[TowerTalk] F-12 C3S assembly hints?

[Bill Coleman]

On 2/23/01 16:59, N2TK at n2tk@idsi.net wrote:

>Nat, highly recommend that you put in all 3 rivets before using the rivet
>tool. This way you know for sure that you have the right pieces together. I
>use the chair method as an easy way to rivet the elements. I put in all 3
>rivets then use one hand to place the rivet tool on each rivet and pop.

This is really excellent advice. I haven't built a Force12 antenna, but 
I've pulled hundreds of blind rivets. 

When building aircraft with these fasteners, we use a device called a 
Cleco -- after the company that first made them. They are a little 
spring-loaded clamps that insert into the rivet hole. They hold the 
pieces of metal together, just as the rivet will, and allow you to put 
everything in just the right position before pulling the rivet. Usually 
we have every hole filled with a Cleco before pulling the first rivet. 
That way, nothing can go out of alignment when you pull the rivet.

You can use rivets to do the same job. Here's a tip that may help. if you 
want a rivet to act as a locator, take the stem of the unpulled rivet and 
punch it through a small square of tape. Then place the rivet in the hole 
and use the tape to hold it in place. You can even pull the rivet and 
then remove the tape.



Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr@arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
            -- Wilbur Wright, 1901


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