Buck rivet gun question - Airstream Forums

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03-15-2012, 11:10 AM   #1 2 Rivet Member   salzburg , salzburg Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 60 Buck rivet gun question Hello all, i bought this buck rivet gun over ebay and was told it had a .498 shank (which i geuss it does!) the seller sent me a few different bits for the gun but some were only .401 shanks so i ordered a 5/32 bit with a .498 shank and when i came to use it the spring which goes over the gun is too small for the shank, could i just take a couple of rounds off the spring? to solve this problem, also to buck countersunk rivets do you use the flat bits??. i geuss using it without the spring would put this piece of kit in the league of a lethal weapon, i've attached some photo'S please any thoughts __________________   03-15-2012, 11:32 AM   #2 Rivet Master     2010 30' Classic Vintage Kin Owner Northfield , Minnesota Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 2,443 Don't use it without the spring. You'll break something, either your trailer or your toe. It looks to me like the spring is broken. Usually there's an end on it you can unwind a little to insert and remove tools. But maybe it's just a different style. I would suggest contacting the manufacturer of the air hammer and ordering a spring of the correct size. __________________   03-15-2012, 11:37 AM   #3 Tool Hoarder     1965 30' Sovereign West Hills , California Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 673 Get a new sping from Aircraft Spruce, VTS or ATS. DO NOT USE THE GUN THE SPRING!!! Make sure it is a 3x gun. I would also get the rivet set from VTS. Use the flush (flat) set for counter sinking but the skin will have to be dimpled with a dimple die first __________________ Behind every great man, there is a woman rolling her eyes. My Airstream renovation and camping Blog My frame and floor restoration thread   03-15-2012, 04:08 PM   #4 Rivet Master     1971 21' Globetrotter Arvada , Colorado Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,795 The rivet guns with the .498 shank are generally a 5X gun or bigger to shoot 1/4 inch rivets or larger. So be sure to do a trial shoot because the gun could be way to big. __________________ http://www.airforums.com/forums/f416...nte-26902.html   03-15-2012, 06:35 PM   #5 3 Rivet Member     1974 27' Overlander Sault ste Marie , Ontario Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 118 Your also going to need a different spring for the flat snap. ( the one for the countersunk rivets).....Phil. __________________   03-16-2012, 03:39 AM   #6 2 Rivet Member   salzburg , salzburg Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 60 thanks for the replies, it is a 4x gun (well that's what i was told), I looked on airspruce for a spring but couldn't find one but instead ordered a reduction cup from.498 to .401 so hopefully that will work thanks for the help. __________________   03-16-2012, 06:34 AM   #7 Rivet Master     1968 24' Tradewind Oxford, , Mississippi Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 794 When you get your new gun, be sure and practice on some scrap material with it before trying to rivet on the trailer. Riveting is not hard but there is a learning curve. There is a "feel" for it that you need to understand before you start to rivet on a surface that can not be replaced. I was taught by an old airplane mechanic, no room for error on the skin of a plane or your Airstream. __________________ __________________ Bruce & Rachel __________________ 68 Trade Wind 2001 Toyota Tundra TAC-MS-3 KF5IMA   03-16-2012, 10:41 AM   #8 3 Rivet Member     1974 27' Overlander Sault ste Marie , Ontario Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 118 Just took a closer look at the pictures, and without being able to see the end, it looks like the end of the flat snap shank has been cut off. I don't see how it could be of any use in a gun. You can get a complete set of rivet snaps at any aircraft tool supply company for a reasonable price, avoiding possible injury from tools whose history you don't know. And what was said earlier about practice on scrap is true. Riveting is a learned art, not rocket science but it does require practice. Good luck....Phil. __________________   03-16-2012, 12:27 PM   #9 Rivet Master     1971 21' Globetrotter Arvada , Colorado Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,795 The retaining springs you have are called beehive springs and are used with straight sets. Install the rivet set and slide the beehive retainer over the set and screw onto the rivet gun. This type retainer is the best to use on button head rivet sets. The Flush set show in the picture will not work on the rivet gun shown as it is designed for a short piston rivet gun. __________________ http://www.airforums.com/forums/f416...nte-26902.html   « Interior Skin Aluminium Suggestions | Top | Sovereign vs. Deer » Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)   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 Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post LED Lighting question CO Airstream Lights - Interior & Exterior 13 03-15-2012 10:29 PM newbie with a tow question echo44 Tow Vehicles 45 03-15-2012 06:59 AM Rivet Type - Door Strike Plate bganso Doors & Locks 2 03-14-2012 09:33 PM Generator--HVAC Question Tideair Generators & Solar Power 10 03-14-2012 09:24 PM '72 Safari wiring question iscraigh Lights - Interior & Exterior 6 03-14-2012 01:05 PM

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