Zenith Aircraft Builders and Flyers
Online Community of Zenith Builders and Flyers
Rivet gun
I just unpacked my rivet gun that came with the tool kit and I'm not as happy with it as with the one we used at the Rudder Workshop. For one thing, I don't get the "satisfying pop" that I got with the other gun when it fired? The one they gave me is an ATD 5830. Has anyone used theirs yet? If so, the documentation was poor, with only basic info. My questions: How often to you lube the gun? What does the plastic cap that screws on the back do? What setting are you using for the "fine adjustment valve?" What oil are you using to lube the gun?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Thomas Richardson on
-
I am assuming you meant cup instead of cap? if cup , this collects the pins from the rivet after you pull them. I have never lubed mine, and the adjustment is a personal thing. If too hard then you will have a tendency to leave a little ring around the edge of the rivet (on the skin). It is worth it to practice on scrap and you will develop a feel for pulling the gun away from the work at the same time you are pulling the rivet, setting the rivet really well and not marring the skins, bear in mind it is just a slight pull, not a pronounced jerk. I am just about finish with my project and the rivet gun supplied in the tools kit has served me really well. I did go in with a liitle rubber polishing tip for the dremel tool and smoothed the inside of the cups as the milling they did leaves little ridges on the rivet heads. Have fun!
-
Permalink Reply by Dr. Edward L. Olds III on
-
Tom,
Thanks for your response. Was your gun the old gray style or the new red one?
Ed
-
-
2 year old green one.
-
Permalink Reply by Glenn Andressen on
-
I'm not very happy with mine either. The paperwork says to set it to no more than 32 PSI for 1/8" rivets and the bloody thing just wouldn't pull rivets at that. Increase the pressure a bit and bang, ring around the rivet and a dent in the sheet.
However, someone advised on the Matronics list that if you unscrew the tip a little, it helps the grip on the rivet stem, apparently by changing where the jaws grip the rivet. Anyway that seems to be working for now, but I'm not too optimistic about it.
Glenn.
-
-
Glenn,
Have you called Zenith? If so, any answer? I set mine at 90 PSI because it says that on the box and in the directions. I'll put a picture up on the site.
Ed
-
-
Hi Ed,
No, haven't spoken to Zenith on this issue, but it is interesting that you set yours to 90 PSI and others here are saying 45 PSI and higher. Why then do my instructions say maximum 32 PSI?
Might slip ZAC an email.
Glenn.
-
Permalink Reply by Bennett Scheuer on
-
Just to confuse the issue a little further: the "instructions" I received with the gun from Zenith, did not match the gun they sent me. As you point out, the instructions suggest 32psi for A4 rivets and i think (don't have it in front of me) 52psi for A5. This of course means little to nothing in my case, as the picture on the instructions is not the gun i was sent. Further, there are no markings of any kind on the gun to suggest who made it or where it came from. It looks just like the Harbor Freight gun, but is red... who knows. Seems to work okay at 85-90 psi but will experiment with lower. I did receive the "fine adjustment valve/regulator" which is not a part of the gun, but meant to be attached at the hose connection ... haven't used it. Would be nice to get some manufacturers instructions
-
-
Bennett,
Please see my response to Glenn concerning my call to Zenith today. I can't really see where the fine adjustment valve/regulator is really needed for my machine, since my compressor has a regulator. I think I'll try it without, just to lessen the restriction on the air flow. I can always go back. I will try this on scrap. One of the guys at Zenith told me I was "over thinking" this and he's probably right.
Ed
-
-
Glenn,
Before I read your posting, I called Roger at Zenith today and asked him. He said to try the lower settings and work up to where it was pulling the way you wanted it to work. He said the higher settings could cause the gun to mar the aluminum.
Ed
-
-
Thanks for this Ed. What he suggests is exactly what I have been experimenting with on some scrap and it seems to work okay at around 45-50 PSI.
It's not so easy for me to call Zenith from here in Australia, because it's about six in the morning when it's the end of the day over there, so I usually email them. They do sometimes take a couple of weeks to answer though!
Thanks for your help :-)
-
-
Glenn,
Feel free to e-mail me and I'll call Zenith for you from here. Then I'll e-mail you back and it should be faster than a couple of weeks. Only cost will be an Australian beer if I ever get there.
Ed
-
-
Thanks a lot Ed, that's very good of you. I hope you do make it here one day and that beer will be waiting.
Glenn.
New from Zenith:
Classified listing for buying or selling your Zenith building or flying related stuff...
Custom Instrument Panels
for your Zenith:
Custom instrument panels are now available directly from Zenith Aircraft Company exclusively for Zenith builders and owners. Pre-cut panel, Dynon and Garmin avionics, and more.
Zenith Homecoming Tee:
Flying On Your Own Wings:
A Complete Guide to Understanding Light Airplane Design, by Chris Heintz
Builder & Pilot Supplies:
Pro Builder Assistance:
Transition training:
Aircraft Spruce & Specialty for all your building and pilot supplies!
How to videos from HomebuiltHELP.com
Developed specifically for Zenith builders (by a builder) these videos on DVD are a great help in building your own kit plane by providing practical hands-on construction information. Visit HomebuiltHelp.com for the latest DVD titles.
© 2024 Created by Zenith.Aero.
Powered by
