Which Rivets?

[48_liner]

We're replacing a lot of exterior panels and have received rivets from Aircraft Spruce which have a four digit number cast into the head. I've read elsewhere that this was the place to purchase them but I'd rather have the smooth heads like the originals. We've emailed them but have had no response. Anyone out there know where to get the correct ones?

[markdoane]

Never seen those. Wouldn't the numbers get smooshed when you set the rivet?

I got mine at Aircraft Tool Supply. Go into the catalog under rivets, somewhere around page 9

[thecatsandi]

what are the numbers on the head? What shape if any is the marking in the center?

[48_liner]

I'm checking in at work so I don't have access to the rivets. They have a four digit number / letter sequence cast into the head. It curves around the top of the head. We practiced with four of them as I thought maybe they would smash in when bucked but they didn't. I'll try to post a photo of one tonight. I would'nt advise anyone to purchase rivets from Aircraft Spruce. We haven't heard back from them yet.

Bob

[rickandsandi]

Greetings,

Many of us vintage owners have been using the Olympic rivits for the outside rivit repairs and replacments.

They are the closest to the original buck rivits used at JC. Once the old rivit is drilled out with a #20 wire size drill, these rivits fit perfectly into the #20 hole. Once rivit is in place it is then shaved and leaves a very nice rounded rivit head.

[thecatsandi]

Why not purchase from aircraft spruce?

[Aerowood]

What is the part number that you ordered? Are they solid shank rivets or blind rivets?

[48_liner]

We ordered the shank rivets that are used for bucking. No interior panels makes it easier to do it the original way. Here's a shot of the rivets after we bucked them in and polished the panel.

[janetb]

I'm just astounded that you are working on a 59 year old trailer. I think that's the oldest A/S I've seen posted on the forums since I joined.
What a phenomenal gift---and responsiblitly!
Best of luck,
Janet

[Aerowood]

Originally Posted by 48_liner

We ordered the shank rivets that are used for bucking. No interior panels makes it easier to do it the original way. Here's a shot of the rivets after we bucked them in and polished the panel.

Those do look like MS20470AD5-X rivets but they shouldn't have lettering on the head. I would return them and try this place
Genuine Aircraft Hardware Co.

[48_liner]

Aerowood,

Thanks for the reply. My wife and I are going to keep the rivets and use them on other projects. Since we have the rivet gun and will end up with a lot of left over aluminum, she said we could make flower pots, bird houses etc.....

Prior to this past weekend we were going to have to replace all the exterior skin with the exception of the 13 panel end caps. Since the trailer was painted several times we spent the weekend stripping off the paint and found several areas where the corrosion from the inside had made it's way to the outside of the skin. Out of 26 panels, we're going to have to replace all the rear panels plus 3 on the front. If the rear goes well we might just do the entire front and have an entirely new exterior skin. The further we go, the worse it gets . At least it's going to be really easy to polish when it's done .

[Aerowood]

Your Liner is most likely made from Duraluminum 24s and todays equivalent is 2024, the new numbers went in effect in 1954.

[48_liner]

Here we go again. Just got my box of rivets from Aircraft Tool Supply and they are identical to the ones from Aircraft Spruce. Same color with the same digits cast into the heads . I did get a reply to my email from Aircraft Spruce. They pretty much said that what I got is what they have. Very bland and non personal. I emailed Aircraft Parts and hope to hear something better in a more timely manner.

With Memorial Day coming up I guess I can afford the wait.

At least the Midget Trailer will take us to Pismo Beach for the weekend.

Bob

[markdoane]

I've ordered rivets several times from Aircraft Tool Supply and they always came in a plastic bag. Usually they are gold or bronze colored because of the manufacturing process.

Never had any with numbers on them. Can you tell us the part numbers you ordered? Maybe they were top secret military spec stealth rivets.

[48_liner]

The part number on one of the sizes was MS20470-5-5. They have "01DC" cast into the head. I probably purchased some exotic, experimental aircraft rivets instead of the plain jane ones.


I did get my bead roller from Eastwood today so I can start putting the bead edge on the end cap panels.

[markdoane]

I found one other instance where a builder from Vans Airforce ran into the same markings from Aircraft Spruce. Back in Dec '05. Don't think he got a clear answer either.

I think it might be some left-overs from some special mfg lot that Aircraft Spruce is trying to get rid of. Don't know why you got the same thing from Aircraft Tools. There must be some backroom connection.

[Aerowood]

I think you left out the alloy number on the part number, it should be MS20470AD5-5. The AD is the alloy number, in this case 2117 Aluminum.

[48_liner]

I called Aircraft Parts yesterday and was told that all their rivets have the cast in numbers. They gave me the number for Guardian Rivet and Fastner in New York. The gentleman there said all their's had the same casting. He was going to check in the back and see if they had an old lot somewhere then give me a call back.

This can't be so difficult. If the part number needs the "AD", am I ordering the wrong ones?

[Aerowood]

Yes this could be causing the problem. I didn't think that you could even order an aircraft rivet without an alloy number. The part number MS20470AD5-5 breaks down as follows: MS=military standard, 20470=head style, AD=alloy, 5=dia. in 32's, -5=lenght in 16th's. The alloy number breaks down as follows from softest to hardest in aluminum alloy numbers, A=1100- plain head, B=5052-plus on head, AD=2117-dimple on head, D=2017-raised dimple on head. DD=2024-dash dash on head, E=7075-circle on head. The early Airstreams Used AD's. My 1971 uses A's but as I am changing alot of skin and I am replacing them with AD's. I don't know what year Airstream switched over to the softer rivets.



























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