tape. The tape should hold the rivets in place, but allow them some freedom of movement as the shop head is driven. I can still use the 3” rivet tape I purchased along with some used tools.
Bent skin in the “brake” mentioned earlier in this log. Needed a lot of pressure on the “brake” to get the desired bend. Skin now fit’s on the R-802PP rudder spar very nicely.
The larger hole in the stiffeners was made to hang the parts easier in the paint booth. It is the same size as “tooling” holes used in some of the larger pieces, i.e., ribs.
