SonexBuilders.net

When I was building a zenith 601 they (zenith) would modify the head of the rivet puller so the rivot head was convex (Rounded). Has anyone done that with a Sonex?
Thank you,
Darrell

No need to modify for Sonex!
I believe it was done by Zenith builders because the rivet was a different type (countersunk) and needed to be deformed during pulling.

I believe zenith uses aluminum pulled rivets that are formable. Sonex uses stainless steel pulled rivets.

Bill Springs, from Canada explained in the hummelbird plans and videos that you could get a very low profile head with that technique. This was for Avex flush aluminum rivets. I was never tempted and those rivets are not strong enough for the Sonex.

Did some experiments with the Avex aluminum rivets back when Zenith was having the folding (in flight) wing problem. it seems to be inherent in their design that they form a bulge and then pull that back to clamp two parts together. What they do not do is expand their shanks to tightly fill drilled holes. Make a Tee square with these and it will be loose. Make it with Sonex SS Cherry rivets and it will be tight. I do not like the Avex nrivets for structural applications.

However, these same characteristics makes then great for riveting into fiberglass, especially for holding hinges to fiberglass as the hinges are much softer than 6061-T6 and are deformed into the fiberglass by the Sonex SS rivets/

Also did some testing using Sonex Cherry flush rivets and concave puller nose pieces and found it formed them into small domes fairly well. Resulting dome significantly smaller than standard Sonex domed rivets. Something to experiment with someday.

David A.