Rivet tool question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 472
From: new bern nc
Rivet tool question
looking to replace some rivets on the car , is there one brand or type of rivet tool that is better than another
thank you in advance for any info
regards Bob
thank you in advance for any info
regards Bob
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,434
Likes: 1,221
From: Glen Allen VA
Bob, depends on where and what type rivet. I purchased a real rivet gun as I’ve removed and replaced a lot of them. The shanks are whatever shape you need. Mostly a flat head for the big flat heads and a convex head for the button headed. There are others needed. I still have not obtained ones for the tube rivets.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,823
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From: El Dorado Hills CA
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,310
Likes: 2,160
From: Bowling Green, Kentucky
Years ago I purchased a used CP 3X gun and various accessories. Ebay is one source, but there are a number of places that sell reconditioned rivet guns from aerospace industries. Price around $150-200.
Buy a good one and it should last two lifetimes. I generally use about 50 psig pressure for driving the rivets.
Larry
EDIT: Something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chicago-Pne...0AAOSwk-pdUv7b Although I think there are better tool sets available if you look around.
Buy a good one and it should last two lifetimes. I generally use about 50 psig pressure for driving the rivets.
Larry
EDIT: Something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chicago-Pne...0AAOSwk-pdUv7b Although I think there are better tool sets available if you look around.
Last edited by Powershift; Oct 17, 2019 at 11:15 PM.
Race Director
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From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
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I have a heavy duty manual rivet gun that will never die. In fact, your hand will die before it does.
A couple years ago, I was installing a bulkhead delete kit in my 1988 LR Defender to achieve more legroom. It required installing about 15 3/16” steel rivets. I did one and bought an electric gun for about $150. God send. This after building two FFR Cobra Coupes each requiring about 500 rivets which I did by hand. Never again! A powered rivet gun is the only way to go.
A couple years ago, I was installing a bulkhead delete kit in my 1988 LR Defender to achieve more legroom. It required installing about 15 3/16” steel rivets. I did one and bought an electric gun for about $150. God send. This after building two FFR Cobra Coupes each requiring about 500 rivets which I did by hand. Never again! A powered rivet gun is the only way to go.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,116
From: Hereford AZ
If you already have this, disregard. When I replaced rivets a while back some folks referred me to this article "Riveting Experience" (attached). I used the "bucking bar" with air chisel (with indented punch) and it worked well for me.
Last edited by vjjack04; Oct 18, 2019 at 04:20 PM. Reason: change
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: Colorado Springs CO
When it comes time to remove the old rivets, I found the easiest and quickest way was to use a ball peen hammer and a 1/2" wood chisel. Place the chisel bevel side up and with a hard swift whack it will cut through the aluminum rivet like soft cheese. If you try and use a drill, the drill bit will want to walk. You may have to repeat this operation on the reinforcement bracket side. Use a 3/16 pin punch to remove the remaining tail. Zip sells the correct 9/16 size head rivets for mid-years, CC rivet heads are 1/2", can't say about any other vendors. You can use #10 screws, flat washers, and nuts to align, draw, and hold the bracket firmly against the body until the first couple of rivets are set. Someone else may have a better method but this way worked for me.