Blind rivets for flush mount nut plates

[techno-wizard]

Just wondering what blind rivets are typically used to attach dimpled/flush mount nut plates to sheet metal? The issue I'm having is finding blind rivets with the correct countersink angle to match the dimpling on the nut plates. The nut plates are dimpled with a 100 degree countersink angle, but I can only find flush blind rivets that have a 120 degree countersink angle.

Thanks!

[Bryan Cotton]

Keith,
The purpose of the hobby is to collect tools. With that said, I've never found a 3/32" 120 degree dimple set to collect. Where I used the 3/32" flush rivets that came in my hardware kit was only the locations where I could not use a solid AN426-3 rivet. I found they worked well enough and were flush. The only force they have to react is torque on the nutplate. After that the threaded fastener does the work.

If you ever find the unicorn 3/32" 120 degree dimple dies, just use them on your nutplates. I buy undimpled nutplates and dimple them myself if required.

[Area 51%]

I saw that as the perfect opportunity to try my hand at bucking solid AN rivets. All the screw-ups get covered by some sort of panel. .

[techno-wizard]

Keith,

If you ever find the unicorn 3/32" 120 degree dimple dies, just use them on your nutplates. I buy undimpled nutplates and dimple them myself if required.

Hi Bryan,

That's an excellent suggestion. Perhaps I'll give that a try.

[Bryan Cotton]

I saw that as the perfect opportunity to try my hand at bucking solid AN rivets. All the screw-ups get covered by some sort of panel. .

I squeeze them whenever I can. Much less skill required, and much less noise generated.

I took another look for the unicorn tool and failed.

[Area 51%]

I bought a squeezer for the sole purpose of installing the stub-rudder hinge on the first Waiex. I find myself using it (and AD rivets) wherever it will reach.
Question; Do common AD rivets have a shelf life? I understand that there are rivets out there that must be kept refrigerated right up till they are installed or they start to take on a temper at room temperature.
The reason I ask is the rivets I purchased 6 years ago for "Chett" seem to be harder to squeeze than I remember. It also could be that my hands are also 6 years older.

I have that unicorn...but have no idea where it came from. My brain is closely related to my hands. .

[Bryan Cotton]

No shelf life for AD rivets. If you anneal rivets to make them softer and easy to set, they will generally revert back to their original properties. For -3 and -4 rivets there is no point in this. At Schweizer they used to anneal the bigger rivets in batches and keep them in the icebox until use.