Re: [SilverStreak] Vintage Trailer Supply - rivets

["Jason Parks" <jjparks@xxxxxxx>]

Thanks Eddie for all the great info. I did some checking today and have come 
up with the following pricing:
VTS - about $23 per 100 for Olympic rivets with washer
Byler Rivet - $38 per 100 (same rivet)
VTS - shaver tool - $209
BR - shaver tool - $195
I think either supplier could be negotiated down to match -- I'll see who's 
willing to give the best price.
Thanks again.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eddie" <Eddie@Huffstetter.com>
To: <sslist@tompatterson.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 09, 2008 10:57 AM
Subject: Re: [SilverStreak] Vintage Trailer Supply - rivets


> 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
>>