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I'm optimistic that I'll have all my rib stiffeners and attach angles done soon and be ready to start riveting. So, I'm shopping for a rivet squeezer and need some advice from you all. I like the fact that the Tatco from Brown is U.S. made and the price reasonable but know not much beyond that. Do I need 2" & 3" yokes? How much advantage is there to a swivel head ( Wicks) or the one from ATS that has a number of accessories that can be added. Too many choices for the easily confused! What's your thoughts? Thanks Mike NAULT BH #1250 KLXT
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Mike Nault
BH #1250
KLXT -
Mike, I use the Tatco style squeezer. I have a 3" yoke, a smaller yoke, and also the no-hole yoke. I usually find that I keep the larger yoke on it. I pieced mine together from multiple sources, but the yard has a deal with everything in one box:
I also have a pneumatic squeezer that I'll be getting rid of pretty soon if you are in the market for one of those. The Avery hand squeezer uses the same yokes as the pneumatic squeezers, but it is a much larger and heavier tool overall than the stainless Tatco types. Having the two is handy. I set up the hand squeezer for dimpling and set up the pneumatic squeezer for riveting. That saves me from having to change out dies as much. -
Here's an ebay auction for a pneumatic squeezer that's similar to mine, but with several yokes. I don't think I'd sell mine for as little as the opening bid currently is.
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CP 214 pneumatic will not squeeze the "5`s" needed for the main spar...correct?Comment
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Thanks Jared. The eBay link didn't work but I'm definitely interested in yours when you get ready to sell. For now I think I can't do with the hand squeezer. I may change my mind after a few hundred though. Mike Nault BH #1250 KLXTMike Nault
BH #1250
KLXTComment
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I have a kit so I didn't need to set any 5s, but most folks seem to set those with a hammer. The best information that I could gather was that a squeezer big enough to squeeze 5s would be way to big and cumbersome to use for all of the other rivets you would want to squeeze. Mine does a great job on -4s and 3s, and the hand squeezer does great on 3s and fairly well on 4s. I don't usually use the hand squeezer for 4s, but it can be done.Originally posted by DanWardComment
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I used a hand squeezer to install angled stiffeners on the ribs but trying to decide how best to set the 5's on the spars. The pneumatic squeezers for 5's are rather pricey. I think, as you said, they are best supported by a stand. I probably will end up using a hammer.Comment
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Ebay is your friend here. There are lots of used squeezers on there. Some have even been used to build exactly 1 airplane.
I picked up a used AATC (CP 214 clone) for $125 including shipping. It had been used in a shop but is in good shape. Unless it was used on the B-17 production line it would be pretty hard to wear one of these out to the point of trash. There are places to get one rebuilt if needed.
One option that would be a plus is the adjustable holder for the sets. These things are all or none. I picked up some thin washers to use as spacers adjust the squeeze depth on mine.
DaveComment
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The cleaveland squeezer is super nice and easy to work with. I'm very happy with mine.
It won't do a #5 though.Comment
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