rivet setting tools
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: overworld
rivet setting tools
where might i find quality rivet tools so that i can reset the factory aluminum rivets correctly? or what tool can be used instead of the "correct" one? im referring to the solid aluminum rivets that i need to reattach the wire harness holders to the firewall and inner fenders.
also any tips? i know how i would do it, but im always open to new suggestions. thanks
also any tips? i know how i would do it, but im always open to new suggestions. thanks
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: overworld
if thats how you do it then ok. i thought there might be a tool availible that was concaved so as to give the correct rolled or convex shape to the rivet versus just a flat shape. i havent seen one in my travels, but i wasnt sure if it existed. thanks
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Slidell LA
Rivet setting
I used the tool available from Long Island Corvette Supply to set some rivets when I restored my 67. The tool works fine with the right rivets; most rivets you find now are too hard when compared to the factory rivets and are a bear to set. You just use the tool, a hammer and a solid backing plate behind the rivet's head, a good whack or two is all it takes to set the rivet. The correct rivets are soft and can be cut with hand held wire cutters. I used the Dr Rebuild supplied rivets; easy to set. I first tried the ones Long Island had but they were too hard; had to be cut with a hacksaw and would not peen over with a hammer and their rivet setting tool. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Check out http://www.yardstore.com
They are an aircraft tools supply outfit but have all the correct rivet setting tools you need and some of the best prices I've found. They are a very good outfit to deal with. To do the job right you really need a .401 shank air chisel (they can be had very cheap <$20 and are one of my most used tools). This type of rivet is very easy to use if you have the correct tools!
A manual rivet setting tool is available from Caledonia Corvette but you need 3 hands to use it: one to swing the hammer, one to hold the tool, and one to hold the bucking bar. I wasn't born with 3 hands so I prefer the air hammer method.
They are an aircraft tools supply outfit but have all the correct rivet setting tools you need and some of the best prices I've found. They are a very good outfit to deal with. To do the job right you really need a .401 shank air chisel (they can be had very cheap <$20 and are one of my most used tools). This type of rivet is very easy to use if you have the correct tools!
A manual rivet setting tool is available from Caledonia Corvette but you need 3 hands to use it: one to swing the hammer, one to hold the tool, and one to hold the bucking bar. I wasn't born with 3 hands so I prefer the air hammer method.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
From: overworld
crap. see im not fimilar with all the correct terms. but by looking through that site i can gather what i need is a rivet set. i found the .401 here
http://www.yardstore.com/index.cfm?A...y&Category=123
but what are the different sizes they have listed by each one? im assuming thats the rivet size itself. i dont have a rivet in front of me, but im using the ones corvette central supplies and i believe they are 3/16" right? so i would want part number 10304.
now i have an air hammer or chisel is there a special one that works with .401 sets only?
sorry if im making this difficult, just trying to learn. thanks for all the help. i do appreciate it.
http://www.yardstore.com/index.cfm?A...y&Category=123
but what are the different sizes they have listed by each one? im assuming thats the rivet size itself. i dont have a rivet in front of me, but im using the ones corvette central supplies and i believe they are 3/16" right? so i would want part number 10304.
now i have an air hammer or chisel is there a special one that works with .401 sets only?
sorry if im making this difficult, just trying to learn. thanks for all the help. i do appreciate it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,923
From: Washington Michigan
You'll need a regulator to knock the air pressure down at the air hammer; rivet-peening with them works best at about 15-20 psi. You'll need to trim the rivet shank to the correct length for each application (about 1/4"- 3/8" of raw shank protruding before bucking it); if you can't do this easily with nippers, you have the wrong (too hard) rivets. Doc Rebuild and Paragon sell the correct soft rivets. 
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 16,978
Likes: 7
From: In Dreams There Is Truth Ohio
O made my own...cut the end off a busted air chisel...ground out the center, just enough to put a dimple in the rivet..then hold the head with anything that has mass such as the head of a sledge hammer...works great.
Yeah, what John Z sais is on the money...wire cutters will trim the rivets....
Yeah, what John Z sais is on the money...wire cutters will trim the rivets....
Last edited by GDaina; Jan 20, 2005 at 08:19 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
.401 shank is the most common size for an air chisel. This is the size most consumer tool supplies sell and is the one you want.
The rivet size is 3/16 diameter. Buy the long ones and cut to length per John Z's description.
You don't really need to buy a bucking bar but The Yard has a lot of varieties that are very inexpensive. Use a small sledge hammer head instead if you want to go on the cheap. I also got a piece of 1/2" thick cold rolled steel stock that's about 2"X6" that I use to get into tight places.
The rivet size is 3/16 diameter. Buy the long ones and cut to length per John Z's description.
You don't really need to buy a bucking bar but The Yard has a lot of varieties that are very inexpensive. Use a small sledge hammer head instead if you want to go on the cheap. I also got a piece of 1/2" thick cold rolled steel stock that's about 2"X6" that I use to get into tight places.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,923
From: Washington Michigan
Originally Posted by jowens1997
Aluminum hardens with time. Within a few hours of use, heat the rivets to 500 degrees F then immediately dump them in ice water. Hope this helps.
