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Spar Tunnel Craziness

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2024 12:37 pm
by BobDz
I'm considering making the wing attach angles and the aft tunnel web assembly a "sub assembly" to make it easier to install the flush rivets on the inside of the tunnel. Then installing the sub-assembly to the L/H and R/H skins which is riveted from the outside of the Skin.

Same for the Forward Tunnel Zee, but the sub-assembly will remain clecoed to the skins for wing rigging.

Seems to me to be the easiest way to get the flush rivets nicely installed. I would not want a rivet head interfering with the wing spars.

Any reason(s) not to do this?

TIA

Re: Spar Tunnel Craziness

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2024 2:14 pm
by Bryan Cotton
There is usually more than one way to skin the proverbial cat. Do a dry run with clecoes or a couple of aluminum pops and see if there are issues. I did not have any problems with those flush rivets.

Re: Spar Tunnel Craziness

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2024 2:17 pm
by BobDz
Bryan Cotton wrote:There is usually more than one way to skin the proverbial cat. Do a dry run with clecoes or a couple of aluminum pops and see if there are issues. I did not have any problems with those flush rivets.


Did you have to install the flush rivets with a hand riveter inside the Spar tunnel?

Re: Spar Tunnel Craziness

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2024 2:51 pm
by Bryan Cotton
I have a vauge memory of using bent mandrels and wedges to pull them. I don't remember if I used a hand or pneumatic riveter.

Re: Spar Tunnel Craziness

PostPosted: Wed Apr 10, 2024 3:54 pm
by N265DF
Don't know if its still available but I used an Arrow hand riveter that I think I got at Harbour Freight. I found out about it on the old Sonex Talk site. It broke in the middle of riveting so I went back to Harbour Freight and found one with the same demensions. I'll be damned if I didn't wear it out too, but after finishing the spar tunnel. No way could I get the air riveter in there.
Darrell Frey