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Tank Rib Tooling Hole

BigD

Well Known Member
I'm probably thinking too hard about how to cover these holes up - just seems a little counterintuitive to add holes to attach a cover plate for a hole...I've seen the solution of a size 6 A rivet but assuming I make a little plate, would it make a difference if i dimpled the holes for the attaching rivets or countersunk enough to use a 1097 rivet, which is the way I'm leaning? I'm also assuming that the sealant by itself is not enough to hold an approximately 1 inch square plate on reliably...

==dave==
 
Yep, you are over thinking it.

Why do you want to plug one hole with one rivet by drilling a number of other holes and then riveting a plate over it with multiple rivets.

Sounds like you are taking one possible leak and converting it to a number of possible leaks.

Just me $.02
 
Soft rivets

I have some soft rivets for the tooling hole. If you can wait a few days, send me your address and I'll drop a few in the mail.
 
Rivets

We just plugged the holes 3 days ago with 6's. They fit perfect, bucked them with a 4x, dob with proseal, done. I don't know why Vans doesn't just supply 12 rivets and change the plans. The patch thing seems kind've silly.
Don
 
simplest option...

I just prosealed a little piece of aluminum scrap over those holes. Your assumption that proseal alone won't hold it in-place is incorrect. Heck, my NACA vents and static ports are all attached with nothing but proseal and they ain't coming off.
 
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I just prosealed a little piece of aluminum scrap over those holes. Your assumption that proseal alone won't hold it in-place is incorrect. Heck, my NACA vents and static ports are all attached with nothing but proseal and they ain't coming off.

I second that.:D
 
I've got a bunch of soft 6- rivets and an extra 6 rivet set. I bought it not realizing I already had one. It's just taking up space in my tool box right now, so it's yours if you'd like. Just pay the shipping.
 
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I probably should have been a little more clear - my concern was, if not opting for the rivet solution, what's required to attach and seal a little cover plate. Sounds like pro seal by itself has worked for others, and the rivets, other than setting them, seem pretty straightforward. Thanks for the replies and I will be acquiring some rivets from the generous and helpful people of this forum. I know it's bad luck to forecast a finish time, but should be ready for a leak check in 3-4 weeks (I think that's vague enough...)

==dave==
 
Simple is Better

I'm probably thinking too hard about how to cover these holes up....
The RV is not to be compared with a combat jet but it is an aircraft. For reasons beyond my limited understanding, the engineering department always insisted that tooling holes were to be filled. In the F-15, F-18 and other production shops I worked, by directive we routinely plugged tooling holes using AD6 rivets. Based upon that experience, I incorporated the same standard when I built my RV's.

2ut2skk.jpg
 
I used a wet -6 rivet, then prosealed both sides. If I was going to install a patch, I would definitely use 3 -3 rivets to attach. More than likely, a patch with proseal would never leak. If it did, you would have big problems and a repair that would require much more work than that -6 rivet.
 
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