VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

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

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 05-07-2015, 08:59 PM
hucks hucks is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wethersfield, CT
Posts: 4
Default Pop rivet woes

Hi all. I am working on the rudder (-10), and for about the third time, I seem to be breaking the ball free from the shank. So, when I try to slide the tool back down for a second squeeze, the mandrel just moves with the tool. Then, the second squeeze has no resistance.

The first time was on the shear clip/stiffener, so I could see both ends of the rivet. I could see the ball moving away from the shank when I push the tool down on the manufactured head.

What am I doing wrong, and is there a way to avoid cutting the stem and drilling out?

Brian
__________________
2015 VAF dues paid
RV-10 empennage in progress
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-07-2015, 11:57 PM
N546RV's Avatar
N546RV N546RV is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Brookshire, TX
Posts: 1,036
Default

It happens to me from time to time. Do you have any access at all to the backside of the rivet? It may take as little as one finger to hold the stem in place while you push the tool in for another go. Or if you can rig up something, anything to get in there and push against the back side of the rivet.

As for the issue, I'm totally spitballing here, but perhaps your pop rivet tool's jaws are somehow too tight? It sounds as if they're really gripping the stem, even when pushing down towards the work. But even if that's the case, I have no idea if it's even possible to adjust that tension.
__________________
Philip
-8 fuselage in progress (remember when I thought the wing kit had a lot of parts? HAHAHAHAHA)
http://rv.squawk1200.net
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-08-2015, 12:07 AM
rv9builder rv9builder is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Irvine, CA
Posts: 873
Default

It's hard to tell without seeing it, but two things to consider. First, make sure the jaws move freely in your pop riveter. It sounds like they aren't releasing after the first squeeze. The second thing is make sure you have the right size nose piece in the riveter. I've had some weird stuff happen when the nose piece was too large for the diameter of the stem.
__________________
Mark
RV-12iS Fuselage
RV-9A Project: Sold

VAF donation made for 2020
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-08-2015, 12:55 AM
David Lewis David Lewis is offline
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Burbank, CA
Posts: 115
Default Verify Open

Make sure to pull the handles of your pop-rivet tool completely open. If they are even a little bit closed the mandrel may be gripped just enough not to slide further in after that first pull. I have a couple of different tools that I need to pull open in order to release broken off mandrels. Your tool may just need to be verified open to work properly.
__________________
David Lewis
RV-7A
Airframe complete
Engine mounted
Working on FWF and electrical
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-12-2015, 10:43 AM
caryr's Avatar
caryr caryr is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: northwest georgia
Posts: 315
Default

Pop Rivet tools are finicky.

After the pull or squeeze let the spring snap the handle back to the start position. That snap against the stop seems to release the internal jaws best.
__________________
Cary Rhodes
Taylorsville, Georgia
N203CR
Van's RV-7
First Flight April 2004
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-12-2015, 12:55 PM
EllisMcgaughy EllisMcgaughy is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Fayetteville nc
Posts: 23
Default Pop Rivet Woes

I've had this happen too. usually if I can get a pair of tweezers or even the edge of a straight edged razor to put some added resistance on the shank, I can get the squeezer to move down the shank a little before squeezing again. Hope this makes sense.

I've never had to cut / abandon a rivet from this issue happening.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-12-2015, 01:19 PM
Palamedes's Avatar
Palamedes Palamedes is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Blairsville, GA
Posts: 202
Default

I have had this happen too and found that it was because the little head on the poprivet tool wasn't screwed in all the way correctly which prevented the two little jaws on the inside from behaving correctly..
__________________
Jason Ellis
RV-10 - Still pluggin away at it.
Blairsville, GA

Youtube Channel and RV-10 Build Log
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 05:27 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.