What's new
Van's Air Force

The definitive Van's Aircraft support community! Buying, building or flying an RV? Join our exclusive family of mentors and enthusiasts!

Vertical Stabilizer: "don't dimple these holes"

G

gregsrv14

Active Member
Friend
On page 06-04, Revision 2, there is a note that says "Tape over holes that do not receive rivets at this time to avoid accidentally dimpling or riveting these hole locations".

We taped the holes in the ribs (VS-705 and VS-704) but dimpled the skin.

Before we rivet the skin to the ribs, should we flatten these? Then continue according to the plans? Will we need to use larger rivets at that time? Or will need to replace the skin?


1757961106371.png
 
I'd flaten them and build on. These look like the holes for nutplates that hold on the fiberglass intersection fairing. Hardly critical.
 
georgemohr said:
I'd flaten them and build on. These look like the holes for nutplates that hold on the fiberglass intersection fairing.
Click to expand...
I think you're right. I believe these holes get drilled #27 for the empennage fairing (page 12-11, figure 2).

Screenshot 2025-09-15 at 12.09.29 PM.png
 
Last edited:
They wont get dimpled in the aluminum. They get counter sunk in the fiberglass. Only that last aftmost hole gets dimpled because it is covered by the aluminum closeout panel. The rest are covered by the fiberglass fairing.
 
Last edited:
georgemohr said:
They wont get dimpled in the aluminum. They get counter sunk in the fiberglass. Only that last aftmost hole gets dimpled because it is covered by the aluminum closeout panel. The rest are covered by the fiberglass fairing.
Click to expand...
That's correct! You have a good memory. I had to go look at mine to remember how those pieces get assembled. Either way, you definitely don't dimple them on page 6.
 
Some of us, use as few fasteners as possible. That's a 7 part number so probably similar to mine. I have one at the forward corner and a couple aft. One each end of the bottom fairing. The shape of the fairing holds it. Only a few screws needed. Too many and you get puckering.
What I am saying with this long post, is leave them as is. You can always put rivets in, flatten them or whatever later. You don't want to flatten and wish you had them dimpled for rivets.
20240210_153654.jpg
 
Last edited:
wirejock said:
Some of us, use as few fasteners as possible. That's a 7 part number so probably similar to mine. I have one at the forward corner and a couple aft. One each end of the bottom fairing. The shape of the fairing holds it. Only a few screws needed. Too many and you get puckering.
What I am saying with this long post, is leave them as is. You can always put rivets in, flatten them or whatever later. You don't want to flatten and wish you had them dimpled for rivets.
View attachment 97421
Click to expand...
Good point. I'll still have access until making that decision. On the other hand, there must be a reason for using screws rather than rivets...
 
gregsrv14 said:
Good point. I'll still have access until making that decision. On the other hand, there must be a reason for using screws rather than rivets...
Click to expand...
Built to plan, the fairing has a ton of screws. There are other ways to skin the beast.
 
wirejock said:
Built to plan, the fairing has a ton of screws.
Click to expand...
There are indeed a ton of screws! I didn't get any puckering so I guess I got lucky. I did spend three days working on that danged empennage fairing so maybe that had something to do with it. Speaking of a ton of screws...what the heck is with all the screws for the interior floor panels? Sheesh! Those panels must contribute significantly to the structure.
 
wirejock said:
Some of us, use as few fasteners as possible. That's a 7 part number so probably similar to mine. I have one at the forward corner and a couple aft. One each end of the bottom fairing. The shape of the fairing holds it. Only a few screws needed. Too many and you get puckering.
What I am saying with this long post, is leave them as is. You can always put rivets in, flatten them or whatever later. You don't want to flatten and wish you had them dimpled for rivets.
Click to expand...
Jeez guys. I said "Some of us".
I guess I shouldn't have said "Too many and you get puckering." Disregard that.

And yes, there's a lot of screws everywhere. That's why I bought this.
 
Last edited:
I am a 'few screws' guy like Larry. Regardless of puckering, it looks cleaner.
Did it on my -7, doing it on the -14.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top