Not so riveting

Another one of the new additions received within the last two weeks was a massive pile of rivets... I got a deal!

Many months ago a BC based University shut down it's structures training program and sold off the program related assets. I had the opportunity to go and view everything and make offers on what we needed, and while there really wasn't too much that would benefit the project, what they did have was piles of rivets. Ultimately I made an offer on all of the countersunk solid rivets that would work for JP843, and a deal was made; 582 pounds if rivets!

Thankfully our Systems Lead, Graham Allan was able to pick the rivets up and store them until I was able to come to collect them.

While not an ideal time due to my other project workloads, I've spend several days sorting, identifying, inspecting, and cataloguing rivets, their associated batch/lot numbers, manufacturers etc. to ensure traceability and to ensure they meet the applicable standards of airworthiness. In addition to this all rivets needed to be re-packaged, tagged and stored in plastic bins. None of this is fun, but it is worth the effort.

These rivets sell for roughly $40-60 per pound, so with a total of 582 pound we would have spent at least $23,280 plus tax. Fortunately my offer was accepted, and we paid $650 including taxes, so I'll call this a win!

I am sure we've got more than enough countersunk rivets for the full airframe here, one less thing to worry about.