Having the right tools is obviously a necessity for projects like this but I was still amazed at how easy it really was to put this together. Reading all the other forums, that obviously just a result of an easy starter kit plus the quality from Vans.
Having said that, I still had a couple of issues but mainly due to the first time I've set a rivet and used all these awesome tools. I think this was my first dodgy rivet.
As this was 2 years ago, it looks as though it was just not squeezed enough.
Lining up and match drilling the aluminium strip...
Lining up and match drilling the lid piano hinge. Again - the right tool for the job make life easy. This would be very awkward without the 12" drill bit.
Just checking to see if everything fits...
Match drilling the top section of the piano hinge to the lid...
Lid dimpled using the squeezer...
Just thought I'd post a close-up of a couple of dimples. I love how these tools mould the aluminium to shape.
Before riveting...
and after...
If all the rivets on the plane turn out like the ones above, I'll be very happy. Something tells me that's wishful thinking though.
This one was squashed a little too much.
Better...
These little suckers are for the front stiffener.
One end done. The dimpled rivets are nice and flush
The row of AN470 rivets look good. A symmetric industrial look. I like.
