Where can I get this hole aligning tool

I was talking to a yacht rigger today & he was fixing an aluminium plate to a mast. The plate had about 12 holes pre drilled for pop rivets. He placed the plate in position then drilled a hole in the mast. He then used this tool which he inserted through the 2 holes. He tightened the knurled nut on the end & the plate pulled up a bit & the holes aligned perfectly. He then rotated the plate to a slightly better position & drilled another hole & inserted another similar tool. He then drilled all the other holes. Removed the 2 aligners & pop riveted the plate after applying some wax to the holes ( forget the name)

In the picture the left hand side shows 2 pins of half diameter ( they have rotated out of position) which expand when the screw on the right is rotated.

He has several of differing diameter & finds them handy when hanging of a bosuns chair up a mast fixing things like radar domes as he can drill one hole then hold the plate in place whilst drilling other holes.

As a model hobbyist I would find a couple handy from time to time & would like to have a source ( He wants some more)

So does anyone know the name of them & where to get them please

Thanks

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 26/04/2018 14:58:02

Hi, Sam.

Try these guys http://www.skinpins.com/catalog/index.php/fasteners-clamps-sheet-metal-fasteners-c-49_7_52

They have every variation of Cleco type pins you could think of and they seem to have large stocks.

A satisfied customer.

Alistair.

Google Cleco

Sam

They are standard aerospace assembly devices know as skinpins, clecos, etc.

Aerospace supplies should stock them see skinpins.com

Regards.

The half diameter pin has not rotated out of position, it is designed like that so that the pin can be inserted through a close tolerance hole of the same diameter as the pin. When the screw is tightened the oversize half of the pin is pulled up and catches against the underside of substrate panel and the main body grips the patch. Hence the name "Gripper Pins". I still have a few from my aircraft fixing days.

Jim

Edited By Jim Nic on 26/04/2018 15:11:23

The screw versions are rare

Item 323088657440 on you know where

There are also others in his "other items for sale" bit

Edited By Ady1 on 26/04/2018 15:37:15

Intruiged by these things I have been looking at them to see if they can be used as a blind hole aligning tool

The bit with the bobble on the end moves up and down and is part of the threaded end of the tool

If you cut the bobble off and put a small amount of metal on the OPPOSITE side you will have a tool that jams in a blind hole and pulls a plate hard up against the workpiece with the blind hole

Might be useful for some work

To undo it you unscrew the wheel and tap the top, the main body can also be levered out from the bottom with a small screwdriver