RivetBangers.com

Opps! I managed to nick the spar waffle reinforcement while trying to buck a rivet by myself tonight. That's the exact damn reason I don't do it by myself. Anyway, here's the pic.



The worst one is to the southwest of the nutplate where you can see a very small chunk has been moved. The other is to the south/southeast of the nutplate where I managed to make a few minor scratches.

What can I do about this? Should I do anything since it's the waffle webbing? It's just not very accessible between those inboard ribs. Suggestions???

Here's a cutie!!

Not sure how you're doing those, but a couple things I do:
1. Lots of tape around there to protect from misplaced bucking bars / rivet sets. A layer of duct tape will prevent a small nick as long as you realize you're off and stop quickly.

2. You can back rivet those rivets - use a heavy bucking bar on the front of the spar and the back rivet set inside - less likely to slip off that way.

I bet van's will tell you to buff it out and move on...

Thomas
-8 wings (we're in the same place...)

Jeez, Chad, your daughter's gorgeous. Uh, I mean, I wouldn't worry about little tiny dings like that.

prestwich wrote:Jeez, Chad, your daughter's gorgeous. Uh, I mean, I wouldn't worry about little tiny dings like that.

Daughter??? I know my wife looks young, but....sheesh!

tshort wrote:Not sure how you're doing those, but a couple things I do:
1. Lots of tape around there to protect from misplaced bucking bars / rivet sets. A layer of duct tape will prevent a small nick as long as you realize you're off and stop quickly.

2. You can back rivet those rivets - use a heavy bucking bar on the front of the spar and the back rivet set inside - less likely to slip off that way.

I bet van's will tell you to buff it out and move on...

Thomas
-8 wings (we're in the same place...)

DUH!! Backrivet!!! Man!! Now why didn't I even TRY to think of a better way! Bonehead. I'll backrivet the left side.

I started using tape AFTER I did that. Bonehead.

Now, since I'm clearly NOT thinking properly here...since it's nice and tight in there, what would be the best way of getting in there to buff and smooth it? I don't want to damage it further, or worse yet, damage the spar web...

How about a dremel tool with a very fine sandpaper bit on the end ?

Or do it by hand, polish with scotchbrite, and prime the areas where the annodizing was removed.

cjensen wrote: Daughter??? I know my wife looks young, but....sheesh!

Ah, a couple of kids. I thought this hobby was just for old men. She looks about 15 in that first pic.

The advantage to maturity is, if I can't see the ding, scratch, clubbed head, crooked hole, etc., without my high-powered reading glasses, it doesn't need "fixing!" Seriously, I wouldn't spend two seconds thinking about a little tiny blemish like that.

Yeah, she get's that a lot...don't tell her I told you this, but she'll be 27 in two weeks! She says "I'm getting soooo OLD!!!"

Anyway, back to the subject at hand. I think the dremel would work best, but I'm afraid I'll slip with that thing. I guess if I tape around the area, if it slips, I'd have some protection. 'Nuff said, I'll do that...

THANK YA!!