Flush Rivet Set

[Mikeyb]

I haven’t seen anyone post about the Boeing or ST flush rivet set that Brown Aviation sell. If you are working by yourself it is far superior to the other options. The conventional all metal one is the best if someone is bucking the rivet or if it is close to an edge that the bumper can dent but on most rivets it delivers a flat zero mar better than a squeezer finish. The ones with the big red cup are an accident waiting to happen. I threw it away after taking the picture.

[bkervaski]

Good find! Ordering now

I ordered a swivel flush set .. wow another accident waiting to happen .. threw it out after about a minute

[1001001]

I have two of the "Boeing" style ones with the yellow/orange ring around the face, one with a 1" face and one 1.25" They are great.



I don't care for the swivel kind at all. I have never gotten mine to work properly--it skitters around--and I even did the whole process of grinding the edge rubber down like has been suggested.

[Desert Rat]

That Boeing one is the bomb. I got one used in a box full of stuff and use it for pretty much everything I can get away with. If my garage sale special ever wears out, I would happily pay the $50 bucks for a new one and consider it money well spent.

[GeoffP]

I got one (just like the one on the left on the photo) when I was partway through my empennage, and it's definitely the go-to for flush riveting. It's got to be a real tricky rivet to get me to take it out of the gun & use something else.

I have used a swivel set though for bottom wing skin rivets around the flap attach brackets, with tape around the edge so it didn't damage the flap bracket when riveting.

[wirejock]

Everyone is different. My swivel set has built two airplanes. Not a single dent from the set. Love it and helpers always prefer it because it can be a little off perpendicular and still sits flush.

[Reflex]

I have all three.

Put me in the "big red cup with a swivel" camp. Nearly impossible to screw up or put hammer tracks in the surface. I found the key is to trim the rubber to 1/16" by putting it on a disc sander. Only 15,000 rivets in, but I wouldn't be without it.

Different strokes I guess. Go figure!

[romaja]

Originally Posted by Mikeyb

I haven’t seen anyone post about the Boeing or ST flush rivet set that Brown Aviation sell. If you are working by yourself it is far superior to the other options. The conventional all metal one is the best if someone is bucking the rivet or if it is close to an edge that the bumper can dent but on most rivets it delivers a flat zero mar better than a squeezer finish. The ones with the big red cup are an accident waiting to happen. I threw it away after taking the picture.

What diameter is the one on the left? I see Brown offers 3 different diameters? What size and do you recommend more than one size?
Thanks,
Jim

[Mikeyb]

It’s a 3/4”. It was the same size as the Cleveland tool plain set I had previously
I am no expert and kind of shaky. I just tried it and it worked for me.

[romaja]

Thank you!