jyoconnell

Hello- I'm replacing some of the seat belt reinforcements in my 1969 convertible. What tool is used to put in the rivets for the reinforcement sheet metal pieces? The rivet gun I have does not fit the stock GM rivets. Does anyone know where I can get a rivet gun or adapter for the OEM type rivets?
thanks,
John

carl a

i use a rivit gun with large rivits when i put those plates under the 73

JonnHeather

Are you talking about the solid 3/16" rivets? If so, you can use an air chisel with a rivet bit and a dolly for the back side. Works great!!!!!!

jyoconnell

I am talking about the solid 3/16 rivets. Thanks for the tip. I have an air hammer, but I didn't know you could get a rivit bit for it. So you hold the dolly against the back of the rivet and then use the air hammer to fatten the rivet stem under the chassis?
Thanks,
John

GDaina

yes, you have to hold it really really tight....

If you can't find a bit, make your own...just cut the head off from a damaged bit, and grind the middle out, the shape of a shallow bowl. I did that when I rivited my grill brackets. Works great and looks factory.

Forgot, you don't have to make it deep, maybe 1/16" and then flatten the edges, don't leave them sharp.

vettemack

I bought my rivet tools from "yardstore.com" . They have all different sizes and shapes. Worked perfect in my air hammer tool.

Bob

Lee H

Paragon has the correct 3/16 rivets and rivet setting shank. I have replaced a few and with a little practice they look just like the factory ones.

jyoconnell

Thanks, I got the rivit bit. I just need to figure out how to hold the back of the rivit in place while I'm under the car with the air hammer. I guess I'll put some weights on it.

JonnHeather

Porta power works good when you can't reach the other side to hold it. Slide it in place, put a little pressure on it and it holds the rivets great!!!!

carl a

the proper way to do this is called ''swedging'' with a ''swedging tool''---it looks like a punch,but is concave in the tip.when you hit the swedging tool you have to have a anvil on the other side,it mushrooms the rivit,,,i did this on a old anvil at the corner mechanics,to my tire tub,,,he held the tub while i used his swedging tool,,,, i bought those rivits from corvette central,50 in a pack and used about 8 to hold the ''y'' strap to the tub after i jet coated the ''y'' strap--you can see in this photo they look just like the general did it-------------------------