Our guarantee

We guarantee each of the tools in this kit will work equal or better than our RV Tool Kit competitors.  If not we will give you a refund for the tool.

RIVET GUNS

STANDARD RIVET GUN (2X, 3X and 4X) – The standard rivet gun we use is a high-quality import. This gun is identical to the Taylor Rivet Gun that our competitors sell.  When we receive our shipments we carefully test each rivet gun to make sure it performs to our high expectations – the same as if we were going to use the gun in our own shop. Just before we package a rivet gun for a kit or individual shipment we test it to make sure the feathering trigger performs properly, it has the correct power, correct blows per minute (BPM), and that it is properly lubricated. We warranty this rivet gun for life. If you have a problem with it just let us know and we will take care of it.

SIOUX RIVET GUN (3X) – The Sioux Rivet Gun is available on request as an option in our RV Tool Kit. The Sioux rivet gun looks great and carries a fine brand name. It is a good rivet gun but it is questionable whether it performs better than our standard rivet gun.  We have had several returns on Sioux rivet guns because of air leaking continuously, even after Sioux factory authorized repairs. If you want the Sioux name we have it available for you.

STUBBY OY RIVET GUN – This is a specialty rivet gun designed for tight places. The length of the gun is about 4-inches. The OY uses special rivet sets that have a much shorter .401 shank than a standard rivet gun. You must use these special rivet sets in the OY gun.

SELECTING THE RIGHT RIVET GUN – The main point for selection is ease of use for your particular project. The different sizes are made for different size rivets. The 2X hits lighter and very fast. This is because the barrel is short. The faster a rivet gun hits the harder it is to control when riveting. We do not recommend a 2X for RV builder’s as they are too hard to control and there is a greater risk of slipping off the head of the rivet and damaging parts. The 4X hits slow, hard and is the easiest to control. It is possible to set rivets as small as 3/32 with the 4X but only takes 3 or 4 blows. The 3X is much slower than the 2X yet provides a lot of power for larger rivets, up to 3/16” diameter. The 3X also does a great job on 3/32 rivets. We recommend the 3X for RV builders and for anyone just getting into riveting. For professional sheet metal mechanics we recommend the 4X. For specialty applications we recommend the OY or 2X as needed.

Rivet Gun Selection by Rivet Size:

2X 2,580 BPM - 3/32 - 5/32 Al Rivets

3X 2,160 BPM - 3/32 - 3/16 Al Rivets

4X 1,740 BPM - 1/8 - 1/4 Al Rivets

DRILLS – Our standard kit drill is a high-quality 2700 RPM import palm drill. This is the same drill as the Taylor palm drill. It does a very nice job and has a trigger that allows control of the drilling speed. As an option we offer the SIOUX 3600 RPM palm drill. About 20% of our tool kit customers purchase the SIOUX drill option. The SIOUX drill is a very impressive drill. The quality is extremely nice, it is very quiet and the trigger allows control of the drilling speed. The 3600 RPM speed drills aluminum faster than the 2600 RPM. The SIOUX drill is a very nice option. If you purchase our standard 2600 RPM palm drill and are not happy with it we will gladly allow you to exchange and upgrade to the SIOUX drill for only the option price.

SWIVEL – We highly recommend using swivels on air tools. The main purpose of the swivel is to give the operator some freedom from the air hose. When a swivel is not used it is difficult to maneuver the air tool around because the air hose is sticking straight out of the handle. The swivel also allows the tools use in tighter areas.

AIR FLOW VALVE – The air flow valve controls the volume of air to the tool. It does not “regulate” the air pressure. The valve can be used to quickly slow the flow for a rivet gun or drill if a desired slower operation is needed. Normally air tools are controlled with the trigger so the flow valve is not really necessary but may come in handy for certain instances.

RIVET SETS – We use Snap-On Ind straight, offset and double offset rivet sets. These are more expensive than other sets available but the quality is worth the additional cost. The sets incorporate the ultimate in proper distribution of mass, together with the correct grain structure. These are forged from high grade shock resistant tool steel and heat treated to the proper procedure. These factors eliminate breakage and provide a structurally sound driven rivet. The Snap-On sets have a “perfect” shaped end to fit the rivet head exactly. The tips are highly polished and are heat treated. These sets prevent damage to the head of the rivet – which is the most noticeable part of your finished airplane project. We use the Snap-On rivet sets for the same reason that the major heavy aircraft manufacturers use them. They are simply the best.

BUCKING BARS – Snap-On Ind bucking bars are engineered to insure maximum strength and performance under the most severe conditions. These bucking bars are cast of nonporous, high grade tool steel; heat treated to Rockwell 38-42 and can be reworked many times without additional heat treating.

COUNTERSINK CAGES – We use high-quality U.S.A. made countersink cages. Our competitors use import cages. Our countersink cages are designed for continuous industrial high-speed operation without overheating. These unit have an enclosed ball thrust bearing and a bronze radial bearing to permit heavy use and provide chatter free cutting. Adjustable in .0005” increments.

COUNTERSINK CUTTERS/PILOT CUTTERS – Snap-On Ind high-speed steel countersink cutters are ground to precise specifications with a ¼-28 male threaded shank and 100-degree included angle for chip rejection without damaging the part. These are the same cutters used by the major aerospace heavy-jet manufacturers and will last more than the life of your project.

