Hand Rivet Squeezer

[Kitfox Pilot]

I am looking at rivet squeezers and need info from those who have built before.
What reach is needed for the Kitfox build, 1.5, 2.0, 3.0 inches?
What size rivets do the kitfox builds use?
Does one need dimple dies? If so what size?
I know many have borrowed these, but there are none to borrow that I know of around so I plan to buy a good used one as there are several for sale.
Thanks for any info.

[jiott]

I used the one that comes in the Kitfox optional tool kit. It is a relatively inexpensive one but does the job. The reach is not a problem, but get the narrowest nose possible to be able to pull rivets close to other items. I ground down the front side of the Kitfox rivet squeezer to help in these places.

No dimple dies are needed.

[bumsteer]

Kitfox Pilot

Just to be sure, you are talking rivet squeezer and not a puller correct? I bought a 1.5 inch throat squeezer from Wicks for $40 at Oshkosh. They still show them for $46 but are out of stock. You would have to buy the dies also. The 1.5 has worked for everything I have used it on so far. I used solid rivets (have to check on size) as opposed to pop rivets for the flaperon trailing edge. The aluminum is too thin to countersink so I did use a dimple die for that.

Rick

[Kitfox Pilot]

Thank you, I didn't know one came in the tool kit. I do have that coming.

[Kitfox Pilot]

Kitfox Pilot

Just to be sure, you are talking rivet squeezer and not a puller correct?..Rick
Yes a squeezer. Some places I have seen solid rivits used and they look better to me. Thank on heads on on Wicks, I'll take a look.

[efwd]

Honestly, I don't believe I have any rivet heads showing on the exterior of the plane with the exception of the oil door on the engine cowl. It probably gets done with pull rivets per the manual. I don't really know because I used countersunk, solid rivets to attach the hinge to its respective surfaces of the oil door installation. In that case you will need every bit of the three inch squeezer throat in order to reach that center rivet along that strip of hinge. I also had to utilize a countersink drill tool to set the depth of the countersink in the fiberglass to receive the countersunk rivet head. I used adhesive to adhere all the parts together before I smashed the rivets. No working rivet heads at 165hrs on the airframe. Having the tools just adds to the finish but certainly not necessary.

I forgot the Trailing edge of the flappers. Dimple dies came in handy there and solid countersunk rivets used.

[jiott]

To clarify, the tool I was talking about that comes in the Kitfox tool kit is a rivet "puller" not a squeezer for solid rivets. For a squeezer you are on your own (I used vise grip pliers).

[Kitfox Pilot]

Honestly, I don't believe I have any rivet heads showing on the exterior of the plane with the exception of the oil door on the engine cowl...

I have looked at planes where the solid rivets were used and liked the looks better, the trailing edge was one of those spots. Thanks

[Kitfox Pilot]

To clarify, the tool I was talking about that comes in the Kitfox tool kit is a rivet "puller" not a squeezer for solid rivets. For a squeezer you are on your own (I used vise grip pliers).

Thanks for that info.