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  #11  
Old 02-13-2015, 06:55 AM
Tom023 Tom023 is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cypress, TX
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Default Pop rivet nails

Not to highjack the thread but after my initial supply of nails ran out using the pop riveter I couldn't find any suitable replacements. What nails are you using and where did you find them? I've checked HD, Lowes and Ace and so far am SOL.
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  #12  
Old 02-13-2015, 07:00 AM
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Mel Mel is offline
 
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It's been a while since I've done this, but it's never been difficult to find the nails. Just take your dies with you and find a finish nail that fits.

When you are dimpling, start with the air pressure very low and increase slightly until you achieve a good dimple. I can usually do an entire wing skin with about 3 nails.
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  #13  
Old 02-13-2015, 07:27 AM
HFS HFS is offline
 
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Location: Lemoore, CA
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Default Pop Rivet Mandrels

I threw away the nails from the getgo - not enough pulling force (IMO) before the head popped off. So I have used exclusively the steel mandrels out of pop rivets that best fit the holes in the dies & skin. These mandrels are designed with a "frangible" stem - it breaks at an engineered axial load, and is (within manufacturing limits) repeatable. The breaking load is much higher than any nail I could ever find (maybe some hardened ring shank nails would work - just never tried them), and there was always a ready supply as close as my rivet assortment. On -4 holes I opened up the holes in the dies to accept a larger mandrel in order to get more "pulling power" - in some instances you don't need to break the stem to get an acceptable result, and you can keep using the stem/die combination over and over again until fatigue takes over and it finally breaks.

I "harvest" a selection of mandrels ahead of time and keep them with the die sets for ready access when needed.

YMMV - but I'll bet that if you have "gone over to the dark side" and used these mandrels for this purpose, you won't go back to nails anytime soon!

HFS
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  #14  
Old 02-13-2015, 07:30 AM
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rzbill rzbill is offline
 
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**Edited for clarification***

I have used both pop rivet dimpler and used the rivet gun/bucking bar with squeezer sets.
I preferred the shape of the dimple made by the gun/sets over the shape by the particular set of pop rivet dies I had. (maybe they were not the quality that Mel used) They did not make sharp dimples and the heads frequently stood a bit proud.

Turn the pressure way down on the gun and take it easy to prevent putting a "smile" in the sheet.
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Last edited by rzbill : 02-14-2015 at 07:40 PM. Reason: Clarification
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  #15  
Old 02-13-2015, 08:01 AM
dweyant dweyant is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rzbill View Post
I used both pop rivet dimpler and used the gun.
I preferred the shape of the dimple made by the gun over the shape by the particular set of pop rivet dies I had. (maybe they were not the quality that Mel used) They did not make sharp dimples and the heads frequently stood a bit proud.

Turn the pressure way down on the gun and take it easy to prevent putting a "smile" in the sheet.
Bill,

That is a great idea, don't know why i never thought of that!

-Dan
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  #16  
Old 02-13-2015, 09:03 AM
TimO TimO is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Wisconsin
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I missed those same holes.

What I did is:

I have a very heavy bucking bar (steel) that is about
10" long. (You could use any big piece of steel).
I drilled a hole for the female dimple die in the end.
The I pulled the shaft out of my c-frame dimpler
and put the male dimple die in it.

I held the solid bar inside the plane while my wife lined
up the part outside, and I pushed up against the
skin while she whacked the c-frame shaft with the
hammer.

That way they came out just like any other c-frame
dimpled hole.

I do have pop-rivet dimple die tools. I am not sure if mine is
a 3/32" or 1/8" though, and although I've used it before
and made good dimples, I wanted these holes to be
dimpled as well as possible since they would be very
visible and they hold the seat belt bracket.

I think the pop rivet tool will work fine too, and you can
always start with that and change your mind if you wish.

Tim
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  #17  
Old 02-13-2015, 10:02 AM
Barneybc12d Barneybc12d is offline
 
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Thanks for the replies.

RV14 builders - revision 0 page 10-30 step 1 should include #30 holes

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  #18  
Old 02-13-2015, 12:10 PM
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rvbuilder2002 rvbuilder2002 is offline
 
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A Rev. 1 version of Section 10 was published to the Van's web site on 10/17/14.
A revision that addressed this issue was part of that update.
All builders that have e-mail info registered with Van's should have gotten an e-mail notification about the update.

The Section 10 update can be accessed HERE

A list of all updates issued for the RV-14 can be Accessed HERE
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  #19  
Old 02-13-2015, 12:55 PM
RV8 Tom RV8 Tom is offline
 
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With a helper, could you use a "C" frame dimpler?
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  #20  
Old 02-13-2015, 04:08 PM
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LettersFromFlyoverCountry LettersFromFlyoverCountry is offline
 
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I want to start building an airplane again JUST so i can use old mandrels in a pull rivet.

This is one of those tips that's so obvious, I never thought of it.

Great suggestion.
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