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wkerfoot · 05-29-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooperhawk

I was talking to an old-timer friend of mine yesterday and he explained to me how he and a friend had rebuilt an Airstream Trailer year ago. Not sure just how many, but many.

They couldn't get between the skins to "buck" the rivets, so they had used "explosive rivets". He thought they were made by 3M during WWII to rivet drop tanks for fighter planes. Since you couldn't get inside the tank to Buck the rivets, these were designed just for that purpose. They contained a small explosive and were set off with a soldering iron which caused to tip inside the tanks to explode, expand and seal.

Now I surely don't doubt the veracity of my friend. He is just as honest as the day is long. I was at one time an aircraft mechanic myself though, and as such had never heard of such a thing.

Sounds interesting. Anybody got any?????

Cooper,

I have many unusual looking rivets on my Liner. I assume that they are the
explosive rivets, but I am just guessing.

Bill

Bambi_Bandit · 05-29-2008, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alumatube

Explosive rivets are cool!

Here's a YouTube link.

And some info from Brittanica.com:

Blind rivets are needed when space limitations make conventional rivets impractical. One type of these is explosive; it has a hollow space in the shank containing a small charge of heat-sensitive chemicals. When a suitable amount of heat is applied to the head, an explosion takes place and expands the rivet shank tightly into the hole. The shank is normally open but can be sealed to eliminate noise and the ejection of metal fragments. Most explosive rivets are aluminum, but they can be obtained in stainless steel and certain other metals. Their use is mainly in aircraft.

Susan

Thats right, he said "blind" rivets, but I thought that meant he couldn't see the back or something... I didn't know they exploded... I need to ask him tomorrow...

Bambi_Bandit · 05-29-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monocoque

Interesting, this could be an explanation why those same panels are doubles and are also blind riveted in my trailer? Did he say what the clearance issue is exactly? I assume the inside lower panels corresponding to the outside panels have also been removed in your case. If not maybe that's the clearance issue he's referring too?

Not sure what you mean, but the lower segments (behind the stoneguards) are the ones that were "blind riveted" in the area that would be under the bannana wrap. I'll see if I can get a pic of the "behind" area tomorrow.

Bambi_Bandit · 05-29-2008, 03:13 PM

The "skull" surgery is progressing...

That's me in looking thu the roadside front wrap window hole...

Bambi_Bandit · 05-29-2008, 03:20 PM

Land ho!!!

It can get windy here...

I'ts not exactly like Wally's old take on looking thru his top hatch he had on his units, is it?

Bambi_Bandit · 05-29-2008, 03:23 PM

It's a total loss of privacy in the bedroom...

Bambi_Bandit · 05-29-2008, 03:26 PM

Each employee is highly skilled and worth his weight in aluminum...

Bambi_Bandit · 05-29-2008, 03:28 PM

My personal memento I asked them to save for me...

A few dings, but mine none the less... I plan to cut a nice oval and frame it... what do you think?

dufferin · 05-29-2008, 03:31 PM

keep me one R, mine is a little bit eroded...

monocoque · 05-29-2008, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bambi_Bandit

Not sure what you mean, but the lower segments (behind the stoneguards) are the ones that were "blind riveted" in the area that would be under the bannana wrap. I'll see if I can get a pic of the "behind" area tomorrow.

Okay I see what you mean. I went back and looked closely at your photos. I hadn't heard of banana skins being buck riveted? Had a lapse there for a minute. Sounds like the remainder of those panels will be buck riveted except for the lower line-up at the banana wraps which will be pop riveted! Thanks! Looks like you're having as much fun as possible in a difficult situation! Best wishes!

Bambi_Bandit · 05-29-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlavergne

Kevin and Prim,
You are staying in the town I grew up in. If you take the road that the Holiday Inn is on, SR 47, into Sidney you will find a nice little diner on the corner of the Court House Square called The Spot. Great place to eat (I worked there in college). Continue following SR 47 thru town from there (it winds around so watch the signs). After you cross the Great Miami River there will be an entrance to Tawawa Park on your right. A great place to drive thru and walk the dogs. If you continue out of town on SR 47 you will drive about 7 miles or so to the little village of Port Jefferson. It is an old canal town. About mid-way thru the village, on the right, at the end of a short street is a restaurant called Hussy's. It is right along the river so ask for a table by a window. Another great place to eat. Wonderful chicken. Head down I-75 to Dayton and visit Wright Patterson Airforce Base. They have a fantastic museum...you can get lost in that museum for a day easily. They have an IMAX theater. If I can think of other ideas of things to do I will let you know.
Tom

Tom / Sergei,

Thanks for the pointers. We haven't made it out there yet, still working from the hotel and the occasional break to run out to JC to see the progress of the surgery. We will try to get out there this weekend!

