Tom Martin
Well Known Member
I have been following Van's instructions pretty closely on this RV14 kit but when I started to rivet the top flap skins to the ribs using a gun and bucking bar as suggested, I just was not happy with the results. I found it difficult to get a smooth finish on those thin .020 skins. The plans do make allowance for back riveting the final two rivets in the top skin.
One method I have used over the years to back rivet tight spots is to set up a bucking bar as shown in the picture below. Just tape a 1/8" piece of wood, to the one end of a flat bar and set the other end on top of the rivet. Hitting this cantilever bucking bar close to the rivet end will make a very nice shop head.
Be careful to make sure that the "wood" strip on the bucking bar is also resting on your back rivet plate. This will make some really nice perfectly smooth top flap skins, and is also kind of fun to do. As always, practice and some scraps first.
One method I have used over the years to back rivet tight spots is to set up a bucking bar as shown in the picture below. Just tape a 1/8" piece of wood, to the one end of a flat bar and set the other end on top of the rivet. Hitting this cantilever bucking bar close to the rivet end will make a very nice shop head.
Be careful to make sure that the "wood" strip on the bucking bar is also resting on your back rivet plate. This will make some really nice perfectly smooth top flap skins, and is also kind of fun to do. As always, practice and some scraps first.