[VAC] Clekos, punches and Aluminum Repair Methods

[Bob Patterson <bpatt@xxxxxxxx>]

Joy,

What I do when attaching sheet metal to my Airstream is to pre-punch the 
rivet hole in the patch panel. The punch I use has an adjustable fence to 
keep the holes evenly spaced from the edge of the patch. You still have to 
layout the rivet spacing between rivets.  It's best to be fussy with this 
spacing. If your not, the patch will look crummy. Pros use a special 
proportional spacing tool from the aircraft industry to do this.  I just 
start out with two holes opposite each other then just keep halfing the 
distances between then till I get the desired number of holes.

The reason to pre punch the holes is to keep burrs from forming between the 
patch and the Airstream body. If the burr forms when you are drilling and 
riveting as you go, the burr will jack the patch away from the body. I also 
coat the patch and each rivet with Vulcum to insure a watertight seam.

Here's where I got my punch:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=44060

Bob Patterson