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Clecoing: Holding Sheets While You Work

A cleco is a temporary fastener that keeps drilled holes in line and the sheets tight until the rivet goes in. It is reusable, sized by the hole, and quick. A sheet riveted without being held tight ends up with gaps.

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The drawing

Where to buy
Section through a cleco clamping two sheets and a plan of a skin with clecos spaced along the rivet rows
After FAA-H-8083-31B p. 4-29 (Figs. 4-72, 4-73). Spacing is the job's, not the Handbook's: it gives no figure.

Step by step

StepActionWhat to do
1Match the sizeThe size is stamped on the fastener and colour coded: 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, 1/4 and 3/8 in. See the cleco size chart.
2Deburr firstTake the burrs off before final assembly so the sheets close.
3Start at the endsLine up the parts and place the first clecos at the ends or the corners.
4Spread along the rowAdd more so the sheets close evenly, without a wave.
5Rivet, then move themRivet between clecos, then take them out and fill those holes last.
6Need more clamp?Hex nut or wing nut fasteners give up to 300 lb of clamping force.
Cleco pliers inserting a cleco into a sheet
Cleco pliers putting a fastener in. FAA-H-8083-31B, Fig. 4-72

Tools you need

ToolWhat forBuying guideCatalog
ClecosTemporary fasteningCleco pliersCleco kit
Cleco pliersFits all six sizesCleco pliersPliers
Side-grip clampEdge clampingCleco pliersSide grip

What to check when it is done

Look atGoodIf not
HolesStay alignedDo not force a rivet: find why
SheetsTight, no gap, no waveAdd clecos before riveting
Hole rimUnmarked by the clecoCheck the size was right

Questions people actually ask

How far apart should clecos be?

The Handbook gives no figure. Use the job card or SRM; close enough that the sheets stay tight.

Limits of this guide

What the sources support, and no further.

  • The manual governs. Where the SRM, the drawing or the fastener maker says otherwise, follow them; this page explains general practice.
  • Order and spacing here are general shop practice, not Handbook text.

Where to buy

AmericaDistributor coming soonOur partner for this region is on its way
EuropeDistributor coming soonOur partner for this region is on its way
OceaniaDistributor coming soonOur partner for this region is on its way

Distributors coming soon.

Keep going

Guides

ChartCleco Size & Color ChartSizes, colours, drills.

How to do it

Standard practiceRivetingWhat comes next.

Tools

Tool guideCleco pliersHow to use cleco pliers and temporary sheet metal fastenersBuying guideCleco Pliers, and When a Cleco Gun Is Worth ItWhat to buy.

Data sheets

Data sheetKwik-Lok K series — spring clecos, K, KK, KL, KEL and KHD seriesKwik-Lok K series Kwik-Lok plier-operated temporary fastenersData sheetKwik-Lok KSG — side grips and Handi-KlampsKwik-Lok KSG side grips and Handi-KlampsData sheetKwik-Lok ZKLS — temporary fastener kits, ZKLS-1 to ZKLS-3Kwik-Lok ZKLS Kwik-Lok temporary fastener kits

Buy

Distributors coming soon.

Sources

  • FAA-H-8083-31B, Aviation Maintenance Technician Handbook: Airframe, Chapter 4 — p. 4-29, Cleco fasteners; hex nut and wing nut fasteners, Figs. 4-72, 4-73.
Educational reference only. not approved data. Always consult the applicable SRM, AMM, or AC 43.13-1B and your certifying authority.
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