Aircraft Riveting Equipment

[devilphrog]

I am in the process of working on getting my A&P license right now (passed my general written Friday!!) and I would like to get some riveting supplies in order to practice. Anybody know of a national supplier who has all of the rivets? I have seen bucking bars at HF but no other supplies including rivets (except for pop rivets.) I really would like to practice before my oral and practical exam with the DME. Thanks in advance!

 

[billymade]

http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=air+craft+rivet+supplies&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

 

[senlow]

Check with Aircraft Spruce & Specialty Co. www.aircraftspruce.com

 

[planenutok]

Ive done business with quite a few of these company's most of them have a good rep, and most have tool kit choices with basic riveting kits up to big kits for home builders.

http://www.aircraft-tool.com/

http://www.planetools.com/

http://www.averytools.com/

http://www.browntool.com/

http://www.yardstore.com/

http://www.cleavelandtoolstore.com/

 

[stricht8]

I think US industrial tool and supply has that stuff

 

[arkangel06]

http://www.aircraft-tool.com/


www.yardstore.com

here are the only 2 i know

 

[Shadowdog500]

Aircraft spruce will have it, but there also has to be a local source for A&Ps in your area to get stuff like this. Ask one of the local shops where they get their stuff and go there.

Chris

 

[gofastman]

yardstore.com is fantastic, great customer service and super fast shipping

 

[arkangel06]

buy tungsten bucking bars

Its worth it!

 

[TRTOOLSUPPLY]

Try Chief Aircraft.com

I have had really good business dealings with them.

 

[desert_buick]

check out texaerosupplycompany on e-bay

 

[Merkava_4]

You talking about solid rivets? If so, you've got to have a 1x rivet gun for those ... an automotive air hammer has too long of a piston stroke.

Off the top of my head for suppliers:

1. USATCO
2. SPENRO
3. ATI (owned by Snap-on)

 

[Avgas]

More like a 3x or 4x.
ATS "Pro" line of rivet guns are great and will last you a lifetime.
I recommend this kit.

http://www.aircraft-tool.com/shop/detail.aspx?PRODUCT_ID=ATS-3XPK

 

[flatheadguy]

You talking about solid rivets? If so, you've got to have a 1x rivet gun for those ... an automotive air hammer has too long of a piston stroke.

Off the top of my head for suppliers:

1. USATCO
2. SPENRO
3. ATI (owned by Snap-on)

1 (one) x (times) anything is.....one.
Been in the aircraft business for over fifty years.
2x to 3x works well for most common sized rivets. Anything rated higher is like driving brads with a sledge hammer. Kinda hard to control.

 

[sonexer]

Also, try Wicks Aircraft Supply www.wicksaircraft.com. Once upon time I was building an airplane and I received most of my hardware from them. They have good prices and ship quickly.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

1 (one) x (times) anything is.....one.
Been in the aircraft business for over fifty years.
2x to 3x works well for most common sized rivets. Anything rated higher is like driving brads with a sledge hammer. Kinda hard to control.

So true. Most general aviation riveting can be done with a 2x and a 3x. In the airline business we make good use of a 4x. Nowdays, larger stuff is hi-locks, they don't use the huge rivets any longer, as a general rule. (7x and 9x are great for beating stuff apart however )

Most rivet guns are either Chicago Pneumatic or exact clones of them (the design patents are long ago expired). I have a very old, nearly new, Cleco brand (made when Cleco was owned by the Reed Roller Bit Co.)

If you can find a Cleco 2x or 3x in this style (but with the shorter barrel of the lower power gun) you will like it, they have the best feel and handling of any I've seen.

Beyond that, get a genuine CP. At work the tool room has tried all the clones and they say they never held up as well as a genuine CP gun.

Charles

 

[nissan_crawler]

Good advice given. I wouldn't get HF bucking bars. The yard sells used ones for decent prices. I would recommend a 3x. I shoot with a 4x, from #3 aluminum to 1/4" monel (it will drive them, but once you let off, you're done), but it's a bit much for most people. I will only lend it out to 2-3 people, as it will get inexperienced people in trouble. I watched a guy beat a spar down 1/8" with it...that didn't go well.

 

[devilphrog]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Its loads of help...as an update I think I am gonna take my airframes written test tomorrow

 

[A_Pmech]

Lots of good advice given here. I like a 2x gun for general purpose work because they're relatively short and light and fit into tighter places.

I hope you're not a small guy. Otherwise, you'll be a bucker all your life.

Good luck on your written tomorrow!

 

[Shadowdog500]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Its loads of help...as an update I think I am gonna take my airframes written test tomorrow

Good luck on your Knowledge test tomorrow. You sound like you are taking this seriously, so I'm sure you will do great.

Get a good night sleep tonight, and try to relax.

Chris

 

[nissan_crawler]

Another thing with a smaller gun like a 2x, or a 3x to an extent, is if the bucker slips off, you have a little more forgiveness there.

When I shoot with my 4x, I either buck myself, or do it with one of two guys I trust. Anybody else, I'll get a smaller gun, because if they come off the rivet when I'm giving it hell with the 4x...

With a bucker that knows what they're doing, that 4x will run through a shitload of rivets in a day, though.

 

[A_Pmech]

I'll get a smaller gun, because if they come off the rivet when I'm giving it hell with the 4x...

Those are "lightening holes".

 

[devilphrog]

Well I am currently bidding on a Chicago Pneumatic 3x gun, and I hope I can get it for a good price. I figured why not go for the original. Back to the books and practice tests now!

 

[gofastman]

If you can find it, get an Atlas-Copco recoilless gun.
I picked up a 10X gun for semi trailer repair and its just insanely powerful and comfortable to use

 

[ourkid2000]

I learned to rivet using a 2x gun.........just for antenna doublers and things like that. I have never had to use anything else because I do very little sheet metal work being an Avionics tech. I might have to shoot 50 rivets a year!

Honestly though, I'm not sure what the 2x, 3x, 4x stuff means because the 2x works perfect for what I do and I've never had to use anything else.

So.....what is the difference in these guns anyways? I know the higher the number the harder (and faster maybe?)they hit I suppose.