Panther Sport Aircraft Forums

Rick , the only place you should counter sink hinge is on the trim tab. dimple all others! you can actually use protruding head rivets in that area. the they will clear the skin but it is tight.
Dan

Rick,

Given the choice of dimpling or countersinking, I always chose to dimple. Curved hinges are easily straightened.

Tony

Sorry, I wasn't clear asking the question.

Since I am using flush-blind rivets, is there a problem with countersinking the vertical tail hinge as was done with the elevator trim?

I am thinking that the reason for the countersink on that particular hinge, is because it is being "sandwiched" between the skin and spar. Where the others are taking the shop end of the rivet and if counter sunk, would not hold up.

Yes, I have dimpled hinges, like you said they bend because they are so soft. They can also stretch from dimpling. If you do the dimpling lightly, it will still bend, but you can straighten it out. If you squeeze too hard they stretch, then you can't install it with the mating hinge. Just play with it some to get the feel.

The vertical stabilizer requires it because the fuselage skin overlaps the flange of the channel the hinge attaches to.

The builders manual specified countersinking the elevator/trim tab hinge and for the vertical tail the plans specify dimpling the hinge. Tried dimpling some scrap hinge material and it bends the hinge a fair amount at each dimple location. Did anyone else that any problems dimpling there hinges?

Thanks