| Author |
Message |
Wandering Wilson (Wilson) (207.200.63.86)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 20, 2002 - 11:55 am: | |
I have skinned the lower 42 inches above the floor height with 90 thousands. This worked great, Very little flex after all the rivets were in. I counter sunk all the rivets so I have a fairly smooth surface. I also have about 1500 rivets on each side that is not very attractive. My original plan was to lay a second complete skin with polyurethane and rivets every 4 inches or so. I have noticed several aluminum sides with no rivets except in the trim resulting in a smooth rivetless skin. I would appreciate any input as to how this is being done. Thanks for all your help in advance. |
OAE Palmer (208.164.102.71)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 20, 2002 - 11:39 pm: | |
Threaded studs are spot welded to the backside and held in place with star washers and lock nuts.
OR
The skin can be spot or stitch welded to the framework.
OR
The skin can be bonded with a 2-part agent similar in concept to e-poxy.
OR
They also can use honeycomb skin and rivet from the inside out leaving the outer surface dimple free. |
jmaxwell (66.42.92.79)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, May 22, 2002 - 2:55 am: | |
Or, they can use Stika-flex or other urethane adhesive, which, I think, is the most popular method now days. |
Jim Nelson (64.24.85.52)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 - 6:09 pm: | |
Yet another way is to fabricate smooth panels that fold over the edges and use 3M VHB 2-sided foam tape and sikaflex with rivets in the flanges on the sides of the skins. The 102D's had this setup - if you work it properly, you can have no rivets showing at all - the nose cap perimeter rivets and upper sideskin rivets are hidden under metal trim pieces. It takes a good box finger brake and a bit of patience. I would reccomend .045" 308 stainless - aluminum has a tendency to corrode on lower paneling after the slightest nick in the paint. As for carbon steel - forget it. The structure of most buses mean that wet dirt and stuff will build up behind the paneling and hideous rust holes will appear. |