Brief Description: Riveting lessons and successful stiffener riveting
Once again, I can't stress how valuable these on-line builder logs and forums can be when embarking on these building adventures. Before starting, I researched other builder sites about how to back rivet properl without the bending rivets. I met a local builder on VansAirforce site and he invied Traci and I down for some rivet tutoring. He was building his 4th airplane! He tutored us on our now scrapped elevator skim and stiffeners. Thanks a lot Andy!
Here is what I learned: - Reduce air pressure so you have a lighter "tap tap tap" on the riveter. He said he would listen to the riveter for the proper "sound". I found that about 37psi works well on our setup. - Try to give it a good quick blast mabye 3 seconds at the lower pressure. I learned that if you rivet too slowly, the metal hardens quickly and may not flatten out as easily. - After a squirt with the gun, check if the rivet is leaning. If it is, simply tip the riverter toward the lean and give it a blast. That seems to recover rivets fairly well. Just don't stress over if some are leaning slightly. More damage can be done removing the rivet, so if it's just borderline of being replaced, you may just leave it as it is.
The new Avery rivet set worked wonderfully.
New thicker plastic Avery backrivet set.
Done. Look at that flat pretty skin. Worked great with some tutoring. Thanks Andy!
