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How have you guys dimpled skins for smaller 3/32" flush rivets? The plans call for SSC-32's to attach the nutplates to the wing skin where the pitot tube mounting plate installs, for example... Can you dimple them with the Sonex simple dimple die? That's the only dimpling tool I have, and I'd rather not have to go buy anything special just for these few rivets!

Can you just use a smaller nail in the same dimple die? Maybe I'm over thinking this.......

I would imagine the dimple will be much to large using the simple dimple die. The nail would have to be really small and wouldn't center the die well either. I use with a 3/32 solid rivet, or remove the mandrel from a pop rivet and use that as the dimpling die with a rivet squeezer and small piece of 1/8" or thicker aluminum with a hole for the rivet as the back plate.

There are 3/32" dimple dies. Don't use the 1/8" ones of any flavor. As far as I can tell, the 3/32" pops are the same shape as the solids, unlike the 1/8" ones. I am a big fan of solid rivets for nutplates.

Oh yeah you guys are right, I guess the dimple from the 1/8" simpler would be way too big!

I guess I could buy a hand squeezer and dimple die set like this
http://www.yardstore.com/catalog/produc ... gory/2242/

And this
http://www.yardstore.com/squeezes/dimpl ... emale.html

I was hoping I could figure out a way to do it with the tools I already have, but I'm not coming up with many good ideas!

If you are only going to do a few, the rivet itself can be used as the male die. You won't need a female die, just 1/8 thick aluminum with a hole for the rivet will work. This works fine if you only plan to do a few and don't feel like buying the dies.

Ohhh I see what you mean now. Thanks for the tip, I'll test it tomorrow!

You can do that, but I think it is money well spent to buy the tools.
http://m.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/top ... cfer=25370
Or borrow them. Any guys in your local chapter have them?

One of the main purposes of the hobby is to buy tools.

Bryan Cotton wrote:You can do that, but I think it is money well spent to buy the tools.
http://m.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/top ... cfer=25370
Or borrow them. Any guys in your local chapter have them?

One of the main purposes of the hobby is to buy tools.

And to develop the interpersonal skills to convince the wife of the tool's necessity.


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Those rivets are so small I just used my deburring bit and countersunk them.


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dgehring, welcome to the forums!
Typically .032 is the minimum thickness you should countersink for 3/32" rivets. It is thicker for 1/8" rivets, and probably more so for our 125 degree Avex rivets. One reference:
http://www.vansairforce.com/community/a ... -2322.html