Nick Novia good luck
> I just wanted to add my thoughts on the rivet stems that break short.
> In my experience riveting aircraft skins, the stem broke short if the length
> of the rivet was too short for the thickness of the material. You had to measure
> the thickness with a gauge, and use the correct length rivet. Of course, if
> you used a rivet too long, the stem would break off too high???
>
> When I installed the "Olympics" on my Safari, most broke high and I ground them
> down. Some broke way early, and I believe it was because there was something
> in the way of the rivet working the way it was designed. In a few areas, the
> holes were drilled too close to a frame (someone had drilled holes over the
> windows, and didn't know the frame was there) and the rivets didn't have a chance
> to pull up I guess, and the pressure made the stems snap early. I just filled
> the stem hole with Vulkem. Not the greatest I guess, but it looks OK.
>
> The alternative would be to install a screw instead, or maybe a really short
> blind rivet. That's why I was asking about the lenghts of these Olympic rivets,
> but I guess they are more forgiving than others.
>
> A really good quality rivet, but probably expensive, is a "Cherry." I'm not
> familiar with shooting them by hand, we used air guns that were quite complicated,
> but the lengths were measured for each hole, and all the rivet stems broke flush.
> It was a very nice finish.
>
> Anyone else familiar with these rivets?
>
> I am going to buy a hand rivet tool and a bunch of different sized pop rivets
> this week. I have no experience with this type..any favorites?
>
> PS I called Inland for a rear door(one stop)..they manufacture them....for 225!
> They say they're nice.
>
> Nick
> '68 Safari
