On Tue, 11 Dec 2007 16:58:38 +0700, Bruce in Bangkok
wrote:

THere have been at least a million aluminum airplanes produced. All
were riveted. Wonder why?


Lowest bidder?


not hardly.

Best fastener for the material.

Rivets were the best fastener for ships until they started welding
plates (then a few Liberty ships sank before the subs got 'em.)

Brian W

Most of the high strength aluminum alloys are not weldable.

Yes, of course. There are weldable alloys that make a very nice boat
and they are easily weldable if the plates are thick enough. Rozema in
Seattle makes a nice forty foot power boat. Yacht or oil skimmer, same
fittings and workmanship. The same good cabinet latches are on the
workboat. There are otters living under the building and you can watch
them from the breakroom.

Casady