I need a rivet lesson

[Ross F.]

In my 75 roadster, as I look around, I have many failed rivots. My first thought is to grab the old rivot gun and have at it. But... as I want to restore the car to top flight standards I guess I need to use the aluminum rivots that came on the car. I have no tool or experience installing these. And many seem blind. So how is it done? Or what book should I buy?

[Gene M.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

Ross,
A hammer and a big hunk of steel to peen the rivet over against. First cut the tenon length to about an 1/8 to 3/16 beyond the parts stack up. A buddy holding the hunk of steel against the rivet head while you hammer away on the tenon end.

[Tracy C.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

Why do you think the rivets have failed?

[Ross F.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

Corrosion, some places so bad the heads are off. #4 mounts are shot. Tons of rivots there. Okay so I need an extra set of hands. How about the blind ones I cant get behind?

[Tracy C.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

I've bought the original soft flat head aluminum rivets from Dr Rebuild and most recently at Corvette Central. The install the same as any driven rivet. If you have a rivet gun and know how to use it, you are in good shape. 25 psi is all you need on these. If you do not have access to both side, your only option is a 3/16 pop rivet.

[Russ S.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

This method won't give you typical factory results tho. It would merit a NCRS deduct when judged. Best way is to use a air chisel with a bucking block. The air chisel bit can be cut off and a concave depression ground into the end to give the correct looking peen. .

Ross,
A hammer and a big hunk of steel to peen the rivet over against. First cut the tenon length to about an 1/8 to 3/16 beyond the parts stack up. A buddy holding the hunk of steel against the rivet head while you hammer away on the tenon end.

[Alan S.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

Hi Ross,
I found this tool with it's concave tip and a ball-peen hammer is useful in matching the 'mushroom set' seen on many of the original aluminum rivets.
Different length rivets were used in different fastening situations.
I bought just 2 lengths of rivets and trimmed the longest ones to fit it's use.
If there's too much shaft extending beyond the surface of the bracket or part the shaft wants to bend to the side rather than expand in the hole and mushroom on the surface of the part.
Regards,
Alan

[Floyd B.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

I recently had to reattach the hinges for the rear compartment doors to a new frame. I used these in my air hammer:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...m_pla=&cm_ite=

I got the rivets here:

http://shop.docrebuild.com/100CorvetteReplacesGM3828546and3828547and3828548and3828549and3828550.aspx

[Timothy B.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

I read somewhere the correct way to set these rivets is to hammer on the flat (formed) rivet head and use the bucking bar on the stem that sticks through the hole. My thinking is the opposite, hammer with the rivet gun on the stem to form the mushroom and buck (hold solid) the formed head weather it's flat or curved head. Someone correct me on this..

[Alan S.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

Hi Tim,
I agree.
The majority of rivets on my car had unmarked heads.
I think if they'd been set from the head side the tool would have left some traces.
Regards,
Alan

One person bucking and one person setting?
CN Oct/Nov 1970

[Terry L.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

Ross,

Here is a youtube link on bucking aircraft solid shank rivets. The youtube video is a little more detailed then you need as far as rivet selection goes, but it gives you the basics for bucking rivets and tools required. Google bucking aircraft rivets and you will find multiple videos.
One of the concern is rivet length and cutting the rivet. The rivet length should be cut to equal the grip length (material thickness) plus 1.5 x the rivet diameter. If your material thickness is 3/16" and your rivet diameter is 3/16 then you should cut your rivet to 3/16" + 3/16" + 3/32" = 15/32" long. The guy in the video has a gauge to mark the rivet length.
I would recommend buying a rivet cutting tool and not use wire cutters or end nippers. Using end nippers or wire cutters to cut the rivet deforms the end of the rivet and it will effect the look of the rivet after its bucked. See link to rivet cutting tools. As stated in the video, you can us a hammer and bucking bar to drive rivets or you can us the air hammer. Notice all the different drive tools or "rivet sets" in the video. If you use an air hammer you will need a flush rivet set. I would practice bucking several rivets before doing the real work. Experiment with the length of the rivet to get the finish your looking for.
More then likely it will take two people to perform this depending on the location of your work. Buy soft aluminum rivets and buy more rivets then you need and buy them longer then you need, you can always cut them to length. Once you get the hang of bucking the rivets and your satisfied with the size and look of the rivet tail, performed the work on the car.
You will need to do one final step to finish the tail of the rivet to look like GM's rivet. GM's rivet tail finish is rounded. Compare the rivet tail in the video and the rivet tail in Alan's picture in post #7. To finish off the tail of the rivet I use a round head rivet set and gently drive it in reverse using the bucking bar on the head of the rivet and drive the tail of the rivet using the air hammer with the round head rivet set (I think i us the round head rivet set for 1/8" or 3/16"for this). You don't want to be over zealous in this last step.
You will have some investments in tools just to drive a dozen rivets. You can check ebay for good deals on used bucking bars and rivet sets.

http://youtu.be/1hB3rIECtxM

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/to/rivet_3cutters.html

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/categories/building_materials/bm/menus/to/rivet.html

Terry

[Tom R.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

Good stuff! thx guys

[Ross F.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

Thanks to all for the directions. Terry, great references. Alan, you are my kind of guy, cause, if I'm not mistaken, that photo shows your corvette body in your living room.
ok, Im on it!

[Alan S.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

Hi Ross,
That made me laugh!
I've gotten away with a lot, but no Corvette in the living room.....although..... there was a disassembled NACRA 18 sq.mtr. catamaran in our living room one winter many, many, many years ago!!!!
Regards,
Alan

[Ross F.]

Re: I need a rivot lesson

Couple more questions. The number 1 body mounts are shot. They are rivoted to the fiberglass and I cant see how to buck them. Same with the number 4 mounts. Pop rivots?
And is they some sort of animosity between NCRS and Doc Rebuild? Reading his stuff I kinda pick up that vibe.