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Rudder lowest rib pulled rivets

Simonhk

Simonhk

I'm New Here
Hi, I'm building the rudder. I'm doing the pulled rivets at the bottom of the rudder that join the 904A-1 and 904B-1. The rudder horn is in the way of the forward-most rivet. No way to get the rivet puller even remotely straight onto it. Not even with a wedge. What to do? Jam it in there skewed on the basis that it's better than no rivet or just not bother with it?

WhatsApp Image 2025-12-07 at 17.04.58_fd036ce0.jpg
 
I used piece of trailing edge as a wedge, it's tight but worked for me. Used my pneumatic (which I do have an edge filed down for tight fits), but a hand might be needed, if your pneumatic is too big, I'm assuming that's what you are using.
 
I try again with the wedge. I'm using a hand puller. Not much to grind off of it for access...

Thanks.
 
I found that at times I needed to get a bit creative in building wedges and spacers to get the needed access. I also used trailing edge to make wedges, and some 1/4in aluminum scrap to make small spacers. I sometime stack more then one spacer and/or wedge to get a good fit. As long at there is enough stem to get in the puller grips, you can create as much of a spacer/wedge as needed.
 
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