4" RIvet Squeezer?

s10sakota · Post by **s10sakota** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 12:18 pm

I am ready to rivet the skins of my rudder to the frame. I watched the Homebuilt Help video and the builder used a 4" squeezer for this step.

I have a 2" squeezer that does not allow interchangable heads so I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy another one.

Could I use the rivet gun and bucking bar for this? Is it better to use a squeezer?

I'd rather not spend the money on another 4" squeezer but if it's going to be required or really useful on the rest of the airplane, then I might as well buy one. Will it be needed later?

Post by **bullojm1** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 6:01 pm

Mark,

I didn't have a 4" squeezer, and I built a whole RV-7. Eventually I think you would want to buy a squeezer with interchangeable yokes. I found the no-hold and longeron yokes very helpful. I also have a pneumatic squeezer which is worth its weight in gold.

Long story short, think about more yokes and a better squeezer in the future. However, I don't think there is any rivet on the RV you "must" have a squeezer for. However, a squeezer sure makes things a lot easier, especially with a variety of yokes. Check Ebay and the VAF classifieds for used stuff. No reason to buy it new, especially if you aren't in a hurry.

bruceh · Post by **bruceh** » Sun Oct 30, 2011 8:34 pm

I bought the 4" no hole yoke, longeron yoke and 3" yoke w/ hole from Avery. Used all of them and it is nice to have the diversity to make it work when you can't get the squeezer around or out to something. I should have also got the short 2" yoke.

It's only money!

BTW, I'm a certified tool junkie.

s10sakota · Post by **s10sakota** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:19 am

Well I broke down and and ordered a 4" Avery squeezer and also a longeron yoke.

I've been using a rivet gun while riveting the bottom of the rudder frame together and I'm not real happy with some of my rivets. I have a few smiley faces on the man. end of a rivet or two.

I've had to drill a couple of them out. I suppose I need to hold the gun tighter to the rivet. I never got any smiley faces on my practive rivets so I don't know why I'm getting them now.

EIther way...I ordered the 4" squeezer so my rivets will come out nicer!

Bob Barrett · Post by **Bob Barrett** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 5:42 pm

If you can acquire a used pneumatic squezzer at a fair price, go for it. Depending upon the age of the pneumatic it should be half price of a new one or less. Make sure it works before buying it. You will find it a worth while investment. I have a used one and am keeping it for maintenance and or modifications of something on my RV-6A. N784TB.