New RV-12 Builder – Rivet Tool Question - VAF Forums

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VAF Forums > Model Specific > RV-12 New RV-12 Builder – Rivet Tool Question 02-25-2012, 06:24 PM   Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 2 New RV-12 Builder – Rivet Tool Question Well, I finally decided to stop setting on the fence. After many years of visiting the Van’s tent at Oshkosh and helping a friend pound together an RV-9A, I’ve decided it is now or never. An order for the RV-12 empennage and wing kits was placed earlier this week. What sealed the deal for me was a visit to Schmetterling Aviation one rainy Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago. Dave was gracious enough to stop working on his RV-12 and took the time to show me around his production facility. After viewing Dave’s build, hearing his comments about the project and having the opportunity to look over Van’s instructions and drawings, I decided a 12 was on the horizon just in time for Spring thaw. Before I ask my question, I want to express my gratitude to all the participants of this forum who have paved the way for those of us that are late starters. A big thanks to all of you who have discussed necessary tools, needed supplies, solutions for problems, along with helpful building tips. You have provided a wealth of knowledge for us new builders. Now on to tools…. After reading the forums, I know I will need/want a pneumatic puller to accompany the hand puller for the pop rivets. However, I also want to procure a pneumatic squeezer as well … I know it is not a necessary tool, but I want one none the less. The question, for those of you finished with your RV-12 or far enough along with your build to comment is … can all of the RV-12’s required squeezed rivets be done with a pneumatic squeezer with a 3” reach? I’m hoping to avoid purchasing a hand squeezer all together if possible. Thanks in advance for the advice. John 02-25-2012, 07:00 PM   Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Springville, UT Posts: 280 Welcome to VAF, John, and congratulations on ordering your kit. It sounds like you really did your homework, and maybe you've been lurking here awhile, so you know there's a great group of people here, eager to help. Someone experienced with the -12 will no doubt answer your question soon. Best wishes on your project. -- Stephen 02-25-2012, 07:23 PM   Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: kansas Posts: 101 Quote: Originally Posted by John-G The question, for those of you finished with your RV-12 or far enough along with your build to comment is … can all of the RV-12’s required squeezed rivets be done with a pneumatic squeezer with a 3” reach? I’m hoping to avoid purchasing a hand squeezer all together if possible. John I have finished all sheet metal kits with no hand squeezer. Pneumatic squeezer only and loved the tool. __________________ Larry Vandegrift Rose Hill KS 172N Flying RV12 #357 EAB 684RV reserved Working on finish kit VIKING POWER!! 02-25-2012, 09:55 PM   Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Paris, TX Posts: 146 Private message I sent you a P.M. __________________ Steve Garrett -903-272-5639, steve@scgarrett.com N905RV Flying - 61.7 hrs to date 02-25-2012, 09:57 PM   Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: La Feria Texas Posts: 1,318 My experience was different from Larry, I used the pneumatic as well as TWO hand jobs, and would recommend the two hand ones. There is lots of dimpling and things the hand ones done easier in my opinion. Regardless, it saved time by not having to change dies so often. I still recommend a pneumatic and two hand jobs. __________________ AF1 (was RV12) EAB Air Force One, SN 461, N461DG VIKING/HONDA ENGINE POWERED! A&P, PP-SEL, Pathological Flier, EAA Technical Counselor EAA Chapter 595 President,http://www.595.eaachapter.org/index.htm Retired US Army Officer http://www.mykitlog.com/users/catego...903&category=0 02-25-2012, 10:01 PM   Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Springville, UT Posts: 280 I've enjoyed my build, Don, but it sounds like you've enjoyed yours more. -- Stephen 02-25-2012, 10:14 PM   Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Posts: 98 I do not think you can get by with just one yoke, at least we could not. The Cleveland Main Squeeze is the best of the manual squeezers __________________ Dan Wright Building RV-12 #511 in the Mojave desert (1976W reserved) http://www.mykitlog.com/DanWright/ 02-25-2012, 11:05 PM   Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: New London, NC (near Charlotte) Posts: 22 Quote: Originally Posted by DanWright I do not think you can get by with just one yoke, at least we could not. The Cleveland Main Squeeze is the best of the manual squeezers True, but the body of the Main Squeeze is wider than my 30-year-old squeezer, making it harder to get into some tight spots (like the rudder spar hinges). I love the Main Squeeze, but still have to use old one for some rivets. __________________ Empannage in progress Fuselage still in the box RV-12 120593 http://www.coe.uncc.edu/~hill http://jerre-hill.blogspot.com 02-26-2012, 08:47 AM   Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Chuckey, TN Posts: 16 John, I've built two RV's - an 8 and an 8A and am pretty close to finishing my RV12, and I've never owned a pneumatic squeezer. I've always used the Avery hand squeezer with two yokes; a 2" and a 4" "No hole" yoke. The pneumatic squeezer is, in my opinion, really not needed for the RV12. There just aren't that many solid rivets to squeeze. I would highly recommend a pneumatic "pop" rivet gun, though. Walt Shipley 02-26-2012, 09:49 AM   Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 63 Quote: Originally Posted by Walt Shipley John, I've built two RV's - an 8 and an 8A and am pretty close to finishing my RV12, and I've never owned a pneumatic squeezer. I've always used the Avery hand squeezer with two yokes; a 2" and a 4" "No hole" yoke. The pneumatic squeezer is, in my opinion, really not needed for the RV12. There just aren't that many solid rivets to squeeze. I would highly recommend a pneumatic "pop" rivet gun, though. Walt Shipley Walt, What brand of compressor and pneumatic "pop" rivet guns would you recommend? Any and all comments/recommendations by others also are appreciated. « Previous Thread | Next Thread » Thread Tools Search this Thread Show Printable Version Email this Page Display Modes Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode Posting Rules You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:55 PM.