Flat Squeezer Sets (SKU: SSF1)

I recently used the RV-14 Elevator Trailing Edge set with my pneumatic squeezer on my elevators. It made what I had built up in my mind as a dreadful task quite doable and almost a no-sweat non-event. Thank you, Mike!

I have been using Mike’s rivet squeezer, C-Frame and other assorted tools for the past 10 months on my RV-10 build. Quality of these tools is outstanding - I am using them 20 hours a week and quality shows quickly. The flat squeezer set is a very simple tool, but story is the same here: top-quality, shipped quickly and priced in line with what you get. And Annette quickly takes care of problems if you have any. Always glad to send business their way.

The Main Squeeze rivet squeezer is a superior tool and the dies and squeezer sets Cleaveland sells are the very best. Normally I wouldn't bother reviewing a single flat squeezer set but Cleaveland Aircraft Tool is the finest company I've ever done business with. If this review helps them out, I'm glad to get the chance to repay all the ways they've helped me out. They are a superior company selling superior products and giving superior customer service.

This tool works great when used in conjunction with standard riveting practices. I was able to lay down a perfectly straight trailing edge on an RV-14 kit by using these tapered sets in conjunction with the flush sets.

My technique:

Reading Van's aircraft section 5.8 on trailing edge riveting, first partially set the rivet perpendicular to the rivet's manufactured head. This is critical. I used the main squeeze, flat rivet sets, and by squeezing perpendicular to the manufactured head (the flat set is holding the manufactured head perfectly flush with the trailing edge skin) I squeezed the shop end of the rivet until the shop head set was almost in contact with the trailing edge skins. This is sufficient to lock the rivet in place. Use the Van's recommended riveting pattern working from the middle out in steps.

At this point, the trailing edge is set, and all the tapered sets do is flush the shop head to the trailing edge skin. Adjust the tapered sets in the main squeeze to just contact perpendicular to both skins of the trailing edge. It will flush the shop head with the trailing edge skin quite nicely. I wish I could post a picture, but I am impressed quite satisfied with the quality of the edge.

Also critical to this technique is the Cleaveland main squeeze. The low squeezing effort actually allowed me to squeeze the rivet one handed while holding the yoke in the proper position. I have a post on a popular Van's builder site detailing the procedure.

The tool will put down a decent looking rivet, however I believe because it is heads are angled to match the trailing edge, the rivet is not drive correctly and the trailing edge actually opens up a gap. Remember if you drive the rivet in with the gun you are supposed to start perpendicular to the work bench then angle as the rivet is driven. This tool gives you the angle so you never start with the rivet driven perpendicular to the bench. Not certain that is the cause but all I know is after 10 rivets I scrapped the tool and went back to backriveting them. Got it to close the trailing edge gap back to where it was prior to riveting.