Appreciate the list of places to see. Thanks!

Jaxon · 05-29-2008, 05:18 PM

Great photos, Kevin! Cosmos' beginning to look bee-youti-ful again. Make sure Airstream central gives you some duct tape before you leave.. just in case...

SafariSS · 05-29-2008, 07:50 PM

Kevin,

I am enjoying your photo-log of the repair. I have a 05, hope I do not ever need any segment replacement! Whew.

Say, where did you purchase the LED clearance lights? I think I would like some of those as well, as I am always "tinkering" on one of them plus my rear tailights are the same as your internationals, the cast aluminum LED.

Enjoy your ride back home.

Bambi_Bandit · 05-29-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SafariSS

Kevin,

I am enjoying your photo-log of the repair. I have a 05, hope I do not ever need any segment replacement! Whew.

Say, where did you purchase the LED clearance lights? I think I would like some of those as well, as I am always "tinkering" on one of them plus my rear tailights are the same as your internationals, the cast aluminum LED.

Enjoy your ride back home.

I ordered them from Airstream. They are an off the shelf part from somewhere, so you probably could order them cheaper from somewhere else if you knew the manufacturer, but I was too lazy...

The are being installed on the 2009 models.

(4) Amber - PN# 512226
(7) Red - PN# 512227

2airishuman · 05-29-2008, 08:11 PM

nice job bandit...

are they charging extra to work 'around' you?

back to the vintage unit in post 16...

that's NOT wheeler's unit, it's dicky riegel's trailer i think...

and the rivets used to OVERLAY another panel onto an existing one are blind/expanding rivets...

but not the exploding kind...

and while the original bucked rivets remain, the heads are ground OFF to make the surface smooth,

before panel overlay.

cheers
2air'

monocoque · 05-29-2008, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

and the rivets used to OVERLAY another panel onto an existing one are blind/expanding rivets...

but not the exploding kind...

and while the original bucked rivets remain, the heads are ground OFF to make the surface smooth,

before panel overlay.

cheers
2air'

2air',

That's what I thought was being suggested the first time around....I'm beginning to feel those dizzy spells coming on...

So then why wouldn't the rivets used to overlay another panel onto an existing one be bucked?

In other words what's the excuse for the olympic rivets? Wouldn't it be just as easy to buck 'em?

I've got two of these overlay panels, same place as Kevin's, on my trailer and they have both been stitched up with the olympics.

Bambi_Bandit · 05-30-2008, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2airishuman

back to the vintage unit in post 16...

that's NOT wheeler's unit, it's dicky riegel's trailer i think...

2air'

Hi 2Air,

Actually, learned that it used to be Dave Schumann's unit when it was a shell, then he sold it to Bob Wheeler, who then had it done at David Winick's.

But, I saw the certificate of registration - it's put in Airstream's name....

Bambi_Bandit · 05-30-2008, 03:19 PM

Sorry not lots of pics today... Was tied up with work all morning, left the hotel late... Caught the factory tour, which was my first time. The tour was nice as the factory production was shut down this week, so we were able to wander and see more things up close than we normally would.

I'll take one next week when they are in production and see how it compares... Sorry - to cameras alowed!!

Sorry for the bad limited pics. The shop was closed by the time I got to see here... the weekend has begun at JC....

Old sealant is being cleaned off the ribs. Top segments are tacked in.

DaPlumber is seen looking in from the outside...

TheBigRedTruck · 05-30-2008, 04:16 PM

What the Haaaaail, That's Me!!!!!! You know the two of U, are what stream'n is all about had a nice time getting to know U. I f you would like to stop by this weekend I would love to make you dinner!!!!! DIMMER ;} Got to love the free rivet today!!!!!

Mikethefixit · 05-30-2008, 04:41 PM

Kevin
Thanks for the pic's so far. These people are the very best at what they do. and friendly,course all us BUCKEYES are friendly. I think>? So glad U were able to get up close and presonal with your Airstream. Now U know exactly what it is make of and how to repair it.WATCH REAL GOOD NOW THEY ARE ONLY GONNA SHOW YA ONCE

.
Be sure U check out the United States Muesum of the Airforce,Dayton and the Muesum at Wapakonnetta.
Forgive the spelling Im not good at it.
Nice to have U in the area.
Roger