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  #1  
Old 02-14-2006, 07:26 PM
jany77 jany77 is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: monterey ,ca
Posts: 105
Default rivet gun 2x or 3x

have guestion about rivet gun 2x or 3x i know just little bid about the difference but which one do you guys recomend
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  #2  
Old 02-14-2006, 08:23 PM
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wingtime wingtime is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Clearwater, FL
Posts: 287
Default 3x

3X with a mini regulator on it. You can always turn the 3X down but you can't turn the 2X up. Since the 3X has a longer stroke it's easier to hear the individual hits the hamer makes. In time you'll get an "ear" for the correct number hits to drive a rivet. Also the 2X is almost maxed out ona -4 rivet. If your like me your gonna have goofs here and there and need to drive a -5 rivet. Also I have been using my gun to help with friends projects requiring larger rivets.
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  #3  
Old 02-15-2006, 06:46 AM
dgrayent dgrayent is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 52
Default

3X. Period. For the reasons in a previous post. My 2X has been idle for a couple of years.

Don Gray
-7A in progress
N17QB
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  #4  
Old 02-15-2006, 06:48 AM
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13brv3 13brv3 is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Tellico Plains, TN
Posts: 561
Default

On the other hand, the 2X is a little shorter, which makes it easier to work on parts that require you to reach around something for the rivet (forward rivets on leading edge skins, or tanks for example). It's also lighter.

I used a 3X for every RV I've worked on so far, but just finally broke down and bought a 2X to use for the current (enroute I hope) RV-8.

Of course if I had used a 2X all this time, I might have just decided I needed a 3X. Don't ya love all these decisions

Bottom line is- either will work.
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  #5  
Old 02-15-2006, 08:27 AM
BillC BillC is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Ramona, Ca
Posts: 259
Default

The 2X works great for the smaller AD3 rivets especially on the wing skins, but I found that on the 470-AD4s even with pressure turned up it took a long trigger on time to get proper shop heads. I borrowed may hanger mate's 3X and it made a world of difference on the AD4s. Bottom line is that if I had to make the choice again I would go with the 3X and just turn down the pressure for the AD3s. Perhaps if you can swing it get both or borrow one when needed.
\Good luck/
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  #6  
Old 02-15-2006, 08:50 AM
gpiney gpiney is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The Beautiful NJ Shore
Posts: 409
Default 3X - what pressures do you use?

I just received my tool kit and have been 'practicing' a bit. It would be helpful to know what different pressures to use on the different rivet sizes. Can't seem to get anything consistent. I need some starting points.

Thanks

Greg Piney
RV-8 Soontobe
Setting up Shop
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  #7  
Old 02-15-2006, 08:52 AM
C-GRVT C-GRVT is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 305
Default

I started my 6A with a 2X, and had no problems and good results until I needed to set some 1/8 rivets in thick (well backed) material- for example, the tank to fuselage heavy angle brackets, and the spar web to leading edge - I found the 2x, even at high line pressures, did not have enough power to set these rivets without an excessively long burst, and the risk of work-hardening. I acquired a 3X gun, which made these easy. Now, I find I prefer the 3X generally, and hardly use the 2X.
Bill Brooks
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  #8  
Old 02-15-2006, 09:42 AM
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keen9a keen9a is offline
 
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Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 242
Default Pressures

Quote:
Originally Posted by gpiney
It would be helpful to know what different pressures to use on the different rivet sizes. Can't seem to get anything consistent. I need some starting points.
Dan Checkoway has a nice guide on his site that got me started (bottom of page): http://www.rvproject.com/rivets.html

I also started with a 2X gun, but eventually bought a 3X as well because long 1/8" rivets are pretty tough to set with the 2X. With the 3X they are cake. I do still like the 2X better for smaller rivets though.
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  #9  
Old 02-15-2006, 03:46 PM
plaurence plaurence is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 74
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 13brv3
On the other hand, the 2X is a little shorter, which makes it easier to work on parts that require you to reach around something for the rivet (forward rivets on leading edge skins, or tanks for example). It's also lighter.

I used a 3X for every RV I've worked on so far, but just finally broke down and bought a 2X to use for the current (enroute I hope) RV-8.

Of course if I had used a 2X all this time, I might have just decided I needed a 3X. Don't ya love all these decisions

Bottom line is- either will work.
Gee Rusty,

An eight , a 3 and another eight?

Two and a half years later, I'm just finishing my wings!

Peter Laurence
RV9A
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  #10  
Old 02-15-2006, 04:40 PM
alpinelakespilot2000 alpinelakespilot2000 is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,646
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gpiney
I just received my tool kit and have been 'practicing' a bit. It would be helpful to know what different pressures to use on the different rivet sizes. Can't seem to get anything consistent. I need some starting points.
Real simple for me:
35-40# for 3/32 (whatever happens to be on the regulator at the time)
60# for 1/8 unless using offsets in which case 65# usually does the trick.

Some people have multiple pressures they use and even have, apparently, put a stopwatch to their bursts and use that as a guide. I just use the above pressures and hit it until the shop head is right. Usually a slow 2 seconds, sometimes 3. If you're REAL good, you can hear when the rivet is set by a change in the tone.

You'll get the feel for what works for you soon.
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