Dimpled Platenuts

[RV7AJeremy]

Hello all, just wondering why so many people choose not to dimple the platenuts? I think dimpling is way easier than countersinking all the holes and using the oops rivets. I have a small diameter dimple die from Cleaveland tools; so if the need to buy another dimple die is the reason, I think I will just dimple them. I have read some other threads but really couldn't find a solid reason. Thoughts?

[William Slaughter]

There is no reason not to dimple the platenuts, I do it routinely with no problem, but I also use the countersink and "oops" rivets a lot. Both are useful techniques, with the choice depending on the circumstances.

[scard]

Count operations after the rivet holes are drilled. Dimple platenut, dimple part hole = 2. Small countersink part = 1. Half as many operations. Also, you'll find that a dimpled platenut doesn't really sit flat with the part. Sometimes that can turn into a real pain. On my last build, I dimpled a lot of platenuts. On my current build, I haven't dimpled one yet (using nas rivets).

[N427EF]

You don't have to dimple them, just buy the dimpled ones from Van.

[flion]

I don't think he's talking about the K1100 platenuts dimpled for the fastener; he's talking about dimpling the attachment lugs for flush rivets. My problem with dimpling the lugs is that it often curves the platenut and I then have to flatten it to get it to fit tight.

[rzbill]

So there you have it. Dimple, not dimple. Depends on user preference.

And in some cases, the geometry will tell what needs to be done.

[N427EF]

I am talking about the dimpled plate nuts that are dimpled for the -3 rivets.
Van has them, and I don't have the part number.
I didn't know about them until finished my second RV
Correction: WICKS AIRCRAFT SUPPLY has them. Part number: MS21047