Brief Description: New 2X Rivet gun and flush sets
I ended up ordering a 2X rivet gun from Avery and it showed up today. It looks nice but I didn’t get a chance to try it. I need to go get an air fitting for it. The opinions on VAF were on both sides as to the necessity of having both a 3X and a 2X gun. Some say using a 2X is tougher to handle because they run at a higher frequency then a 3X, but many like them specifically for setting 3/32 rivets in the skin. Looking at the Plane Tools site where I got my tool kit (with a 3X gun) they recommended against them for inexperienced users. It took me a while to make up my mind. I also ordered two new flush rivet sets from the Yard Store. One has a swivel head and the other has a rubber ring. The swivel head helps when riveting at an angle and the rubber ring helps keep the gun from traveling. I got the idea for these from the VAF forum also. 5/5 update – I scavenged a fitting off a blow gun after buying the wrong fitting and wanting to get started. I got out both guns and went at a big block of wood to get a feel for the differences between the two guns. The 2X has a higher BPM and a lighter strike. The 3X gun has a better “teasing trigger” so I was initially disappointed. But after getting used to it by setting 3/32 flush rivets in my right side leading edge skins, I really got to liking it. It feels more suited/appropriate for these tiny rivets then the big 3X gun.
