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Bucking spar rivets

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  • #1

    Bucking spar rivets

    Bearhawkers....I have my first spar ready to rivet together. I have spent all day thinking about driving that first rivet...to say I am nervous is an understatement. I am looking for any advice I can get on how to proceed. I have a 3X gun and a 2 pound bar...

    Thoughts?
    Dave Bottita The Desert Bearhawk
    Project Plans #1299
    N1208 reserved www.facebook.com/desertbearhawk/
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I am thinking that a 3x gun may be a little light for the job. Those -5 rivets take a little more force to set them quickly and not work harden them. A 4x gun would be a better choice. I used a "C" frame to rivet my spars. It is basically impossible to get a bad rivet using this method. I would attach a picture, but can't seem to attach anything on the new forum....frustrating. Basically you use the "C" frame to hold the rivet sets, leg the bottom impact zone of the "C" frame down to the shop floor with something heavy (I used an old tractor axle) then use a short handled 4# hammer to set the rivets--3-4 blows sets them quickly and accurately. I used this method on the 4- place and the Patrol and didn't have to drill out a single rivet. Wish I could show the picture, word fail me how to describe things

    Collin Campbell N370CC, Patrol, 180PB

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    • #3
      Colin, sendme the pictures privately and I will post them up for you. Send to mybearhawk@att.net
      Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS
      Bearhawk Tailwheels and Builder's Manuals
      http://bhtailwheels.com

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      • #4
        Here is the photo that Colin sent me of using his "C" Frame dimpling tool to drive the #5 Spar rivets. I doid this when i drove the #6 rivets on my Van's RV-6A back in the day and it worked well.
        You do not have permission to view this gallery.
        This gallery has 1 photos.
        Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS
        Bearhawk Tailwheels and Builder's Manuals
        http://bhtailwheels.com

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        • #5
          Eric & Collin, a HUGE THANK YOU to you guys! I took the idea/advice you guys posted and ran with it! I had a C frame in the shop and never even considered using it! A friend, who runs a metal shop, hooked me up with a piece of 4x2 square tubing with a 3/8ths wall thickness and we welded that to a 5/8ths plate. Set it all up with the work benches and it works PERFECT!!! I drove the first 6 rivets tonight and I could not be happier! Thanks again guys!
          You do not have permission to view this gallery.
          This gallery has 4 photos.
          Dave Bottita The Desert Bearhawk
          Project Plans #1299
          N1208 reserved www.facebook.com/desertbearhawk/

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          • #6
            Looks good Dave. With that set up, you will be able to drive perfect rivets every time. Your workmanship looks excellent by the way. Keep up the progress you are making and you will be done before you know it.
            Eric Newton - Long Beach, MS
            Bearhawk Tailwheels and Builder's Manuals
            http://bhtailwheels.com

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            • #7
              Beautiful Dave! I really had fun driving my spar rivets this way, as long as you use right rivet length it's almost impossible to get a bad rivet. Enjoy!

              Collin Campbell
              Bolivar, MO

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