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trackdom

Well Known Member
Hi everybody ,

I am just beginnig the construction of a RV-8 . I am ready to rivet the skin of the empennage, but of course I need to dimple the skin before.. It seems to me that the thickness of the skin could allow a counterkink rather than a dimpling. I am afraid to do the wrong operation , so my question is, has anyone tryed to countersink the skin ?
Thank you
 
dimpling

The skins are too thin to c/s. The accepted method is to drill the holes to size, deburr, dimple, then rivet.
There are many locations throughout the project that require counter sinking.
Dimpling is faster and doen't remove material. Build to Van's plans and your build will go smoothly. Regards
 
Thank you for the advise,as you say it is quite reasonable to follow the plans. I will use the acceptable method.

regards
 
Be sure to not over countersink

It just take a light touch with your handheld countersink to knock the burr off the hole. Besides the countersunk joint isn't as strong as the dimpled joint in my opinion. The nested dimple increase the shear strength quite a bit.

Have Fun!
 
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