I am getting started on the final assembly of the vertical stabilizer and have hit my first snag.
Riveting VS-705, VS-704, and VS-702, I'm having trouble getting my hand squeezer to sit on the rivet cleanly without either deflecting the nose rib or creating a smiley on the manufactured head of the rivet. If the squeezer deflects the nose rib, the flange no longer sits flush on the forward spar, and I don't think the rivet is going to set correctly.
The simplest solution to me would be to bend the back flange of VS-705 to get more clearance and then gently bend it back into place after setting the rivets. Would this be ok, or am I work hardening the aluminum too much if I do that?
Alternatively, I could look at getting a squeezer that would accept the thin-nosed yoke that I've been using on my pneumatic squeezer, but I'd rather use the squeezer I have if possible.
I'm well aware that I may be overthinking this, but looking for advice.
Thanks!
Riveting VS-705, VS-704, and VS-702, I'm having trouble getting my hand squeezer to sit on the rivet cleanly without either deflecting the nose rib or creating a smiley on the manufactured head of the rivet. If the squeezer deflects the nose rib, the flange no longer sits flush on the forward spar, and I don't think the rivet is going to set correctly.
The simplest solution to me would be to bend the back flange of VS-705 to get more clearance and then gently bend it back into place after setting the rivets. Would this be ok, or am I work hardening the aluminum too much if I do that?
Alternatively, I could look at getting a squeezer that would accept the thin-nosed yoke that I've been using on my pneumatic squeezer, but I'd rather use the squeezer I have if possible.
I'm well aware that I may be overthinking this, but looking for advice.
Thanks!