F1 Rocket Hangar

Speed...Speed and Looks...Looks and Speed!

  • The Airplane Builder
  • F1 Rocket Info
    • F1 Rocket Specs
    • F1 Rocket Build Tips
  • F1 Build Log
  • About
    • Disclosure
  • Stewart 51 Hangar
  • Resources
  • Ask Mike | Contact

Rudder Stiffener Riveting Redux

May 31, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

I recently received the replacement rudder skin for the one that I messed up a few weeks back, while riveting on the stiffener angles. While riveting this one, I made darn sure that the back riveting plate was under where I was riveting.  Everything was going great, until I got to the trailing edge.  I got most of these rivets set, but because the skin is pre-formed you really need to push it open to get at the rivets along the trailing edge.

It’s fine near the upper end of the rudder but as you work your way down to the lower end, your arms can’t reach so well, and it’s hard to be squarely on the rivet. I bent over a few rivets and drilled them out.  Tried again.  No Joy! Drilled the rivets out again.  Tried a third time, and again, no joy.  By now the skin is starting to get deformed from all the riveting and upon looking at my current handy work, the condition of the skin is not going to be acceptable. So, this is where rudder skin # 2 has ended up.

I know I can do better work, and will.

Needless to say, I was not impressed.

Lessons Learned

The big lesson here is that if you are struggling to get the rivet gun square on the rivets, don’t rivet! In this case, I needed someone’s assistance to help me hold the skin open, and flat against the table, while I can take the time to focus on getting the rivet gun squarely in place.

It’s okay to call it a day and walk away when things just aren’t working.  There is a reason why and pushing ahead just to complete a task, isn’t always going to result in acceptable, airworthy results.

Please comment,

I love to hear from my readers.  Thanks again for coming along for this ride, you make my work worthwhile.

Filed Under: Empennage, Rudder Tagged With: Riveting, Rudder, Screw-ups

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Profile Photo 1 Hello - My name is Mike and I'm a true believer that if you can imagine something, it's just a matter of bringing it into reality.

Categories

  • Empennage
    • Elevators
      • Left Elevator
        • Trim Tab
      • Right Elevator
    • Horizontal Stabilizer
    • Rudder
    • Vertical Fin
  • In My Travels
  • Primer
  • Tools
  • Uncategorized
  • Wings
    • Ailerons
    • F-404 Bulkhead
    • Flaps
    • Fuel Tanks
    • Leading Edge
    • Left Wing
    • Rear Wing Spar
    • Right Wing
  • Workshop

Tags

Ailerons Anti-Hang Up Guide Countersink Dimpling Doubler E-606-PP Elevator Empennage F-404 Bulkhead Flaps Fuel Sender Fuel Tank Hinge Horizontal Stabilizer HS-3101 HS-3201 Jigs Leading Edge Main Squeeze Mods Oshkosh priming rear spar Rib spacing Riveting Rudder Rudder Brace Horn Screw-ups Spar spreader bars Stiffener Tools Trap Door TrimTab Vertical Fin VS-001 VS-002 VS-803PP VS-808PP W-407B W-407C W-407D Wing Wings Workshop

Copyright © 2025 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in