Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

[Kirk M.]

I took everyone's advice and purchased an aircraft rivet gun and tools off ebay (Figs 1-3). Just want to get it straight before I use it. I have also attached a pic of the body rivets (Fig 4). So,

1. I put the rivet through the hole with the large flat surface in the wheel well and the stem protruding through the hole and "J" clamp in the front clip area.
2. I place the gun in the wheel well with one of the large circular flat head "hammers" on the large flat surface of rivet.
3. I place the bucking bar (large flat bar in middle top of pic) on the stem in the front clip area.
4. Push on the gun so the large flat head of the rivet is flush with the body panel, hold the bucking bar pressed against the stem and pull the trigger.

Is that correct?

One final question, in Figure 1 there is a dial around the trigger. What does that adjust, the hammer strength? Thanks.


Kirk

[Tracy C.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

Kirk, You are procedurally correct.

The dial around the trigger might be a regulator of sorts. An easy way to check is rotate it both ways and try. Just put one of the flush sets in the gun and press it down on your workbench and hammer away.

Bucking bars can take on an infinite number of configurations. These are mostly driven by the availible work space surrounding the rivet butt. Don't feel like you have to use the bucking bar that came in your kit. If you have room, a 3lb hammer head works beautifully as a bucking bar.

If I were you, I'd practice on something sacrifical first. This will allow you get the air pressure adjusted for the rivets you are using.

tc

[Peter J.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

Kirk,
I'm with Tracey on this one you need to practice first and decide about air pressure and what effect you want and what you end up with. I was surprised how little air I needed to set the power brake booster rivets on my 66. Experiment first rivets are cheap.

[Kirk M.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

Was planning on that. Will be practicing this week before I attempt the real thing. Thanks.


Kirk

[Greg L.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

I second what Peter and Tracy say. The best way to "set-up" your gun is to turn down the knob (air valve) on it and practice against a block of wood then gradually turn it up to where you want it. I would think that dead soft rivets like these will only need a very low setting.

The shank should fit nicely in the hole or you can expect it to just bend over like a bad nail and you will have to drill it out and start over. I had some enlarged holes so what I did was "pre squeeze" them in a vice until the shank expanded to about the same size as the hole.

When you do start to buck the rivets place a layer or two of masking tape on the rivet contact face of the snap. This will greatly reduce the tendency for the snap to slide off of the rivet and damage the surrounding panels when bucking. Replace the tape as required.

[Kirk M.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

Thanks. Great suggestions.

Kirk

[Ara G.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

Guys,
Is this the same type of gun to use to rivet the large splash shield brackets to the floor of the car? I need to find one or rent one or borrow one....Thanks....ARA

[John H.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

I use an in-line regulator set at about 15 psi - that's about all you need to set soft aluminum body rivets.

[Kirk M.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

Guys,
Is this the same type of gun to use to rivet the large splash shield brackets to the floor of the car? I need to find one or rent one or borrow one....Thanks....ARA

You can borrow mine when I'm done with. I can mail it to you. Just let me know. It may be a few weeks till I practice and set my rivet, but after that it will just sit in a drawer. Just mail it back once your done.

Kirk

[Kirk M.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

I use an in-line regulator set at about 15 psi - that's about all you need to set soft aluminum body rivets.

Thanks John, have one of those in-line regulators already for painting so now I know where to set it to start rivet smashing!

Kirk

[Steven N.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

Kirk,

Where did you buy the gun kit at ?

Thanks,
steven j.....................

[Kirk M.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

Bought it off ebay.

Kirk

[Donald L.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

I bought the air hammer tool for setting ball joint rivets from ZIP #TL-153 works perfect on the aluminum rivet with the air turned down and backed up with a heavy hammer or pc. of steel it rounds them out like original, not flat. Just get a cheep air hammer from harber freight, I replaced almost all the rivets in a 66 and they look perfect.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

I bought the air hammer tool for setting ball joint rivets from ZIP #TL-153 works perfect on the aluminum rivet with the air turned down and backed up with a heavy hammer or pc. of steel it rounds them out like original, not flat. Just get a cheep air hammer from harber freight, I replaced almost all the rivets in a 66 and they look perfect.

My experience with using the cheap air hammers for rivets is not good. A real rivet gun allows you to gradually feather the trigger so as to ramp up on full air pressure. (pop.......pop....pop..pop.pop.pop.)

The elcheapos have a "all or nothing" trigger. (pop.pop.pop.pop.pop.. ah sh&t !!!)

An inexperienced person can hoseup the work piece pretty easily using those things. Spend $50 and get a good used tool.

tc

[Donald L.]

Re: Aircraft Rivet Gun Help

Your gun may needs oil, All you do is set the air presser low, real easy.