Scott's RV-14 Build

Rudder Counterweight and Main Spar Riveted

Today was a huge day in the shop. Over 11 hours in 2 separate stretches. I got the lead counterweight installed after trimming it IAW the plans to clear some rivet shop heads. Then using the rivet gun I got the rivets in the skins surrounding the weight support rib. Although I still view every rivet driven with the rivet gun with some trepidation my technique, confidence, speed and rivet quality are improving. There's just so many ways to screw up a rivet when you're both driving and bucking at the same time. I'm running the rivet gun at 45 psi and have found that, after getting the bucking bar situated on the rivet tail and the rivet gun on the factory head that lightly tickling the trigger will initially set the rivet to prevent a proud factory head. Then 2-3 more light bursts will set the rivet and give the shop head needed. I spent a great deal of time today methodically working my way down each side of the main rudder spar using both the rivet gun and squeezer. Only had one bad rivet which was easily removed and replaced. I'm slowly running out of things to do on the rudder which is good because I'm tired of working on it! All that's left is installing the top rib, riveting the trailing edge and rolling the leading edges together. All big tasks individually. Was disappointed to get an odd email from Amazon tonight saying there had been a problem with shipping and my bucking bar order had been cancelled and returned and I'd be refunded. It was pretty vague and didn't say what the problem was or why it was returned vs re-shipped to me. I still need it and the vendor is still offering it so I re-ordered it. Hopefully it'll get here Friday. I can complete the other remaining tasks without it.

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