Poor Riveting

[JonJay]

As usual, thanks to Vic for providing good topics of discussion through discovery in his course of work.

One of the biggest problems I see, relative to the lack of quality, is builders, sometimes not even new builders, unfamiliarity with the acceptable standards.
I am always amazed at how many people that are building or have built who do not know what AC43-13-1b is, let alone the few chapters or even paragraphs that have the basic guidance as to what is acceptable.
On the older Van's manuals (can not speak for the new ones) Van's includes excerpts from AC43 and other sources on acceptable standards. If this builder read this, he sure didn't take heed.

If you accept the "acceptable standards" as a minimum, then you can strive for an even higher standard. The acceptable standards are still well below what many consider a "quality" build, but at least the airframe will be sound.
As an example, the standard allows for you to leave a bad rivet in place, in certain assemblies, and under certain conditions. It is quite possible to meet the standard and have lots of ugly rivets without impeding the airworthiness of the airplane. Vic's example does not meet this by the way, not even close from the pictures he sent.

[Charles in SC]

After looking at those bent over rivets it made me wonder if that is what offset bucking bars and rivet set are used for.

[Blain]

We all know someone who can't work in the shop without an "Adult beverage". I quit using power tools after opening my beverage. Time to just sit back and admire the project. Some people don't feel it makes a difference.

[sbal0906]

Originally Posted by Blain

We all know someone who can't work in the shop without an "Adult beverage". I quit using power tools after opening my beverage. Time to just sit back and admire the project. Some people don't feel it makes a difference.

Or fatigue. As one gets more and more tired as they work into the night, the more one probably has a tendency to say "ya, that's good enough."

Cheers,

[60av8tor]

Originally Posted by sbal0906

Or fatigue. As one gets more and more tired as they work into the night, the more one probably has a tendency to say "ya, that's good enough."

Cheers,

This is what makes me call it a night. The back starts to hurt a bit, I feel my patience beginning to shorten - all subtle signs that I need to pack it in. A few nights ago, I was beginning to feel this way when I made this beauty. Granted, it was a fairly difficult reach to shoot and buck at the same time, but my fatigue definitely played a part. I thought about removing it on the spot, but decided to leave well enough alone, mark it with a red sharpie and leave it for another day.



On a side note, I had to fight like heck to get that shop head out.

[Saville]

Originally Posted by sbal0906

Or fatigue. As one gets more and more tired as they work into the night, the more one probably has a tendency to say "ya, that's good enough."

Cheers,

Or after making one or two mistakes. Everyone is different but I find that if I'm starting to make mistakes it's time to stop - if only for a little while.

[vic syracuse]

I realized I was really tired in the shop one night when I found myself trying to measure the continuity of a circuit with the meter probes placed on the drawing! Immediately turned off the lights without touching anything.

Vic

[60av8tor]

Originally Posted by vic syracuse

I realized I was really tired in the shop one night when I found myself trying to measure the continuity of a circuit with the meter probes placed on the drawing! Immediately turned off the lights without touching anything.

Vic

I'm not the only one. Recently I was looking at a picture from someone's build log on my iPad while working on the plane and tried to blow the fiberglass dust off the part in the picture. I quickly looked to see if anyone was around, turned off the lights, and stepped into the house

[ppilotmike]

My level of patience is usually my indicator. As it gets later in my shop, and I get tired, I usually begin to get impatient with the process. If I keep working, I will likely make a mistake. Over the years, I have learned when to say when in my shop. Also, absolutely no alcohol until the session is over!

The other weird rule I have is: If I drop a rivet and don't see it fall and come to stop with my eyes, then I don't try to find it on the floor. It's considered a "dead rivet" at that point. This is because, in the past, I've picked up what I thought was the dropped rivet and it ended up being a different size. Another time, I found the dropped rivet, inserted and bucked it, only to find that it had been stepped on in the process and the factory head was bent and proud on one edge.

[DonFromTX]

I realized a few days ago it was time to pack it in over rivets. I had discovered I had missed one of those small rivets that hold on a nutplate. I looked and looked for one that was not a countersink one, finally with glee found one! Put it in and pulled the mandrel, so proud I had found one - then noticed that the hole called for a countersink type! Went home instantly!