VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 12-30-2016, 04:53 PM
cdeerinck's Avatar
cdeerinck cdeerinck is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Marcos, CA
Posts: 415
Default Riveting in limited space

I have a pneumatic squeezer, and a rivet gun, but seem to have a situation that comes up enough that I appear to be missing the correct tool.

What should one use when you have a lot of space looking at the rivet from the side, but very limited space when looking from either end.

In case that wasn't clear, imagine looking into a 12" pipe, and you need to set a rivet in the center of the pipe, but 6" inside the edge.

In my case, I was riveting the front seat anchor (F-814HPPX, DWG 76, Forward Seat Belt Attach.) in an RV-8. So I have lots of access from the side of the rivet (up), but very little on either side.

Bad rivets hear could end up giving me a lobotomy.
__________________
~Chuck

DG-800S Sailplane
QB RV-8 -- Working on final wiring and the engine
84CX Reserved
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-30-2016, 05:15 PM
Sully Sully is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Euless, TX
Posts: 64
Default

A long reach "no hole" yoke will give you about 4"
__________________
Sully
RV7 N627RS
Moving into Phase 1
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-30-2016, 05:18 PM
ChrisMallory's Avatar
ChrisMallory ChrisMallory is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Richmond, TX
Posts: 64
Default

you could also try cherry max or some other pop rivet.
__________________
Chris Mallory
A & P
Starting an RV-6
Prior RV-8
Richmond, TX
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-30-2016, 07:24 PM
BillL BillL is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Central IL
Posts: 5,516
Default

I used aviation pull rivets, but to your question - an alligator squeezer is what you are looking for. They don't have adjustable sets, though, they use spacers to set the crush dimension.
__________________
Bill

RV-7
Lord Kelvin:
“I often say that when you can measure what you are speaking about,
and express it in numbers, you know something about it; but when you
cannot measure it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge
is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind.”
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-30-2016, 08:00 PM
cdeerinck's Avatar
cdeerinck cdeerinck is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Marcos, CA
Posts: 415
Default Doesn't work

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sully View Post
A long reach "no hole" yoke will give you about 4"
Sully -- I have one. It doesn't help. I can't get the body of the squeezer on either side. It is close in the center well, but isn't full parallel, and it bends the rivets over. And it won't fit between outboard of the part, because there is not enough space.

Bill - I think you hit it. Sky Geek has one for $265. I hate them for usually being overpriced. I found a new squeezer (not just the yoke) for $375 on eBay. Will shop some more first, but that appears to be the ticket.
__________________
~Chuck

DG-800S Sailplane
QB RV-8 -- Working on final wiring and the engine
84CX Reserved
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-30-2016, 08:23 PM
1001001's Avatar
1001001 1001001 is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Just Minutes from KBVI!
Posts: 1,039
Default

A trick that some firearms builders have used for a cheap alligator squeezer is to buy a set of bolt cutters and grind the jaws to allow squeezing rivets. Do a google search for AK building and rivet squeezing; you'll find some guides. They work on steel rivets; shouldn't be any problem squeezing aluminum ones.

I bet instead of grinding you could drill the jaws to accept standard squeezer rivet sets.

This might be your most cost effective method if you only have a few rivets to squeeze and can't justify the expense of a real squeezer.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-31-2016, 06:48 AM
Sully Sully is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Euless, TX
Posts: 64
Default

If it's that close I would go with the cherrymax the properties are equal or better to a solid. Alligator squeezers are good in some applications but have the same problem as the C squeeze with body interference in tight areas.
__________________
Sully
RV7 N627RS
Moving into Phase 1
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:38 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.