-----Original Message-----
From: Rotary Engine
Sent: Monday, June 27, 2011 8:01 AM
To: AAA Put this in the To box
Subject: RV4 taIl.


 Can any of you RV builders tell me how I can tighten this nut and
 bolt?
   No wrenches or sockets I have fit. This is built according to the
   plans and with the AN nut and bolt called out in the plans.

   I sure hope Van gave a little more thought to assembly when
   he designed the later airplanes.

   Paul Lamar

 Paul,

 Try contacting Snapon distribution in Carson City, NV. Cheryl
 Borchard.
 (775)883-7455 Ext210  E-mail  CherylK.Borchard@snapon.com

 Dale Davies


 Paul,

 What size is the bolt? Somehow I was getting the extra keyboard
 features
 symbols instead of /?. I think i have it now. Cheryl is at the
 distibution
 center and can get you in touch with a franchizee. You can then
 phone them
 to meet if you need to get special tool

 It looks to me like an offset or angle wrench would work fine. Other
 suppliers make them also. A crowsfoot socket would also work if
 torqueing is
 required.

 Dale Davies

 1/4 28.

 Not enough clearance for a box end wrench. Even Snap ON.
 Perhaps a Snap On socket but I have not tried it yet.
 I kind of doubt even a snap on socket would fit.

 The answer is an NS 12 point bolt and nut.

 Paul

 Paul Lamar

Paul,


You could take a deep socket that would otherwise fit the bolt, and
then grind away a wide 'slot' near the opening, enough to allow the
socket to fit onto the nut and also allow turning.  Then you could
simply use a ratchet handle to turn it.  The socket might not spring
open too much and allow you to tighten the nut.  You wouldn't need
a thin walled socket either...you could use a very thick walled socket
which would resist springing open since the opening would allow
placing the socket in place.  Yes, you would have to remove the
socket and replace it with each turn...perhaps just use this method
for final tightening.

Gene Kahn


Paul,
          Have kept out of this so far as I do not have an RV.  However I
can see your problem and suggest depending on what load the bolt has to take
, that you substitute a "Cap screw" which as you know has an "Alan key" head
which may be able to be substituted instead of the "Star" head bolt you are
dealing with.  Another $.02 worth.

Neil.


That certainly is an option. One of the features of AN hardware, and this applies to NS and MS hardware well, is the exact grip length is important.
One does not want the threaded portion of a bolt bearing on thin sheet
metal brackets. AN hardware is almost always used with one or more AN washers. Aircraft hard ware therefore comes in grip length of 1/16" increments.

Also everything else about the hardware is controlled and specified. Maternal,
heat treat and dimensions are held to close tolerance.

You don't see that in commercial cap screws. Frequently commercial hardware is stronger especially grade 8 but not always.

Paul Lamar