Scott's RV-14 Build

Elevator Horn And Rear Spar Ribs

A short but productive day. Got the right elevator horn riveted on and the internal ribs and end shear clips secured to the rear spar. It all went quick and smooth. Rivet accessibility was excellent on both sides with the squeezer and it was easy to clamp the parts in an attitude that made using the squeezer easy. Wish it was always that way! Reading ahead there's some challenging riveting ahead when the skins are in place. I have the extra long "special bucking bar" that the plans designate for those rivets along the rear spar. Van's gives you the option of using MK-319-BS pulled rivets in those locations. I used that type of rivet to close the end finishing tabs on the trim tab. They give a nice, clean, flush appearance, although the visible factory head is different from the standard AN426 flush rivet. I'm trying to decide what direction I want to go. Will it bug me that much if those particular line of rivets look slightly "different" then the majority AN426 rivets? I'm sure the purists would forge ahead bucking them. Being a realist and seeing what's involved, its going to be nearly impossible to buck those alone. You need 2 hands on the bucking bar. The potential for mistakes is huge along with the time and aggravation of removing the bad rivets and making it worse. And it will take time. And honestly, I'd rather be flying then building. Or, I can quickly and easily install the pulled rivets alone and live with the minor visual difference. I'll search the VAF Forums for opinions. I ordered 100 more MK-319-BS rivets from Van's today to be prepared.

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