Why so many rivets?

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...
Ron Wanttaja wrote:
On Tue, 28 Dec 2004 20:26:00 -0600, "Brian Sponcil"

wrote:


I'm currently considering embarking on an RV project and after checking
out
a few in our local EAA chapter I ran across a seemingly curious fact. I
recall the builders telling me that their RV kits have around 10,000
rivets.
Compared to a Piper Comanche at 3,714 and a Warrior at 1,785 that's a heck
of a lot of rivets.

So the question is, why so many???

SNIP

I agree with Ron's guesses (not sure about #6 though), and will add a
7th possibility. It may be that the larger companies use more machine
formed sections (stamped, hydroformed, etc.) that can be larger and thus
have fewer seams to be riveted.

Matt
====================
Regardless of the number of rivets, the actual riveting process is not all
that time consuming. Yes, you do have to clean 10,000 holes (at least
double, for the mating parts) and debur them, and even countersink/dimple a
lot of those holes, but you develop a rhythm that goes by rather quickly. I
found that the actual setting of rivets, once the prep is finished, is so
quick that it is almost anti-climactic.

So, if the original poster was concerned about the sheer number of rivets;
i.e., the level of effort, then I recommend that he not be concerned about
that. The systems work will consume the most time as well as looking at the
plans, figuring out the steps, etc. The learning part is the most fun, for
me.

Michael Pilla