Riveting, Pipes and Hoses, Springs, Bearings, Transmissions and Control Cables
Fastening, plumbing and mechanical transmission
Riveting: know solid rivet types (universal MS20470, countersunk MS20426, brazier), materials and heat treatment (2024 icebox rivets are kept cold and used within their out-of-refrigerator life), hole size and deburring, edge distance (minimum two diameters), pitch and shop-head formation. The classic rule: rivet length = grip length + 1.5 × diameter for a protruding head, giving a shop head about 1.5D wide and 0.5D high. Blind rivets only where approved.
Pipes and hoses: rigid tube flares are 37 degrees, not the automotive 45; know flareless fittings, torque values, and that hoses carry a manufacture date, shelf life and service life. Check for chafing, bulging, cracking and correct clamp type. Springs are rated by rate (N/mm) and must not be stretched, cut or heated; check free length and squareness. Bearings (plain, ball, roller, needle, thrust) require correct fit, clearance, preload and puller use.
Transmissions: gears, backlash, belts, chains, splines and universal joints need alignment, lubrication and end-float checks. Control cables: 7×7 and 7×19 construction, swaged or nicopress terminals, turnbuckles with check holes and locking, pulley alignment and tension set at a reference temperature. Cable failure is by broken wires, corrosion and fairlead wear.
Traps: applying a 45 degree flare to a 37 degree fitting, ignoring hose shelf life, re-using a swaged terminal or a damaged turnbuckle, and rigging cables at the wrong temperature.
Worked example: joining 4.0 mm total thickness with 3.2 mm rivets needs a length of about 4.0 + 1.5 × 3.2 = 8.8 mm, so select the nearest standard length.