Good Sunday morning, everyone!
Just started to put my tank together, and followed the steps in the Van's handbook (mark the center of each flange, and then drill the holes ... ). I also remembered reading here on the forum that one should offset that line by 1/16th.
I measured the flange to be 17/32nd of an inch wide on the inside.
After measuring the center and moving that line a fraction to the outside (this was supposed to be just a visual test) I held my Stanley rivet puller against that line in order to see where the rivet/hole would end up. To my surprise (disappointment is probably the better word) I saw that the center of the rivet puller would be almost on the outside of the flange. I measured it to be 13/32nd. That leaves 1'8th of an inch from the edge of the flange, which is pretty much unacceptable.
Here's my question. Are there rivet pullers that are narrower? Or do you have to grind of some of the material of the rivet puller in order to get closer to the flange? Are you inserting the rivet crooked in order to get it in somehow (that would probably leave room for leaks, not even talking about structural integrity)???
I'm out of thoughts here. Anyone can guide me in the right direction?
On a side note ... Why can't Van's just make the **** thing 3/4" wide?
Thanks,
Thomas
Just started to put my tank together, and followed the steps in the Van's handbook (mark the center of each flange, and then drill the holes ... ). I also remembered reading here on the forum that one should offset that line by 1/16th.
I measured the flange to be 17/32nd of an inch wide on the inside.
After measuring the center and moving that line a fraction to the outside (this was supposed to be just a visual test) I held my Stanley rivet puller against that line in order to see where the rivet/hole would end up. To my surprise (disappointment is probably the better word) I saw that the center of the rivet puller would be almost on the outside of the flange. I measured it to be 13/32nd. That leaves 1'8th of an inch from the edge of the flange, which is pretty much unacceptable.
Here's my question. Are there rivet pullers that are narrower? Or do you have to grind of some of the material of the rivet puller in order to get closer to the flange? Are you inserting the rivet crooked in order to get it in somehow (that would probably leave room for leaks, not even talking about structural integrity)???
I'm out of thoughts here. Anyone can guide me in the right direction?
On a side note ... Why can't Van's just make the **** thing 3/4" wide?
Thanks,
Thomas