RIVETS

To All:

I buy most of my rivets (and sheetmetal too) as new-surplus from a
variety of outlets here in southern California.

Recently, rivets seem to be more available than previously; good news
when you can pick up AN470-AD4-7's for a dollar a pound.

In at least one case the rivets were declared surplus after the
subcontractor installed stir-welding equipment, allowing them to bid on
contracts for components which specify that type of fabrication.

One instance isn't enough to indicate a general trend and I'm sure
rivets will always be with us, but as prime contractors specify other
forms of component fabriction it could mean the end of low-cost
new-surplus rivets for homebuilders.

In prowling the aerospace outlets, if you see any A, B, or AD rivets in
diameters most suitable for lightplanes (typically 3/16 or smaller) I
suggest you buy some. Even if you aren't scratch-building an aluminum
airplane, someone in your Chapter is. Or will be.

-R.S.Hoover