I'm trying to rivet the v strap on the tire lid. Is there a trick to doing this. I have a good rivet gun, also have soft rivets. how far should the rivet stick passed the material before you rivet it? Should you heat the rivet ? Any idea. Thanks Gary.
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Re: Help with rivets
Usually you want one and half the diameter of the rivet to protrude. You may need to grind it to length to get it right. Drive it from the head side with the bucking bar on the rivet butt. You will want to use an air regulator and reduce air pressure to around 50 Ibs. Increase or decrease pressure until you feel comfortible. If you screw up, just drill it out and try again. You should be an expert by your 3rd rivet.
good luck,
tc -
Re: Help with rivets
If you have original style dead soft aluminum rivets, using a rivet gun is overkill IMO.
Back up the large flat head on the inside of the tub with 3lb engineer's hammer and peen over the rivet shank on top of the strap side using another hammer and a flat ended rod. You will probably need a helper to hold the engineer's hammer in position, but if you're trying to use a rivet gun, you already need a helper.
Get the part number for the tub strap rivets from the AIM, then go to Doc Rebuild's catalog and find the aluminum rivets...they have a chart that tells you the correct length of the rivets by part number.Comment
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Re: Help with rivets
One trick I found was to "pre-set" the rivets in a vise...huh?
Well from what I have seen, the holes are often oversize...sometimes WAY oversize so if you use the proper amount of rivet sticking out as Tracy mentioned it might just not be enough. 1-1/2 the diameter is the standard for a good hole but I've found that as much a 2-1/2 the diameter might be required if the hole is quite loose. The problem I had was that trying to buck these dead soft rivets with that much tail would cause them to bend over rather than swell and fill the hole.
What I did to solve this was to "pre-set" them in my vise. All I did was trial fit each rivet in it's hole and loose ones got put in the vise. The vise will sqeeze them evenly so that they don't bend over. Just try a little at a time until it fits the hole nicely and then trim off the end so that you have 1-1/2 the diameter sticking out.
For bucking them I just used a hammer and dolly because these dead soft rivets buck VERY easy.Comment
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Re: Help with rivets
Two big hammers have always worked fer me. One as a dolly and one to smack the hades outta it
Dick WhittingtonComment
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Re: Help with rivets
Hi Gary Contact Long Island Corvette. They have a rivet tool punch for those very rivits you are setting. If you have not dealt with them keep in mind they are somewhat ANAL as if they are the only suplierin the world, a lot like "The Soup ****s" on Sienfeld. Regards JRComment
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Re: Help with rivets
Hi Jim I know and have read about LICS, and they are very good friends of mine, and yes they are short with people.The only thing I want to say is, how many times have you read questions on this DB, and said to yourself that person doesn't have a CLUE or their too lazy to read or get a book.They get calls from people all day long that want to argue with them about what a judge says or the new JM states, and I would bet that 99.9 times the judge or the JM is wrong. Ive have gotten on the phone with some of their customers and could not believe what some of them come up with. I understand the customer is always right, but they are people too, and Richard is the most knowledgeable person for 63 thru 67 corvettes that I have EVER met, does he know everything, NO, no one does, Thanks Phil 8063Comment
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Re: Help with rivets
Yep! Just checked and they range in price and vary by size with a choice of 3/16", 1/8" or semitubular rivet set tool for $10.00 The other two are $18.00 each.
Tom Russo
78 SA NCRS 5 Star Bowtie78 Pace Car L82 M2100 MY/TR/ConvComment
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Re: Help with rivets
I have found that Doc's rivets are soft and easy to work with. The rivets on the strap on the lid on my car had a 3/16 in depression in the center of each rivet. I believe this was to tighten them.
RandyComment
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63 FI SWC, Top Flight 2006/2008, PV 2007
69 Coupe, 427, 400HP w/AC
72 LT1 Targa Blue Convertible - Duntov Award
07 Z06, Black/Black - Daily DriverComment
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Re: Help with rivets
Hi Phil I meant no offense toward LICS. I took this info from the DB and people in our area that have used their service. I have bought from them for many years as they have some of the best of products. I always buy from our local supplier and they in turn purchase from LICS. I also always recomend them for midyear parts. Regards JRComment
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Re: Help with rivets
I bought all my riveting tools from a aircraft tool supply.
They have everything you need. You don't need a rivet gun from them. Just use a air chisel with the pressure turned down. A few clecos of the correct size are handy to have. There great for holding the pieces nice and tight while riveting. A nut and bolt will do the same but these are a lot quicker to use. I have they spring type and a few wing nut style. Also a pair of cleco pliers. A couple rivet sets for the correct size head. A flush rivet set. Thats all I have and I had no problems. These tools make the job easy.Comment
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Re: Help with rivets
If it hasn't been covered before, perhaps this would be a great topic in the Corvette Restorer magazine submitted by someone very familiar with rivet installations. I for one, know that I could use some tool guidance and step-by-step instructions. From what I see, I imagine others would benefit also.Comment
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