Matt's RV-8 Project



Matt Dralle's RV-8 Project
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Date:  7-11-2008
Number of Hours:  1.00
Manual Reference:  
Brief Description:  New Compressor Works Better...

I swung by Lowes tonight after work and had a look at their Compressor selection. Turns out that late model compressors are now more in the 200psi range compared to the 100psi range like the one I bought way back in 1988. I settled on this nice Dewalt model with a 15gal tank and a max psi of 200 at a modest price of $359. Manual said to run it for 15 minutes with the take open to break in the motor. RRRRRRrrrrrr... Its definitely kind of LOUD compared to the old one.

After the break in, I hooked up the pneumatic rivet squeezer though the foot peddle and through the small-gauge green hose. I set the pressure to 110 psi at the compressor, then measured the psi at the input to the squeezer - 100 psi! So, at 80 to 100 psi on the old compressor, I was only seeing 80-90 psi at the squeezer. No wonder it would barely even squeeze the 1/8" rivets!!

I cranked the pressure at the compressor up to 120psi and measured about 110 at the squeezer. Set the gap for a fresh 3/16" rivet and tried it out on a test piece. Boink! Like butter, my friends. I grabbed the Horz Stab rear spar and gave those hinge rivets one more wack and was able to get to the 1.5d shop head! Nice!

Moral of the story? Don't skimp on tools, you cheapskates!!
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DeWalt 200psi 15 Gallon Compressor

DeWalt 200psi 15 Gallon Compressor

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DeWalt 200psi 15 Gallon Compressor

DeWalt 200psi 15 Gallon Compressor

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