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Am I measuring this correctly?

B

bhaiduk

Member
I’m sorting the hardware that came with my second hand kit. It is all in well labeled organizers, but some of the sizes seem off. This one for example is labeled as AD4-5, but if I measure it I think it should be an AD4-6. Am I measuring correctly? Am I over thinking this? One or both might be true.IMG_9415.jpeg
 
To expand on g zero’s answer: yes, measure the grip length. For a flush rivet, measure the full length. For a universal rivet, measure only the rivet shank.

Your caliper is measuring a -6 rivet.
 
Its easier to measure the grip length on those AN426s with a grip gauge like the one in this photo. You can see how the manufactured head is held against the end and the grip length starts at the base.

55038825592_532da945ac_z.jpg
 
Some of these rivets have a letter “P” stamped on them in addition to the simple in the middle. Others have just the dimple but appear slightly more gold tinted. Is there a difference?
 

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Use the digital number instead of the fractional number unless you're certain of the round-off error of your caliper. As shown, that's a 6.

Dave
 
bhaiduk said:
Some of these rivets have a letter “P” stamped on them in addition to the simple in the middle. Others have just the dimple but appear slightly more gold tinted. Is there a difference?
Click to expand...
The dimple indicates the alloy - namely in this case 2117-T4 (AD material).

The other marking is the manufacturer's ID and will vary depending on who made each fastener. The marking you're showing appears similar to this one linked below which is made by TRS-Aero/Allfast. I consider it pretty unimportant who manufactured the rivet as long as it was purchased from a reputable distributor.

https://trsaero.com/allfastinc/wp-c.../11/product-solid-rivets-general-use.jpg.webp

Beyond that, there are several available finish codes that will result in color variation, and color variations within the same finish code are possible as well. Normally, for RVs, Vans supplies no-code finish which is a gold/yellow chem film (Alodine or similar per MIL-DTL-5541). Other finishes are possible, and in my opinion all of the available rivet finishes in the AN427/AN470 (MS20427/MS20470) family are suitable for our use on RVs as long as the alloy (dimpled center) is correct.
 
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I recently got some mis-labeled rivets from Vans as part of a larger kit of parts. Fortunately I have a good stash of various rivets in the shop so it didn't slow me down. Rivets are one of those things that are real cheap and easy to just throw onto every other Aircraft Spruce order. A few bucks at a time and soon you have a real nice, comprehensive selection.
 
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