Eagler's Nest

Airframes => Single Seaters => Topic started by: rv7charlie on June 10, 2026, 06:56:03 AM

Title: Rivet material for the tail?
Post by: rv7charlie on June 10, 2026, 06:56:03 AM

Since the plans don't seem to spec rivet material... Has anyone used aluminum, or is everyone using stainless pop rivets to assemble the tail? If stainless, do they do any damage to the round tubing when you pull them? Asking because a stainless pop is a *lot* tougher than that 6061 tube and I'm wondering if it tries to tear the hole when it contacts only two sides at first.

Title: Re: Rivet material for the tail?
Post by: Kamcoman77 on June 10, 2026, 02:45:25 PM

Used Marson stainless rivets (shell & mandrel) on all empennage construction. SSB4-1S and SSB4-2S and Harbor Freight air-operated rivet gun. Had no issues with pull-through or lack of clamping force on gussets, ribs, or tubing.

Title: Re: Rivet material for the tail?
Post by: rv7charlie on June 10, 2026, 06:03:19 PM

Good to know; thanks. I probably have enough stainless on hand from other projects to build the tail, but if aluminum works, 'better is the enemy of good enough'. ;-)

Also have the HF pneumatic puller in my tool stash, so I should be good to go.