What's new
Van's Air Force

Don't miss anything! Register now for full access to the definitive RV support community.

Practice Kit (and general) Trailing Edge Riveting Question

jdog0411

Member
Hey all,

I'm in the process of completing the practice kit (control surface), and like many others before me I have a couple of questions about riveting the trailing edge. I'm building an RV-14A, so I will also need to complete this process on my trailing edges on that as well, so want to be sure I have this down.

Here's what I've done so far:

I've drilled through the top skin holes into the trailing edge wedge and then into the bottom skin (where no holes were previously).

I've deburred and dimpled the holes in the skins

I've countersunk the holes in the wedge, on both sides. (hoping that is correct?)


Now, the instructions say to double flush rivet the trailing edge, and to use 3-3 flush rivets. The 3-3 rivets barely stick through the dimpled holes on the bottom skin, and I'm not even sure they stick up over the surface to allow squeezing or using a flush set to form the shop head on the bottom skin. Should a longer rivet be used (are the plans wrong?) Or what would be the preferred method to rivet the trailing edge?

I've searched and found some helpful information, but I'm still a little unclear.

Thanks!
 
Have you seen these squeezer dies which are specifically made for this task?

http://www.cleavelandtool.com/RV-14-SAFETY-PIN-SQUEEZING-TOOL/productinfo/14-1801/#.XemaRC2ZNQI

While you are at it, also buy:

http://www.cleavelandtool.com/Speci...14-Empennage/productinfo/BBRV10/#.Xema5i2ZNQI

And this would have been nice to have for counter sinking the trailing edge:

http://www.cleavelandtool.com/Count...ing-Edge-Wedge/productinfo/CJ25/#.XembMy2ZNQI

Just search Cleaveland tools for RV-14. You might as well purchase all the rv-14 related items. Also, at the beginning of all the chapters it will tell you the special tools you will need. There are several reamers that you will need, but that might be for the wings. This is just the start of purchasing special tools for your project.

cheers
ken
 
Thanks Ken,

I actually have all of those tools, although I didn't actually know what the safety pin squeezer set was used for. That looks like it may work, but I believe that tool is just for the RV-14 elevator trailing edge only, and not the trailing edge on other kits or the practice kit since the wedge used on those is a different angle. I may still give it a shot on the practice kit anyway. The 3-3 rivets still look too short to me though.
 
Back
Top