The Murphy Builders Site

How close to the edge of a rib or skin is a rivet allowed to be? The manual has a blerb about solid rivets being 2 1/2 times rivet width away but factory punched holes are not that far from skin edges(once drilled) so I'm guessing 2 1/2 d is not the case? I mainly ask because I have a lot of holes drilled that are even closer to the edges of components.

Dave,
There is a rule of thumb with sheet metal structures. Minimum edge distace is 2X the rivet diamenter. If you use 2 1/2X, it allows you to go to the next size up and still have good edge distance. I say rule of thumb because of course if you go to much thicker material you can use even less edge distance.

Edge distance is always measured from the center of the rivet /hole.

Cheers, Nigel

Oh no, I may need some parts then, I have many rivets that are half that distance.
Cool, thanks

Dave - it sounds like the kit you found may have lots of
"builder created" parts .... Be careful - maybe you can arrange
to visit another builder, to see what things should look like.
There are lots in Ontario ... Maybe you can come to
a Builders Meeting ...

I strongly advise builders to set up an early,
"sub-assembly" inspection with MD-RA. It can take
MONTHS to process, and it can save you ending up
with a "lawn ornament" !!

Yes, it's a few more $$$, BUT - you will get to
meet YOUR inspector, schedule appointments with
him, and establish a working relationship. You MIGHT
be using some technique that HE does not approve of ...
If you wait until the whole Rebel is done, to save a bit of
money on the inspection, you might risk the WHOLE REBEL
being REJECTED !! :-(

When he looks at the tail feathers, he can make
suggestions on better ways to do things, so you can avoid
later disappointment !

(Worst case, if you realllllly have a 'personality conflict'
with your inspector, you can request a different one ... )

Sound advice, thanks bob