Rivets for attaching plastic NACA vents to skin

[alpinelakespilot2000]

For those who riveted their plastic NACA vents to the fuse skin, what size rivet did you use? I would like to use MK319's left over from the canopy but not sure if they have sufficiently long grip. Normally I would just test this myself, but I only have the exact number I need... I can't afford to waste one on a test! Should I give them a go or just use the larger CS-4's?

(Yes, I know I could probably get by with just proseal and no rivets at all... but I'm past that stage.)

Thanks.

[RV6_flyer]

About 15 years ago, I attached my NACA vents with proseal. My RV-6 has now been flying 10 years as of September and I have over 2,074 hobbs hours on it. No problems with the vents. Cannot see even a crack. They look just like they are part of the airplane.

[alpinelakespilot2000]

Thanks Gary, but notice the last line of my post. I'm past the stage where that is an option.

[Warren Moore]

you can always make a flange of .016 alum. around the vent for the rivets to pull/seat against. But I would still proseal it in any event.

[RV8RIVETER]

I made two small half moon doublers out of scrap aluminum and then a thin layer of proseal and used normal flush rivets but soft set. No problems with distorting or cracking the vent and gave a very nice clamping force.

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

Originally Posted by RV6_flyer

About 15 years ago, I attached my NACA vents with proseal. My RV-6 has now been flying 10 years as of September and I have over 2,074 hobbs hours on it. No problems with the vents. Cannot see even a crack. They look just like they are part of the airplane.

How did you clamp it 'til cured. Or did you?

[alpinelakespilot2000]

This thread is a great example of thread drift...

Back to the original, and only, question... can anyone tell me if MK-319's have sufficient reach to get through the skin, through the vent, and through an .019 backing strip?

I'm trying to get this done tonight, hence my persistance.

[robertahegy]

You guys are a bunch of whoosies. I put mine on with AN 3 rivets.

Roberta

[Rick6a]

Originally Posted by alpinelakespilot2000

This thread is a great example of thread drift...

Back to the original, and only, question... can anyone tell me if MK-319's have sufficient reach to get through the skin, through the vent, and through an .019 backing strip?

I'm trying to get this done tonight, hence my persistance.

The best way to know for sure is to make up a simple stackup simulating the total material thickness and set a MK-319 through it.

[frankh]

with standard #3 rivets...Just cut some little scraps of alu and drill #40 holes to make backing washers and then drive them with the rivet gun just enough to hold 'em.

Worked fine for me...Goop optional...I used some paintable duct sealant.

Frank