Rivet squeezer didn?t budge a -6 rivet

[nohoflyer]

I?m no body builder but I?m not a wimp either. I tried using my Cleveland hand rivet squeezer on a 426-6 rivet and could not generate the force required to actually squeeze it.

What is the max rivet size for the hand squeezer and when do you have to break out the gun?

[Brantel]

Are you referring to an AN426AD6-? or a AN426AD4-6 ?

You should have no issues squeezing a AN426AD4-6 if the ram is adjusted properly. If you don’t have an adjustable ram, I would highly suggest you get one.

[nohoflyer]

The AN426AD4-6 rivet. Ram seemed to be adjusted properly. I literally couldn?t get it to budge.

[jaradtke]

Try opening up the ram and squeeze it in two stages

[nohoflyer]

I?ll try this.

I ended up back riveting which was great but I was really stumped.

[PilotjohnS]

On almost all of these, I have to double squeeze. First to get it started, and then to final after tightening ram. In really tough spots may do three. Otherwise, my force to squeeze dislodges rivet and it comes out ugly.

[Brantel]

Do you have the main squeeze squeezer or the Avery one with the big fat red handles? The Avery one is much harder to squeeze. Two step squeezing is a good idea on tough ones if you have issues.

[paul330]

You even need to do it in two stages on longer rivets with a pneumatic squeezer.....

[nohoflyer]

I have the Cleveland main squeeze

[maniago]

If at all possible, buck the rivet. Far more control over how the head turns out. That said, I have a main squeeze, and I'll often double or triple squeeze a rivet, with in reason of course. I've also found that when squeezing -4s, as they get longer, you gotta be nuts on or slightly shorter than the optimal un-squeezed size, or they'll heal over on you. Bucking is not hardly half as critical that way....