Left elevator rivet problem

[Joew]

Hello all!! As I was admiring my handiwork since I am almost finished with my empannage (so I thought) I noticed the manufactured heads on some of the rivets that attach the skins to the stiffeners on my left elevator are not flat and appear to be rounded. The stiffeners were flush to the skin and the shop heads measured fine.

I had noticed it earlier, but thought it was left over tape from back riveting, so I kept on building. After I placed everything together and began to clean off the tape I noticed the problem.

The right elevator is fine. I have no idea how this could have happened. Any thoughts? I was considering buying a new elevator skin or even buying a complete L elevator set as I'm certain to damage more parts if I try to tear everything apart.

Any ideas?

Thanks, Joe
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[Lorin Dueck]

Joe -

Can you post a pic??

Without seeing it - a few possibiliites come to mind:

1. You may have been off the "back-rivet plate" when setting the rivets
2. The tape used to hold the rivets during back-riveting was too thick
3. Skin or stiffener dimples were not deep enough

How many offending rivets do you have? If it's only a few - I'd try to remove them first...
Oh - and if you do remove them - suggest you start with the underside first (less visible if you make a mistake).

Finally, there's always Oops rivets...

Good luck!..and don't worry... we've all done something like that...

Lorin D
9A Fuse SB

[TomC]

Joe,

Here are my thoughts on replacing an assembly.

1. How many rivets?
2. Top or bottom side?
3. Will you always worry or kick yourself if you don't replace it?

The most important question is #3. If your answer is yes, then by all means replace it. If you answer is no, and there are not many rivets and it is on the bottom side, then leave it alone and proceed.

Just my $.02 worth.

Good Luck!

[Lorin Dueck]

Totally agree with Tom's #3 above!!

Lorin

[Joew]

Well, you guys are right. The only varible in my epic story was the use of duct tape. It appears as though it is too thick and allowed the rivet some wiggle room. I called Vans, I measured the height above the skin with a feeler gauge. They are .005 above the skin. All of the rivets appear tight. The shop heads were fine and all of the stiffeners were tight against the skin. Most of the rivets are on the top (over half are affected)

Vans opined that since the elevator is closed that I should leave them alone as long as the rivets look good and there is no skin damage, as to not cause more damage. That is what I will do. Once painted everything would smooth out.

Maybe I will touch them with a micro-shaver. Anybody ever have any luck with those?

Thanks for all of your input!! Have a great New Year
( I tried a photo but couldnt get it to work)

Joe

My resolution: NO MORE DUCT TAPE

[Joew]

Here are the photos I hope:


Overall Shot


Look at the left skin


Look at the problem rivetts






Another overall look at the skin


What do ya think?


Joe

[airguy]

I think you need to build on. Shortly, you'll have the trim tab attached to the elevator, attached to the HS, hanging on the wall while you're building the wings. About half way through the wings you'll be drinking a beer one afternoon and you'll look at the elevator again, and think to yourself "Ya know, I could rebuild that pretty easy now.....or not....."

It's really only a couple hundred dollars (aviation units?) and less than a dozen hours - but you're too close to the trees right now to see the forest. Let it ride for about 6 months before you look at it again - the building experience will give you an excellent frame of reference.

[Joew]

Just wanted to thank you all for your input. Everything is done for now. There is a LONG way to go in this project. Your insights are appreciated,


Have a GREAT NEW YEAR!!!


Joe

[Wicked Stick]

Pictures are a little small to get a good look at it.

Buy some back-rivet tape for the remainder of the project.
It's not that expensive.

Enjoy the rest of the process/project

[Sully]

Joe,
You can shave those but I would recommend that you follow the previous advice and wait awhile. Shaving on a surface that is flexible is pretty tough and the chances of making things worse is very high. Pick up a roll of "Magic" scotch tape, if works fine for back riveting.

[Spike]

As these guys say, wait and see how you feel about it in 12 months. My money is on you forgetting of their presence. You will get quite good at drilling out rivets eventually, no need to rush the process.