Learning the Tools

I want to complete the HS, and after taking the step by step instructions, there's really only the riveting of the Rear Spar to the skins and a couple of ribs left to do. I really want to thoroughly complete one section before moving on to the next, so I need to learn to rivet.

Actually, I need to learn a lot, so I began with the bare basics... My experience really shows that you learn by doing and Anyone can learn to do this... I had scrap Aluminum to experiment with.

Object: rivet two pieces of Aluminum together

Difficulty Level: Geez!!! It shouldn't be this hard...

The rivets needed to finish the HS are AN426AD3-3.5

So, I get some of those rivets out, two pieces of Aluminum out

Which drill bit is correct? refer to the Vans Binder, and Aircraft Construction book to make sure... Well, its a .980something, or a #40 or almost a 3/32th

Then I want to dimple the thin Aluminum, so I know there's this thing called a DIE... Look in Avery's Catalogue for a picture, find it in my tool box welded onto a vise grip, ah, hand dimple die! Works well!!!

I can't hand dimple die the second piece of Aluminum, its too thick... Countersink it, can't get the 100 degree countersink pointy part thru the #40 hole...??? whatda?? figure it out tomorrow, I really want to rivet something... So, I manually countersink with a deburring tool.

Pneumatic rivet gun... read the instruction, try, fail, try, fail, hey this one ain't to bad!! purposely make a few bad to understand the why, and try the rivet gauge thing....

This all took time as I read all the tool manuals...!! My daughter Isabella & Mommy kept me motivated.