[SCondie]

Newbie post.
Foolishly let a friend buck a rivet on my RV8 HSTAB before proper practice. Pressure was probably too high and the gun got away from him. It dinged the skin, but also bent the forward spar underneath.

Based on reading the forums, seems like the skin ding will be covered during the paint prep. However, I'd like to bend the spar back. Any reason I shouldn't do it?

Any tips on how to do it? Planning on using a pry bar with wood protecting all aluminum. My main concern is ensuring the bend is smooth so there isn't a tight bend radius if the spar doesnt return perfectly flat.

 

[bbsdad]

Ding

Have you ever heard of drawing a rivet? Simple process just invert the rivet, place bucking bar nexct to the rivet, not on it and lightly give your gun a few taps. That should straighten the spar flange and draw the skin up tight to it. Then just shoot as normal. Bin doing it for years and for meny different reason. Also should takeout most of the upper skin dent.

Hope this helps
RD

 

[SCondie]

Thanks for the tip. I think I follow, but what do you mean by inverting the rivet? It's a flush rivet with dimple.

I found this description, but doesnt seem to invert the rivet.

https://www.homebuiltairplanes.com/forums/threads/drawing-a-rivet-technique-101.197/

If you want a laugh, Google drawing a rivet. I can't believe how many videos there are of people making sketches of a rivet.

 

[Taltruda]

I think he meant “ Insert” not “Invert”.. another case of autocorrect!

 

[bbsdad]

Ding

Yup insert. Stupid auto correct struck again lol.

RD

 

[SCondie]

Worked well. Thank you.