Dan Checkoway has a nice guide on his site that got me started (bottom of page): http://www.rvproject.com/rivets.htmlgpiney said:It would be helpful to know what different pressures to use on the different rivet sizes. Can't seem to get anything consistent. I need some starting points.
13brv3 said:On the other hand, the 2X is a little shorter, which makes it easier to work on parts that require you to reach around something for the rivet (forward rivets on leading edge skins, or tanks for example). It's also lighter.
I used a 3X for every RV I've worked on so far, but just finally broke down and bought a 2X to use for the current (enroute I hope) RV-8.
Of course if I had used a 2X all this time, I might have just decided I needed a 3X. Don't ya love all these decisions
Bottom line is- either will work.
gpiney said:I just received my tool kit and have been 'practicing' a bit. It would be helpful to know what different pressures to use on the different rivet sizes. Can't seem to get anything consistent. I need some starting points.
plaurence said:Gee Rusty,
An eight , a 3 and another eight?
Two and a half years later, I'm just finishing my wings!
Peter Laurence
RV9A
You will not be disappointed purchasing a 3X rivet gun. Personally, I've never been a fan of regulating the air pressure on any rivet gun but then I pounded rivets for a living and it is as second nature to me as breathing. I recommend a 3X for the homebuilder because it allows (if needed for your own personal comfort level), to regulate the air pressure downward to shoot a 3/32" rivet but then have adequate reserves to open it up to shoot 1/8" rivets. The problem with a 2X's rivet gun overall utility becomes glaringly apparent in those situations in which you might have to use a long 1/8" rivet set. If the rivet set happens to be a long offset shooting a long length 1/8" rivet, then the chances are very good the 2X will simply not have the muscle to handle the job. The longer the rivet set and/or the more offset it has, the more energy is dissipated before ever reaching the rivet. Further, longer length rivets require considerably more energy to set than shorter length rivets. A few times in my RV construction experience, I was even glad I have a 4X in my tool box to use. I think this whole debate thing with the 2X vs. 3X centers on the fact many guys base their opinion on their (limited) experience with the shorter length rivets used in the empennage kit, then get on-line and sing their happy praises. Well into the fuselage or final kit, they may well run into a situation in which they have to set a relatively long 1/8" rivet using a long rivet set. When that awkward moment of realization is upon them, they will likely experience a personal ephiphany of sorts and then quietly proceed to cast about in search of a 3X rivet gun to borrow or buy.Pirkka said:...........the ads say that 2X guns are capable for 1/8" rivets but some of you say that they don't............. Some of you however admit that both will do just fine.............
Pirkka said:Still wondering: at least the ads say that 2X guns are capable for 1/8" rivets but some of you say that they don't. Why would any "RV tool seller" even offer you 2X guns as an option for 3X if it isn't adequate for the job. Some of you however admit that both will do just fine.
Just visited a guy building 7A and he had used 2X so far without problems. Therefore good 2X rivet gun with adequate pressures should do just fine for RVs?
You can always say that regulator allows to drop down the pressure then why don't take 7X if that is the issue...
Pirkka said:Still wondering: at least the ads say that 2X guns are capable for 1/8" rivets but some of you say that they don't. Why would any "RV tool seller" even offer you 2X guns as an option for 3X if it isn't adequate for the job. Some of you however admit that both will do just fine.