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!

Fix for pillowing

storm_pilot

Well Known Member
Friend
What’s the fix for this?



I’m sure we have some sheet metal experts who could chime in here.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_4941.jpeg
    IMG_4941.jpeg
    4.3 MB · Views: 208
  • IMG_4942.jpeg
    IMG_4942.jpeg
    1.8 MB · Views: 204
Common issue. Those rivets that went “flat” needed a shim between the skin and the rib. The rule is “if you can fit a shim between the skin and the rib, it needs a shim”.

You can make shims out of 0.032” down to 0.020” aluminum. Drill your #40 hole and dimple. Cut into squares ~3/4” on each side. Insert between the skin and the rib and rivet.

Carl
 
Some have had success with “tapping” the tail of the rivet with a small peening hammer. There is risk involved doing this and it may not get you the results.
Shims are best as Carl mentioned.
 
Back
Top