Pneumatic Squeezer gap length

[echozulu]

Originally Posted by Freemasm

Forgive me if you're already verified this. It's not clear (to me) from your description. The mechanism in the squeezer is such that it doesn't develop full force until the very end of it's travel. Mentioning just in case your set/ram gap is too small.

I've read about that, but it doesn't seem like the case here. When I adjust it past the "gap" I calculated by adding more shim washers, it over-rivets the shop head, as in pancaking too much. So I don't think it's not developing enough force, but rather I don't have the correct gap length set. I could be totally off base on this though and I will try to widen the gap tonight to see if I get better results.

[echozulu]

Originally Posted by Steve Iacoviello

I built my 9A only using using washers, thin and standard. I found that once you learn the correct combination of washers for a given rivet length no adjustment needed. Very repeatable and quick.

Doesn't this change with the material thickness being riveted or does it not affect it that much?

[BobTurner]

Originally Posted by echozulu

Doesn't this change with the material thickness being riveted or does it not affect it that much?

For a given length rivet, the material thickness should vary only a little.
For the record, I used the 'fixed set lengths plus washers' method. As others said, you very quickly build up a chart of what's needed for various rivet lengths and sizes. Or, the ability to eye-ball it pretty close.