TwoHands Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 (edited) I'm making a riveting tool. It will be about 2 inches long and will be curved on an 18" radius. You will start at one edge and roll down the rivets without the need for a guide if you follow scribed panel lines. Because in rolls it can follow curves etc. I'd like to only make one or two so I'm asking for a general idea how far flush aircraft rivets are part. I know what I think but I'm wondering what would look right in general for a typical stressed aluminum skin with flush rivets. A compromise spacing? If I can get the needles and make it work I'd be glad to show what I'm going. Edited September 24, 2020 by TwoHands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyT Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Good job I nail real ones together then and know where to look, here you go https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/amt_airframe_handbook/media/ama_Ch04.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimRice Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 AC 43-13 is good info. Rivet spacing depends on multiple factors. LSP_K2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigant Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 Depends on the type of aircraft and scale of the model. I suggest that you visit an airport or an aircraft museum in NY with a sewing fabric type tape measure (in case you have to pass a metal detector) and a note pad and share the results here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoHands Posted October 10, 2017 Author Share Posted October 10, 2017 Good job I nail real ones together then and know where to look, here you go https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/amt_airframe_handbook/media/ama_Ch04.pdf Interesting! Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoHands Posted October 10, 2017 Author Share Posted October 10, 2017 Depends on the type of aircraft and scale of the model. I suggest that you visit an airport or an aircraft museum in NY with a sewing fabric type tape measure (in case you have to pass a metal detector) and a note pad and share the results here. I have seen tons of planes and have lots of pics. What I'm asking is what would look obviously WRONG? I'm thinking a good average is 4". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigant Posted October 10, 2017 Share Posted October 10, 2017 I have seen tons of planes and have lots of pics. What I'm asking is what would look obviously WRONG? I'm thinking a good average is 4". Well, as an example, 4" @ 1/32 scale: 4"/32=1/8" To verify your estimate, you could also dig an older scale kit out of your stash and measure the rivet distancing on it, adjusting for the scale of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holzemjo Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 I'm not really sure that one rivet every 4'' is enough... Extreme example, I know, but look at this image of a NMF DC-3: There seems to be a rivet at least every inch! Another example can be found looking at the link, that MARU posted in general discussion: https://blog.klm.com/4-photos-of-naked-klm-aircraft-leaked/ There's a closeup of a 747 showing the incredible amount of rivets that they use to keep the skin in place. I'm not sure if it would look good to have too many rivets on a scale model, but I think a scale 4'' might be a bit too scarce... Opinions? Zero77 and sandokan 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gigant Posted October 11, 2017 Share Posted October 11, 2017 Buy an older injection-molded kit, build it and rub it to feel soothed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoHands Posted October 12, 2017 Author Share Posted October 12, 2017 I'm not really sure that one rivet every 4'' is enough... Extreme example, I know, but look at this image of a NMF DC-3: There seems to be a rivet at least every inch! Another example can be found looking at the link, that MARU posted in general discussion: https://blog.klm.com/4-photos-of-naked-klm-aircraft-leaked/ There's a closeup of a 747 showing the incredible amount of rivets that they use to keep the skin in place. I'm not sure if it would look good to have too many rivets on a scale model, but I think a scale 4'' might be a bit too scarce... Opinions? Wow that is a ton of rivets! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdthoresen Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 In most monocoque or semi-monocoque aircraft the general rule of thumb was spacing of "4d to 12d"....with "d" being the diameter of the rivet shank. Now this depends on a multitude of factors, such as manufacturer, structure, shape, etc. AC 43.13 is a great reference.......Use it all the time.I will be interested to see what you come up with tool wise.THOR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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