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09-24-2015, 06:18 AM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1963 24' Tradewind
Billings
, Montana
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 21
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Replacing Ribs
What alloy are the ribs made from? The same as the exterior? In my case, from 1963, the 2023T3 alcad is the exterior. I have two dents that bashed two lower horizontal ribs pretty good. I'd like to make new ribs, and cheaper is better (it does not need to be shiny). BUT, I don't want different alloys to react.
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09-24-2015, 06:41 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
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The different alloys won't react. 5052 will be a common replacement...any aluminum which will take the bending from a break. The best and fastest thing to do is go to your local sheet metal company...heating and cooling duct makers....and have them bend up a couple 2 inch channels.....or what ever size you need. Overall, it's not a big deal..don't make it one. Your outer skin panel and leak control is now your area of concern.
__________________
"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted
then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production."
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09-24-2015, 07:02 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1964 26' Overlander
Richmond
, Virginia
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 790
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would 2" channel be better than z strips? I'm guessing it would be stronger, but you just can't buck rivet a square tube, and if you used "U" channel, you cant attach on the inside. Be aware, you'll need to use Olympic rivets with your ribs.
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09-24-2015, 07:08 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1964 26' Overlander
Richmond
, Virginia
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 790
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CRL Satin Anodized ''Z'' Bar Aluminum Channel - 12 ft Long - Rakuten.com
You can do a search for aluminum z bar extrusion. I also know that I got some shorter curved pieces from Out of Doors Mart in North Carolina. You may be able to get a rib piece from Inland RV in California. The other option is possibly to bend it back out. If you get access to the area by removing the skins, get a heavy steel channel or I beam. then, block it at both ends, then slowly draw the dent to the channel with a large "C" clamp.
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09-24-2015, 07:08 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1966 22' Safari
Hilltop Lakes
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,767
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You can buck a rivet inside a U-shaped rib with an offset bucking bar. It's done all the time in aircraft work. Check Aircraft Spruce and Specialty's website for the bar.
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09-24-2015, 08:28 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
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Why are you even considering bucking a repair? All my Vintage Airstreams have C channel ribs....what is meant by you can't attach to the inside? I think your have the channel mentally placed sideways.
__________________
"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted
then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production."
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09-24-2015, 08:31 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody Ranch
The different alloys won't react. 5052 will be a common replacement...any aluminum which will take the bending from a break. The best and fastest thing to do is go to your local sheet metal company...heating and cooling duct makers....and have them bend up a couple 2 inch channels.....or what ever size you need. Overall, it's not a big deal..don't make it one. Your outer skin panel and leak control is now your area of concern.
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Ditto.
Brevi tempore!
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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09-25-2015, 02:41 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1963 24' Tradewind
Billings
, Montana
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 21
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Thank you all! I hadn't thought to go to a heating/cooling store and was trying to figure out how to the bending myself. Breaks are expensive. WAY easier to ask the people who installed my furnace recently--I'm even a semi-recent customer.
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09-25-2015, 03:14 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1974 31' Sovereign
1979 23' Safari
Wayland
, New York
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,632
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Quote:
Originally Posted by micaso
What alloy are the ribs made from? The same as the exterior? In my case, from 1963, the 2023T3 alcad is the exterior. I have two dents that bashed two lower horizontal ribs pretty good. I'd like to make new ribs, and cheaper is better (it does not need to be shiny). BUT, I don't want different alloys to react.
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Just to clarify. These are horizontal ribs between the main vertical ribs right?
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09-26-2015, 09:02 AM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1963 24' Tradewind
Billings
, Montana
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 21
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Yep, just the horizontal ones. The vertical ribs are, mercifully, in good condition.
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09-05-2018, 10:20 AM
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#11
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New Member
1967 28' Ambassador
Charlevoix
, Michigan
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 1
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anyone have any suggestions on the vertical ribs? how to bend a c channel like that
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09-11-2018, 07:52 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,530
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How long of a piece do you need?
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09-12-2018, 08:18 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1956 22' Caravanner
Don Pedro Island
, Florida
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 613
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mimiandrews
You can buck a rivet inside a U-shaped rib with an offset bucking bar. It's done all the time in aircraft work. Check Aircraft Spruce and Specialty's website for the bar.
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Go to ebay and you will find any shape and size that you can imagine .
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09-12-2018, 09:34 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1971 21' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Currently Looking...
Arvada
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 3,530
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The vertical ribs have a radius bend to them. If the a small section is needed then they can be fabricated from three pieces. Longer pieces can also be fabricated or a shop with some the correct roller dies on some specialized equipment can help you out.
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