SonexBuilders.net

rizzz (Michael, Sonex 145) actually gave us this tip. This antique rivet gun is awesomely narrow, you need to go to ebay and buy one. I paid $10 plus $6 shipping. The spring was a little weak, it would pull aluminum mandrel rivets but not SS. I took the spring out, re-bent it a little, and it is good.

You can see where I used it for the aileron counterbalances here:
viewtopic.php?f=43&t=2300&start=10

I have a similar rivet gun (right down to the blue plastic grips) which I used extensively building my Sonex. It was made by Maun Industries, England with part number 5012 230. It is only 12mm wide at the head and is capable of pulling SS rivets. I bought it around 40 years ago, which I guess does kind of make both of us antiques.

Peter Anson
Sonex 894

It is a great little tool to have and luckily there are still many available on Ebay.
Mine worked fine with SS and Alum rivets as it came but I must admit, near the end of my project I had to sometimes 'cycle' (open/close) the tool a few times before it would grab onto the rivet mandrel properly, once it did it was fine.
Given you can only buy these second hand I guess it depends on what the history of the tool is, but at roughly $10/piece you won't loose much if you buy a dud and have to get another one. :D
Given these were originally produced by a company called "SHOE MACHINERY CORP", I guess they were not intended for aircraft building use :)

rizzz wrote:Given these were originally produced by a company called "SHOE MACHINERY CORP", I guess they were not intended for aircraft building use :)

For what it's worth: I think United Shoe Machinery Corp used to own the Pop Rivet brand as well as Parker Kalon a maker of higher quality bolts, tool might come from there.

David A.

Makes sense, shoes and aircraft serve the same industry. .. transportation. ... ?

If it doesn't catch, then do everything above but leave the mixture at idle cutoff until it fires up; at that point you can then push the mixture in.


gclub

Where is the mixture control on an antique PGR410 pop rivet gun?
Just kidding, I think you responded to the wrong thread. Welcome to the forums!