AVIATION SNIPS – Klein Tools is our provider of  the highest quality aviation tin snips. The Klein Tools aviation snips feature:
• Forged and heat treated steel blades for strength and durability.
• Cuts up to 18 gauge cold-rolled sheet metal and 22 gauge stainless steel sheet metal.
• Spring-loaded for self-opening action.
• Latch keeps jaws closed when not in use.
• Heavy gauge handles for extra strength.
• Contoured plastic handles are comfortable and color-coded by cutting pattern.
Our Klein offset blade models keep the user's hand above material being cut and flow material away from the blades. Klein makes the very best aviation snips available.

CLECOS – Our clecos are made by in the U.S.A. by California Associated Products and Zephyr Tools. These are the very best spring type clecos you can buy. If you do not see “USA” or the name brand stamped in your clecos they are most likely imports. Import clecos have a lot of problems with consistency in the prongs that hold the parts together. U.S.A. manufactured clecos are consistent and will provide the strongest compression grip on the parts being held together.

CLECO PLIERS – Our cleco pliers are high-quality imports. We use these import cleco pliers because they are the best.

SWIVEL HEAD POP RIVETER – We use a high-quality import made by Stanley. This tool is their professional heavy-duty model and we have found that it outperforms other U.S.A. made and import models. This tool features a full 360-degree swivel capability and is made from heavy die cast aluminum with hardened steel components. The unit is very ergo friendly and has four nose pieces for 3/32, 1/8, 5/32 and 3/16-inch rivets. This tool works the best for dimpling with our pop rivet dimple dies because it is dependable for release of the stem. Other pullers we have tried tend to lock up without releasing the stem which is a major problem when using pop rivet dimple dies.

TATCO® HAND SQUEEZER – The U.S.A. made TATCO® is the #1 rated hand squeezer! The TATCO® is easy to maneuver in tight spots and can be operated with one hand. A competitor offers a really nice light weight hand squeezer that requires a lower handle force than the TATCO® to squeeze a rivet. Their tool has a thicker body and has a much longer handle throw. Because of this it will not get into the tight areas as easy and cannot be used with one hand like the TATCO®. The TATCO does have a special yoke that is not compatible with pneumatic squeezer yokes. We provide the 3-inch C-Yoke with the TATCO® because this yoke provides the most versatility for RV projects. Our philosophy is this – why use a hand squeezer when you can get a pneumatic squeezer with our kit. Also, if you run into a spot that absolutely requires a hand squeezer we will be glad to send you one on loan so you do not need to invest the additional money to squeeze a couple of rivets.

PNEUMATIC SQUEEZER – Most of our RV customers get the pneumatic squeezer with a 3-inch C-Yoke and do not get a hand squeezer. We provide the best high-quality U.S.A. made squeezer with a 3" C-Yoke (most common yoke requested by RV builders).

SQUEEZER SETS – We exclusively use Snap-On Ind squeezer sets because of the high industrial quality. These sets are engineered for use with both portable and stationary squeezers and are made to precise specifications. These are the same sets that the major aerospace companies use for manufacturing in the heavy-jet industry.

SPRINGBACK DIMPLE DIES – We use the highest quality and very best spring back dimple dies available. Our spring back dimple dies keep skins from deforming so the dimpled area stays very flat after dimpling. These dies have built thousands of RV airplanes and many of the award winning RV’s. You may hear stories on spring back dimple die development but the fact is that these dies were developed by the Aluminum Company of America for the U.S. National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in August of 1942. The concept of these dies is very simple – and difficult to improve upon over the controlled testing environment used when they were first developed. As long as the dies are machined properly with the correct angles they will produce the spring back action on the skin. The main difference in using the different spring back dimple dies is the set up and process in which they are used. All of them require set up and a little practice to produce the perfect dimple. Features of our spring back dies include:
• Money back guarantee that these dies will work better than any others
• Spring back angles cut into the male and female die faces
• CNC precision machined from stainless steel and properly heat treated
• Highly polished mar free dimpling surfaces

FLUTING PLIERS – The fluting pliers we provide produce absolutely the best flute over any other products. Our pliers use replaceable nylon jaws that are shaped properly for the flute.  We provide pliers for curved and deep “V” flutes that will produce the very best mar-free flutes in the general aviation or commercial aviation production industry.

DRDT-2 DIMPLING TOOLS – The DRDT-2 is the preferred choice of builders. Some would argue that the DRDT-2 will not rivet. This is true, but also irrelevant. There is no need to rivet with a C-Frame. The only function a C-Frame would do in the riveting process would be to hold the rivet set straight up and down during back-riveting. This can be done by hand holding the rivet gun for back-riveting and is a much easier and faster process for the builder. There is absolutely no need for a C-Frame other than dimpling. The DRDT-2 does a much better job by making consistent and professional dimples.

POP RIVET SPRING BACK DIMPLE DIES – We manufacture our own CNC machined stainless steel pop rivet spring back dimple dies and use high-strength stainless steel nails for stems. These dies are used for dimpling in tight areas where standard dimple dies will not fit. These dies are guaranteed to work better than any others or we will gladly refund your money.

HAND SEAMER – The Klein Tools hand seamer is superior to any other product. This seamer includes markings to allow consistent depth for each bend.  This is available in both straight and offset configurations.

TECHNICAL MANUAL -- Our RV Tool Kit includes a technical support manual to cover the usage of each tool, tips to avoid problem areas, tables and guidelines for the RV builder.

OTHER TOOLS – We have many other tools in our RV Tool Kit.  If you have any questions on any of our tools please email us and we will answer your questions.

Isham Inc. 2006