Re: [VACList] Rivets re:bucked tail diameter, etc

[Charlie or Betty Burke <cbburke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The outside rivets have always been buck style rivets applied before the 
interior skin is applied. Check out airstream.com and their factory tour 
to see how the are made. The techniques are not significantly different. 
Inside rivets are typically 1/8" pop rivets.
A correctly installedl buck rivet will have a smooth domed appearence. A 
pop rivet will have a small hole in the center of the head. An Olympic 
or shaved head rivet should have a domed profile often with a swirled or 
spiral pattern on the head. You may be able to detech the rivet stem in 
the center of the head but it should be tight. It is not uncommon for a 
shaved head rivet to loose it's stem. This usually occurs when the rivet 
is not set properly and is not noticed by the installer. The normal 
practise is to replace these rivets as they are not water proof nor do 
they have a good grip.

Charlie