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Comment by Robert Pelland on January 11, 2012 at 7:27am

Scott, Tim,

There were three major factors that effected my decision, and they were in order, strength, durability, and pricing.

The AN470AD 5-6 have a tensile strength of 26,000, PSI followed by a shear strength of 38,000 PSI.

These numbers are more then three times higher then the published figures for the non structural Avex counter sunk blind rivets.

As for durability we all know that the 701 & 750 are movers and shakers, so I experimented with the rivet removal process, to see what each would endure as far as vibration goes. Try this simple exercise, and see for yourself. Pop an avex 5/32 A5 rivet along with a solid rivet next to it in a piece of scrap aluminum. Then take your drill, and with a sharp # 20 bit, drill the head of the Avex rivet slowly, and count how few turns it actually take to pop ( maybe that's why they are called pop ) the head off the Avex rivet. Then try and do the same for the solid rivet, and you most certainly will be in for a rude awakening

Then as far as pricing goes, for all intents and purposes, it becomes a no brainer. The following, are the published prices in the latest ACS catalog

Avex 1504 5/32 counter sunk rivets = 64$ per /1000 rivets

AN470AD 5-6 Dome head rivets 4.06$ per ( 1/4 lbs.= 802 rivets ) so if my math is correct, for the same amount of money ( 64$ ) you spent on the Avex rivets, you could actually purchase approximately 12,800 solid rivets.

Lastly I did not take into account the fact that solid rivets have become the standard construction practice everywhere in today's aviation. The planes eventual resale value, or the fact that they look a h*ll of a lot better on my aircraft. Next, I will be experimenting with solid flush rivets for the top wing and leading edge area.

However in closing, I do understand the reasoning behind Mr. Heinz's decision to go with the pop type rivets, for all his aircraft, since it does attract a lot more builders by being easy to install. With all due respect, my guess is that were they ( Zenith ) were to use solid rivets in all of their building forums, there would probably be a lot less interest in homebuilding.

Comment by Scott Sutton on January 11, 2012 at 3:55am
Not so fast Tim, you did a great job shooting solid rivets when I was over.

Robert, what was your reasoning for solid rivets? When I build I am thinking to do the same thing.
Comment by Tim Smart on January 11, 2012 at 2:22am
Robert, nice work, it looks better than pop rivets (and probably stronger). After my practicing getting ready for the spars I think I'll stick to pop rivets. I admire your ethic though.
Comment by Robert Pelland on January 9, 2012 at 9:53pm

This evening I started to install the floor reinforcements for my 701.  During the build,I have decided to use solid AN rivets everywhere I can, rather then the poop type rivets that are recommended on the plans. After having gone through the tedious learning process, I must admit that I now have a much greater respect, not to mention appreaciation, for those of you who choose to build your aircraft using solid rivets

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