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Thinking about back riveting the top and top side skins together first, and then riveting the three skins onto the ribs and longeron of the fuselage.
- Thread starter mstrauss
- Start date
You will have a LOT more riveting to go whilst lying on your back - lots of it on curved surfaces. In my case, the top side skins were easily riveted with the middle skin off then I only had the middle skin to rivet lying on my back.
I back riveted it and it came out very nice. I laid on my back with the gun and backrivet set, while all my dad had to do was remove a cleco, put in a rivet, and hold the backrivet bar flat on the skin.
tasrv14.blogspot.com
This is the backrivet bar we used. It was made by my dad from mild steel on the lathe. I sanded and polished both ends.
I back riveted it and it came out very nice. I laid on my back with the gun and backrivet set, while all my dad had to do was remove a cleco, put in a rivet, and hold the backrivet bar flat on the skin.
10-29 -> 32: Aft Fuse Top Skins
A Build Log detailing the build of a Vans RV-14
tasrv14.blogspot.com
This is the backrivet bar we used. It was made by my dad from mild steel on the lathe. I sanded and polished both ends.
That is a very nice back rivet bucking bar. Homemade?You will have a LOT more riveting to go whilst lying on your back - lots of it on curved surfaces. In my case, the top side skins were easily riveted with the middle skin off then I only had the middle skin to rivet lying on my back.
I back riveted it and it came out very nice. I laid on my back with the gun and backrivet set, while all my dad had to do was remove a cleco, put in a rivet, and hold the backrivet bar flat on the skin.
10-29 -> 32: Aft Fuse Top Skins
A Build Log detailing the build of a Vans RV-14
This is the backrivet bar we used. It was made by my dad from mild steel on the lathe. I sanded and polished both ends.
View attachment 84685
Yep - my dad did it on his lathe.
If your dad can’t make one for you, Cleveland sells one.
This is exactly how I envision doing it, but with the three (two top side and top) back riveted together first, then mount to the frame, and climb in to back rivet the longerons (sides) and ribs. Just as you are doing in your pictures. Like the headlamp.
Hmmm... This could be the driver for a new tool purchase. No, not the back rivet bar, but a mini metal lathe. A whole nother rabbit hole to jump down. After all, this is suppose to be an educational experience.
