Tank Z Brackets

aparchment · Post by **aparchment** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 9:39 pm

Guys:

I have been puzzling over the z bracket drilling process for two nights. I looked at Dan's site and Brad's site and I don't understand why offsetting the initial hole 1/16th toward the web of the z bracket will get me more space to use pop riveter when I attach the bracket to the tank.

Can someone help me understand this so I can move on.

Thanks.

Antony

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:23 pm

I DID NOT offset mine, and I had plenty of room.

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:25 pm

Anthony,

The reason you slightly offset the holes for the bolts is so you have a tiny bit more room for the rivets... well actually its for the rivet puller.
Most people buy a cheap rivet puller and grind away some of the shaft so it will fit properly when pulling the tank rivets.

Someone must have some pictures of this that might help visualize it.

aparchment · Post by **aparchment** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 10:54 pm

If I understand correctly Dave, by moving the spar to z bracket bolt holes closer to the web I am increasing the space between the rivet holes and the web, thus giving myself a bit more room to insert my pop riveter?

Antony

JohnR · Post by **JohnR** » Tue Oct 17, 2006 11:06 pm

Yes, that is correct. I did move mine the 1/16 and had no trouble at all.

rv8or · Post by **rv8or** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 8:43 am

You're actually moving the rivet holes 1/16th, to give more room for the puller, and therefore must then move the bolt holes to make up for the difference.

I read Dan's and Brad's write-up about 3 or 4 times before I had it down. Works great...eventually.

Good luck--

Joe

Wicked Stick · Post by **Wicked Stick** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 7:16 pm

aparchment wrote:If I understand correctly Dave, by moving the spar to z bracket bolt holes closer to the web I am increasing the space between the rivet holes and the web, thus giving myself a bit more room to insert my pop riveter?

Antony

Yep

aparchment · Post by **aparchment** » Wed Oct 18, 2006 10:10 pm

Got it! Thanks guys.

Antony

RV7Factory · Post by **RV7Factory** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:24 pm

Just be sure you DON'T offset the holes on the inboard z-bracket towards the web, offset those 1/16" away. This is because the inboard z-bracket is only one where the nutplates are on the spar rather than the z-bracket. If you offset the holes towards the web on this bracket, you might not be able to turn the bolt as the head of the bolt might hit the web of the z-bracket. Clear as mud?

If I were doing this again... I would do it EXACTLY the same way.

Personally, I think greatest benefit from using the DanC method is the ease at which you are able to get everything aligned. IIRC, the factory method has you drilling the z-brackets off (away from) the spar and baffle, which can introduce alignment issues. The DanC method leaves everything together. Just be sure to use your drill stops when drilling the z-brackets throught the baffle.

However, as usual, YMMV.

aparchment · Post by **aparchment** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 12:54 pm

That's great advice Brad. Thanks also for the reminder on the inboard brackets.

Antony

RivetBangers.com

Tank Z Brackets

Tank Z Brackets

let's see if I get it

Yep

Re: let's see if I get it

awesome

thanks Brad