Accidentally dimpled a new hole through the skin

[SantosDumont]

Is this oops salvageable? Or am I buying a new horizontal stabilizer skin?

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...Q0cG9hcDFRT2JB

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1Q...Q0cG9hcDFRT2JB

[PaulvS]

The typical fix for something like this (it happens) is to flatten the stray dimple and then insert 2 new rivets either side, spaced mid-way to the next rivet in the line.
The figure 8 hole can be filled in later on with epoxy, before painting.

[Carl Froehlich]

I’d buy a new skin, but that is just me.

A repair might be:
- Add a 0.032” doubler behind that rivet hole, extending to the rivets on each side (so the doubler has three rivets in it.
- Drill out the one bad hole (and the doubler) to 1/8” and dimple the skin and doubler to 1/8”. The doubler other holes are dimpled to 3/32” to match the skin dimples.

No one will notice the one larger rivet in the skin.

Carl

[Kyle Boatright]

I'd put a rivet in the "normal" hole, flatten the extra hole, and add a rivet on either side of the normal hole. Whoever you get to paint it will take care of the cosmetics. I'm pretty sure that was the factory advice I received 25 years ago.

[DickDe]

I did just the same on my horizontal about 20 years ago. Fixed it like Paul & kyle said and it is there yet today after 17 years and 600+ hours. It just blends in with all the other rivets.

Dick DeCramer
RV6 N500DD
Faribault, MN

[Michael Burbidge]

Maybe it's just the photo, but the holes in general do not look very crisply dimpled. The immediately surrounding skin should lay very flat.

How are you dimpling these? I assume with a C-Frame.

Michael-

[Taltruda]

I agree with the above about these dimples not being made hard enough. You don’t want the pillowing around the holes like this. Search for Cleaveland tool dimple videos. Ask around for some mentors in your area, or see about taking a class, it’ll make your build go more enjoyable to get some pointers!

[rongawer]

Rather than placing multiple rivets, another option is to oversize the hole and rivet, either with an “oops” rivet, or just go to the next size up that engulfs the incorrect hole.

What you’ve done is a pretty common error, so you’re not alone. Slow down the dimpling process and be sure you’re in the hole visually each time and you’ll be fine.

[SantosDumont]

Originally Posted by Michael Burbidge

Maybe it's just the photo, but the holes in general do not look very crisply dimpled. The immediately surrounding skin should lay very flat.

How are you dimpling these? I assume with a C-Frame.

Michael-

I'm using a DRDT2. I guess I needed to adjust the strength. I did that, then redimpled a few of them and it looks crisper.

[salty]

I'm curious how you managed to do that with a DRDT2. I ask so I can try to avoid following in your footsteps.