(page 11-08 revisited) Double homicide (of airplane parts)

RIP F-1287E and F-1287F.  Fabrication of the parts for the stabilator trim servo requires match drilling #40 the actuator tube and aluminum plug, then squeezing two AD470SF3-9 rivets.  My first three squeeze attempts resulted in bent rivets and the subsequent drilling out of said rivets.  The holes were then enlarged enough that I pronounced the parts dead.  After thinking a bit, I concluded that I created this problem by using a hand drill rather than a drill press, resulting in a bit of wobble which allowed the rivets to move slightly when being squeezed.  I briefly considered going to 1/8th inch rivets, but I was not comfortable removing more meat from the tube, considering what would happen if the part failed.  I contacted the Mother Ship, and they concurred that new parts should be used.  I was also concerned that play could be felt with the plug inserted into the tube prior to riveting.  I realize that setting the rivets would tighten this up, but in a vibration-rich environment such as an airplane, relative motion between parts could lead to fretting corrosion.  I got permission from Van's to coat the plug with epoxy before insertion, allaying my no-doubt-groundless worries.  The rivet is a bit short for the application (as determined by my trusty rivet gage), resulting in a shop head that's a bit small.  This isn't an issue since the rivet is loaded entirely in shear.