Matt's RV-8 Project



Matt Dralle's RV-8 Project
' style=
Date:  12-15-2009
Number of Hours:  1.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  CherryMax CR3214 Pop Rivets On Gear Tower - Part 1

There were about 6 rivets on each side of the top instrument panel skin that were located inside the gear towers. Consequently, getting to the backside to buck them was nearly impossible. I suppose with just the right bucking bar, crafted specifically just for reaching those pesky rivets, you probably could buck them, but of the 8 or 9 bucking bars I have, nothing came even close.

I did a little research on the Net and found that many people have been using CherryMax CR3214 4-4 Pop rivets for these few rivets. These, however, seem to be a little hard to find because they have a 1/8" body, but a 3/32" countersunk rivet head. I found a great source for them, however, at Genuine Aircraft Hardware Company ( http://www.gen-aircraft-hardware.com/store.asp?alternate=CR3214%2D4%2D4 ). These guys have all kind of nifty hardware for aircraft and are very friendly and helpful on the phone. Give them a call and have them ship you a catalog; a resource guide in and of itself.

I ordered 30 or so of the CR3214 4-4 and when they arrived, I drilled the holes out to 1/8" and then stuck them in the holes. The are really cool and leave a completely flush rivet that almost cannot be distinguished from a standard 426 3/32" rivet. In fact, the mandrel of these pop rivets breaks off exactly flush as well, so they don't even leave any ugly hole.

By the way, if you have a decent "standard" pop rivet tool, it should work with the CR3214 rivets as well. No need to buy a special rivet tool.
' style=

CherryMax CR3214 4-4 Pop Rivets

CherryMax CR3214 4-4 Pop Rivets

' style=

First Every Other...

First Every Other...

' style=

Then The Rest - Can't Hardly Tell Them From AN426 Rivets

Then The Rest - Can't Hardly Tell Them From AN426 Rivets

' style=










Copyright © 2008-2024 Matt Dralle. All Rights Reserved.