A local buddy and our EAA chapter tech counseler Rob Brooks mentioned that he had time to assist me with my doubler on Thursday if I needed. Yes I needed!!! The location of the doubler would make it hard to rivet solo.....at least for a guy like me....so I was determined to take him up on the offer.
With the doubler mostly done, I completed the nutplate holes. I went into the outside shop and primed the doubler due to showers in the area. While that was drying I deburred and dimpled the holes in the fuselage with the pop rivet gun dimple dies. I usually take my six flute 100 degree countersink in the drill and then take a very light cut in the dimpled holes because the rivets many times tend to sit just a little proud using those dimple dies.
With the fuse ready, I checked on the doubler. It was nice and dry so I brought it in and installed the two #10 nutplates.
Rob showed up and we were able to rivet the doubler in. We first tried backriveting but that didn't work. So Rob used the tungstun bucking bar while I laid underneath and ran the gun. Had to drill out two rivets but it came out super.
Rob stayed quite a while looking over the project (due to all that's going on it has been a while since we were able to connect) but he looked over the project and gave me a bunch of comments and mentoring......was a fantastic night!
