Just installed my first rivets!

[llavalle]

After 30h of drilling, deburring, counter-sinking and painting, I finally installed my first rivets!

Started the front spar on my -9 empennage



After setting 55 1/8" rivets by hand(had to do 6 with the gun), I understand why some people buy pneumatic squeezers! My hands and arms are still sore!

Alright, 61 rivets in... how many left?

[pazmanyflyer]

Originally Posted by llavalle

Alright, 61 rivets in... how many left?

I'd guess one here and one there...and some over in that area and it's good!
Congrats! Looking like another rivet master in the making!

[scard]

Simply looking at the longest rivets in the attach brackets, not seeing the shop head ., it looks like you have done well. We'll be more impressed when you take a picture of the other side. No kidding, congrats, and I feel your excitement. It is a wonderful adventure.

[llavalle]

Originally Posted by scard

We'll be more impressed when you take a picture of the other side.

Here you go


All were done with the squeezer except the 3 on top of each angle... had to do them with the rivet gun. Checked all rivets with the gauge and only needed to squeeze 2 of them a bit more.

[Robert M]

Excellent work, you're well on your way to building a fine aircraft.

[fly.more.work.less]

Looks great!

I'd hoped to do the same thing today, but my compressor committed suicide half way through spraying primer yesterday (talk about a motivation sapper). What doesn't kill you makes you stronger, right

[N523RV]

I would highly recommend that you invest in a pneumatic squeezer. This will be one the best tool investments you will ever make. It will reduce your build time and keep your hands from falling apart. I know they are expensive... but they are worth every single penny you will spend.

Originally Posted by llavalle

After 30h of drilling, deburring, counter-sinking and painting, I finally installed my first rivets!

Started the front spar on my -9 empennage

After setting 55 1/8" rivets by hand(had to do 6 with the gun), I understand why some people buy pneumatic squeezers! My hands and arms are still sore!

Alright, 61 rivets in... how many left?

[Tumper]

Philippe,

Congratulations. As with our buddy from down under, Alexis, I too plan to drive the first rivets in the empennage of my RV-9 project this weekend. I think I have all the countersinking done at the correct hole, and on the correct side, on both the front and rear spars. All I have left is some primer.

I am real nervous about driving the first rivet in the skin and I guess mainly because on my Van’s tool box kit, on the first rivet I drove, I dented the skin some. I am planning to have a fellow RV builder come over and “babysit” my while I drive that first rivet.

Thanks guys, it is really a motivation to hear there are other “9” builders in about the same building step as I am.

I guess the pounding of rivets now will someday turn into the pounding of pistons.

[flion]

Congrats. It's a lot of fun to see your work come together, isn't it? Regarding the squeezer, I used one throughout my build. I was too poor to add a pneumatic one and by the time I got through the empennage it was no longer an issue. But then, I had pretty strong hands to begin with; I play bass guitar. If/when I start a new project, I'll probably invest in a pneumatic squeezer.

[llavalle]

Originally Posted by flion

But then, I had pretty strong hands to begin with; I play bass guitar.

Yeah, that's the thing. I'm a programmer... my hands are not strong! My left arm hurts a bit this morning. 2 weeks ago, I tried to ask Santa for a pneumatic squeezer but he told me it was too expensive (hey, you never know!). I then asked for a pair of boots. That was fine... but I think I'll tell him "Just give me money, I'll buy a pneumatic squeezer and pay the balance"