Re: [SilverStreak] Belly aluminum? And about riveting ...

["scott holden" <scottholden@xxxxxxxxx>]

I have never done this, but I work in a sheet metal shop and will give
advice where I am familiar with!

1)If you are able to not damage the piece you want to remove- your best bet
is to reuse it. I can still see the "snapped" chalk lines on my belly skin
of my 69, so chances are the holes were hand drilled in place and
match-drilling another piece may be difficult.
2)sorry no help here
3)Drill the center of the rivet. If the rivet body is 1/8" then 1/8" drill
would work.  When you drill the rivet, you'll actually be drilling the rivet
head and body out, and pushing the mandrel head into the compartment behind
the skin. You'll be able to get to 'em after the piece of skin has been
removed. see link.  By The Way! Use a sharp drill bit! And a plug in drill!
Battery-powered cordless drills just don't have the rpms.  If you don't, the
head of the rivet will just spin making drilling out the rivet body very
annoying.
     http://www.gesipausa.com/rivetlg.jpg
4)The rotating head is nice for tight areas but may not be necessary.  I
wouldn't spring for a nicer tool, they exist, but not for the scope of this
project.  If we're talking aluminum rivets, you shouldn't have any problems
pulling/squeezing the handles.  Just some tips on setting rivets:   Make
sure the rivet puller is pushed up flush with the material you're riveting
(don't "hover").  And after everytime you squeeze the handles, release them
fully so that you can choke back up on the mandrel to get another squeeze at
it.

-good luck
-scott

----- Original Message ----- 

> 1)  I seem to recall somebody saying what thickness aluminum to buy, and a
> good source.
> Anybody have any suggestions?
> 2)  I keep hearing 5/32" Olympic rivets.  Is that for the belly too?  And
> how much thickness
> should the rivet accommodate?
> 3)  Where I'd like to work, someone already had cut a square and then
> riveted a patch back
> on.  To get the patch off, did I read that I should use a 1/8" drill?  Do I
> just drill into the center
> of the rivet and it somehow miraculously falls out?  Could someone explain
> what I should
> expect as the steps?
> 4)  I've never riveted.  I went to my local Ace Hardware and they have
> several rivet tools for
> around $20 - $25.  One has a rotating head and looks essentially identical
> to one they sell on
> Vintage Trailer Supply.  (See
> http://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/Swivel_Head_Riveter_p/vts-210.htm ).
>  I assume there
> are better tools, but am I going to kick myself if I buy this?  Also as a
> person of the female
> persuasion, I have small hands.  Am I going to need a long grip span and a
> lot  of stength to
> do this?
>
> Thanks in advance for any and all advice ...
>
> Bev
> 1964 Sabre