subject: _:node76e2ee87ea15594fc0ba984d82d369dc
obj: "Zenith Aircraft Co. is making available its\u00A0blind rivets through Aircraft Spruce and Specialty.\nBlind (or pulled) rivets are a common type of fastener used in metal kit aircraft construction. They are available in 1/8\u201D and 5/32\u201D diameters.\nAs the rivet is pulled, the rivet head is drawn into a dome-shaped top, which gives the finished rivet a low profile rounded top, enhancing the strength of the rivet while improving airflow over it.\nThe ease with which these rivets can be pulled, or \u201Cpopped,\u201D saves time and simplifies the entire kit building process. Aeronautical engineer Chris Heintz, designer of the Zenith line of kit planes, first started using structural blind rivets for light aircraft construction in the 1970s when he sought an easier alternative to bucked solid rivets, which require additional tooling and skills.\n\u201CWe\u2019ll be using Zenair rivets during the construction of the One Week Wonder at AirVenture this summer,\u201D said Sebastien Heintz, president of Zenith Aircraft. \u201CVolunteer builders begin unpacking a complete kit for a CH 750 Cruzer on opening day and expect to taxi the completed aircraft within a week. We expect several thousand people to stop by the construction area and pull a blind rivet, so they can say they helped build an aircraft.\u201D\nAircraft Spruce also carries the Zenair Pneumatic Riveter for $99.85 along with the Zenair Manual Riveter for $49.50, both of which feature the required domed head for pulling and forming the rivets. A package of 100 1/8\u201D rivets (part number 12-03709) costs $11.65 and have a shear strength of 130 lbs. The 5/32\u201D rivets (part number 12-03711) are $16.75 with shear strength of 220 lbs.\nFor more information:\u00A0AircraftSpruce.com. Zenith kit builders can purchase the same products directly from the Zenith.\nTo watch a demonstration of pulling Zenair rivets, EAA has made a short video showing the process:\n\u00A0\nClick to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to Press This! (Opens in new window)Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)"@en-us