Poor man's nutplate drill jig

[Bryan Cotton]

I am a big fan of real nutplate tools. I have one for mini nutplates. If you don't have a real jig, or are too cheap to buy one, here is an idea.

I took a #8 screw, and hacked off the head. I shortened the threads so I would not have to screw too far into the nutplate, just far enough that you get a little locking action. I ground flats on the shank so I could screw it in until it bottomed:


On your part, don't drill to clearance size yet. Drill to a nice slip fit. Then put your "tool" in, drill the first hole and cleco, then drill the second hole.

[Sonex1517]

You should submit this to EAA for their magazine! Great tip.


Robbie Culver
Sonex 1517
Chicagoland
Tails and Wings complete - finishing fuselage.
N1517S reserved

[Bryan Cotton]

Ok, just did. I have been encouraged enough times that I figured I would try it. Maybe I'll get that hat!

[Bryan Cotton]

I still have and use this tool.

One note though - over time the rivet holes in the nutplate elongate. I recommend using the nutplate to drill a few holes then rivet it in and get a new nutplate to use for drilling.

[Rynoth]

Good tip, took me a few reads to wrap my head around your method. I used black (5/32) clecoes to center my nutplates for drilling if I recall correctly.

[GordonTurner]

What are you using to set the little rivets? I have a bag of tiny countersunk solid rivets. I am having marginal success squeezing them with vice grips, but would like to find a better way. I don’t have a river gun and bucking bar. Yet.

Gordon

[Bryan Cotton]

Gordon,
I have a hand rivet squeezer with flush sets. I would think vise grips would do a poor job.