Plane making -side riveting question

[Halgeir Wold]

I've been surfing around looking for plane making tips and ideas, and there are several sites with lots of information. The peened dovetail version of joining the sole and sides are quite cimbersome and labour intensive.
Some makers use rivets for the joining process, and as I have access to a very good metalshop for trueing and is capable of basic+ milling and turning myself, this looks like an easier method for me.
Ron Brese uses what he calls a special rivet, but my question is really if anyone have any tips or ideas on the shape, size and metal type for such rivets.......?

[Steve knight]

they are not that bad. but it does not matter as long as the soles and sides are locked together.

[Steve knight]

you could drill and tape the sole for screws that you use as rivets or round pins you peen to lock the sides to the sole. you could just screw them together and glue the threads.

[Aled Dafis]

I built a smoother using the screw/rivet method. If you go down this route, make sure that you use good quality taps, and lots of cutting fluid!! I broke two (cheap) taps when making my plane,so the first sloe had to be scrapped.:mad:

I wrote the build up on my blog/site, but here are a few pics to help you along.


http://www.infillplane.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/1-013-1024x682.jpg

http://www.infillplane.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/1-014-1024x682.jpg

Cheers


Aled

[Halgeir Wold]

Thanks alot, guys....
Aled - great pic's - just what needed, but if you don't mind.. what's the thickness of your sole and sides...?

[Aled Dafis]

The sole is 10mm (Just over 3/8") thick, and the sides are 5mm (Just over 3/16").

Needless to say, it's quite a hefty plane!!

Cheers

Aled