proper rivet gun for AS

oldvws · 11-22-2002, 03:00 PM

What type of Rivet gun did Airsteam use back in the 60s-70s ?

We have a lot of Aircraft surplus stuff around here and I would like to look for the Proper gun

I do not think the small handheld pop rivet ones were used

Anyone of an archive picture of what it looked like ?

thanks for your help

74Argosy24MH · 11-22-2002, 03:11 PM

Inside pop rivets were used, I don't think it would really matter what gun you use. On the outside skin the rivets are bucked, as long as the proper tool is used for the rivet head it should work. If you have anybody you don't like that hangs around, put them inside bucking for awhile, they won't be back.

John

69Overlander · 11-22-2002, 06:22 PM

I'm curious, how do you buck a rivet? (It sounds like the lead-in to a very bad joke.) It seems like the rivet machine would need access to both sides of the rivet at the same time.
Also, how does the holding power of an original bucked rivet compare to an Olympic rivet?

JPAIRSTREAM · 11-22-2002, 06:42 PM

rivets guns have a head that is cut to the shape of the exteriour rivet. the guns that are used are like a jack hammer they go in and out at a high speed..So when you put the gun on the rivet and a person on the inside with a flat hard tool that pushes gently on the back side of the rivet it flattens out. this is held in your hand and you push out all manual. If you over due this and make rivet to thin on the inside it is weak. so there is alot of feel to doing this.

rockwell used to make a gun and you custom made the heads.

Not a very good writer so please bare with me..

Olympic are a replacement rivet they are shaved to appear to be like a standard rivet. It is good repair but will never be as good as a Bucked rivet.

74Argosy24MH · 11-22-2002, 08:01 PM

Properly installed rivets are the best fastener there is. Besides clamping the 2 pieces together, they expand to fill the hole, no chance of the panels, plates, etc. moving. Olympics might be good, but I doubt if they have the fastening power of a bucked rivet.

On narrow pieces of metal you can use an air/hydraulic yoke which looks like a giant 'C' clamp to compress the rivets. Things like bodies would require too much depth so you use a tool which looks like an air chisel and a bucking bar inside. It is noisy work, your head rattles for hours afterwards.

John

FrankR · 11-22-2002, 10:50 PM

Rivets.........are a very simple yet complex fastening system. The understanding of aircraft rivet systems is VERY complex and is governed by many rules and standards. I've forgotten what I once knew. Here are a few pics of tools for the aircraft world. The RV world is similar but very different.

FrankR · 11-22-2002, 11:02 PM

Many sizes and shapes..

FrankR · 11-22-2002, 11:04 PM

From Lookheed salvage 25 years ago

FrankR · 11-22-2002, 11:07 PM

A rivet driver 3x power....safety wire install pliers....sheet metal burr remover

FrankR · 11-22-2002, 11:10 PM

Drivers for rivet tool. Many designs used..

FrankR · 11-22-2002, 11:14 PM

These devices are designed to hold panels and parts in position as parts are attached, drilled, and fitted. Other types are available to be used with wrenches.....

Les Gilliam · 11-23-2002, 07:18 AM

Frank,

Boy, did you bring back mamories! Between high school and college I worked for two years at Boeing in the wing assembly plant. My job was to assemble parts and prepare them for riveting, so I worked right next to where the riveting was going on. I am lucky I still have my hearing. Wish I had kept some of the old tools.

**Pick** · 11-23-2002, 10:04 PM

I was told on Thursday, during a tour of the AS plant that the rivets they are using now have "O" rings on them, to seal the connection. Did not get to see any of them, though.