My experience
I rarely make long posts but feel you newer builders may need some insight from a 'not so new' builder
.
Background:
- I've built/owned over 30 RV's and Rockets.
Squeezers:
- I have 7 hand squeezers set up with a variety of dies. I can dimple for various size rivets or screws. And, I can rivet flush, cupped, or no hole and only switch dies if I need a modified or close quarters set.
- None of my hand squeezers is a 'main squeeze' unit. I used to have one of those but I didn't like it and gave it away. If the good folks at Cleaveland want to donate one I'd more than happy to give it another shot and offer a fair review
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- My favorite squeezers are my Averys.
- I have a pneumatic squeezer with standard and adjustable sets. I've got every yoke that you can think of and have quick release pins.
- I have 4 hand pop rivet pullers and one pneumatic pop rivet puller that is worth it's weight in gold.
- I have a c-frame that is only used for dimpling large skins. Never used for riveting other than demonstration.
- I have a DRDT that is only used to show folks why I don't like them and why I don't recommend them.
- I have an assortment of rivet guns. Only use a 3x to show folks why the 2x is so much nicer.
- never counted but maybe about 45-50 bucking bars. That said I buit my 1st RV with one bucking bar and a tire iron and won Grand Champion at Sun n Fun and a follow up award at Oshkosh. Just mentioning this so you know it can be done but I'll take my assortment any day.
Order of riveting for me is ALWAYS:
1-backrivet
2-squeeze
3-buck
I use my hand squeezers for everything that I can't back rivet. I almost always use one hand only on my hand squeezer. I do 90% of my riveting sitting down.
I can count the times I've used my pneumatic squeezer on one hand. The only time I really break it out is to show folks why they don't need it
.
My hand squeezers are WAY more versitile, and MUCH lighter than pneumatic and less expensive if you are on a budget.
If I have to rivet one plate nut or run a row of 65 rivers down the trailing edge of a wing I go right for my hand squeezer.
Tip-the key to riveting is being creative and comfortable. NEVER forget this
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This will sound a bit bold but I'll say it anyway.....I challenge anyone to bring their pneumatic squeezer to my shop and work alongside of me. Bring it on, big smile
.
This is my experience. I'm sure all you guys that are working on your vertical stab with your pneumatic squeezer will disagree.....big smile
.