Pop rivets vs PK screws

R

rope

New member
I am restoring an older citabria. The fabric on the wings was originally fastened with PK Screws (.020 ribs). I had to replace some ribs and the new ones came drilled for pop rivets (1/8 "). The factory says not to mix pop rivets with PK's. The factory thought that someone had an STC to go with pop rivets on the 0.20 ribs. Does anyone know of this STC?
 
If you can afford it, the ACA wings are the way to go. My 76' was restored by ACA with new wings and I cannot say enough good about it. It;s worth the money in the long run. NO ISSUES-ever......
Jeff, N53872
 
Thank you very much for your input. I did consider the ACA wings but opted for the millman spars. I have since found out there is an STC for 3/32 rivets approved for this application. Now I need to decide if the rivets are better than the PK screws.... Decisions decisions!
 
3/32" rivets are pretty small compared to the 1/8" ones used on later planes with wider rib flanges. I guess they'd fit the ribs better, and the STC holder must have done his homework as to strength, but I would probably wimp out and go with the screws. I'd hate to use the little rivets and find out five years down the road that they weren't up to it. A bunch of failed fabric attach fasteners sounds like an ugly thing to have happen. PK screws aren't really hard to put in, don't cost much, and do the job.
 
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