resrob66

Active Member
Hello Guys, I'm a new RV8 empennage builder. So far I'm done with the horizontal and vertical stabs. Which despite this post's question came out quite nice.

My question is about deburring rivet holes. It seems that on about 50% of my deburred holes, the deburring bit leaves a burr just as bad or worse than the drill bit did when I drilled them to size. I'm using a single hole deburr bit, it's new, the correct size, not worn out, in an electric drill. I usually do 1-2 turns with light pressure, anymore and it starts to countersink as you would expect.

Looking for advice or recommendations on what you've found to be the best to deburr the holes in the skin. I don't plan on priming the skins on the inside, so I'm trying to stay away from scuffing them up too much with scotchbrite. Although I've found that the small scotchbrite wheel in the die-grinder works wonders on deburring holes in the structure that I am priming. I'm working on the rudder now and finally decided to ask the question here. I realize also that I may be bordering on being too critical of my own work!!

Thanks!!
Robert :confused:
 
I've had better luck

deburring by hand. The one hole bit is best in my opinion. With your fingers, you can get a better feel for the proper amount of cutting without putting much of a chamfer on the hole. I used a one hole deburring bit from Cleaveland Tool that had a ~3" long hex shank on it. See http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/prodinfo.asp?number=DB04 .

If you want to reduce the amount of remaining burr in the first place, consider match "drilling" the holes with a chucking reamer rather than a drill bit. I had best results with a #41 for -3 holes that would be dimpled, and a #40 for non-dimpled holes. I used a 1/8" reamer for dimpled -4 holes and #30 for those that won't be dimpled. The smaller reamers resulted in a better fit for the rivet after dimpling. Dimpling will expand the hole somewhat.

YMMV!
 
I spin one of these in my fingers and I like the way it finishes the edge of the holes.

http://www.yardstore.com/browse.cfm/4,5501.html

70160.jpg
 
Thanks for all the ideas!

I'll give a different tool a try and also vary my technique.

Thanks to all who contribute and share their experience with us newbies!! :)

Robert
 
+1 for SMO.
I use that crank thing too. Sometimes I just use fingers on the bit like Phil also. I found (for myself) the power driven screwdriver was too clunky and the drill was too fast & insensitive.