Re: [SilverStreak] Vintage Trailer Supply - rivets

["Eddie" <Eddie@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Jason,
I saw and learned about the rivets and shaver from Tom Patterson. I bought 
the shaver and some rivets from:
Jason Roth
Byler Rivet Supply
2118 Parkside Ave
Irving, TX 75061
800-221-7073
jason@bylerrivet.com

I also bought rivets and supplies for a very useful tool made by Ed Kovalik 
in his machine shop. His site had a good description and display. I found:
Ed Kovalik
2412 Red Oak Drive
Clarks Summit, PA 18411
570-587-5934
ed@rivetnuttool.com
webform@rivetnuttool.com

This information was good in March 2006. I later had the pleasure and 
privilege of meeting Ed Kovalik and his wife. The Olympic rivets finish 
looking like the smooth round-top rivets elsewhere on your trailer and I 
have had no leaking problem. They do not look at all like a pop rivet. It is 
nearly impossible to see any difference in the finished Olympic, and the 
adjacent original bucking rivet. It is pointless to use an Olympic rivet 
without a way to shave or dress it after installation. When I bought the 
Olympic shaver and rivets, I also bought the manual rivet installation hand 
tool. This tool works on all my rivets and is far superior to the several 
other rivet pliers I have. Reluctant, I am very glad I bought the tool as it 
was not that expensive for the better design and good quality it turned out 
to be. I am also glad I bought the shaver and from Byler Rivet and not from 
other sources. It was expensive, but a very useful tool that is easy to use 
with your drill.

My other thoughts on rivet work is to use your Dremel-type tool to grind a 
flat spot on the domed rivets you have to remove rather than trying to 
center-punch a start position. I also drill the smallest hole first and 
completely thru, before I drill the actual size needed to drill out the 
rivet. As far as pop-rivets and color, I just buy them at a nearby local 
hardware store. White is always available in 1/8 but one of those little 
bottles with the tiny brush in it for appliance touch-up works real well, is 
much less than colored rivets, and the colored rivets are easily marred 
during installation.

To guide painting the rivets on days when I just can't seem to perfectly 
aim, I just cut a proper-sized plastic straw almost thru to a little 
slim-ring sliver, used a touch of heat to make it stay like a tiny pan with 
a giant handle, and slip it around the rivet while painting. It makes it 
less tedious for me and a lot faster with a over-paint guide. The appliance 
paint color of white and almond worked in areas that did not wash up 
perfectly white, even though I really tried. After opening they last a long 
time if you simply store in a cool fridge.

I hope the information is still good and is helpful.

-Eddie-
Houston, TX

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jason Parks" <jjparks@shaw.ca>
To: "Silver Streak" <sslist@tompatterson.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2008 11:39 AM
Subject: [SilverStreak] Vintage Trailer Supply - rivets


> I'd like to start fixing my exterior panels and VTS has rivets for both
> interior and exterior panels. They have listed 5/32" Olympic rivets and 
> 1/8"
> white rivets for the interior. This is for a '66 Silver Streak Sabre.
> I'm hoping someone has used this supplier and rivets before and can give 
> me
> some feedback -- plus I've got a few questions --
> 1. Is this the best place to purchase them (it may be the only!)?
> 2. do I need the neoprene washer?
> 3. the shaver tool -- sounds like it's the way to go, but expensive --  
> does
> anyone have one they want to sell me -- or do I need it?
> Any information will be much appreciated. Thanks!
> Jason
>