Not every aircraft requires solid shank rivets for holding its parts together. However, that is usually the exception as even most pop riveted aircraft designs use solid rivets in high stress areas (like the wing spars, for example).
Many of the high performance homebuilt aircraft designs (like most of the Vans Aircraft models) use solid rivets almost exclusively due to their robust structural qualities.
This week's Tip video demonstrates the tools and techniques used by builders to "set" solid rivets for construction of their homebuilt aircraft. While an 8 minute video clip cannot transfer the skills needed to start building with rivets, this overview can set the expectations of the required tools and effort that is needed to work with these fasteners. This Tip video is just the first of a series to highlight the art and skills of solid rivet setting.
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