Re: [VACList] Sheetmetal & Rivets

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Olympic Rivets:
http://rivetsplus.com/manufacture/gesipa/bulb_tite.asp
http://rivetsplus.com/new.asp
http://www.AirstreamDreams.com/
(don't get the black washer)

Bucked rivets & aluminum sheet:
http://www.airpartsinc.com/products.htm
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/index.php

How to do sheetmetal work:
http://www.tinmantech.com/html/products.html
(get the books)

> Polishing....how does a lazy man make an Airstream shine?

He pays to have some one do it at $125 a foot  :>)

Otherwise:
http://www.VintageAirstream.com/Myrtle/polish1.html

(links to the three other major polishing sites at the end)


In earlier posts, there was some bad press thrown at the shaveable Olympic
rivet.  It still is the only way to get a rivet that looks like an original
rivet, and Airstream uses them at the factory. In the damaged sheet metal on
our Caravel, there are many such, and all are as tight as when installed.
I've shot maybe 250K solid rivets and pulled maybe 50K blind (Cherry)
fasteners, and each is ideal for their uses - but in this case the shaveable
Olympic is the preferred part.

The only place you are going to need to buck solid rivets is if the tails
are exposed, such as around door openings. Unless you've removed the
interior skin, then you save some money if you have an experienced partner
to help you buck the driven rivets  (doubtful for the home restorer).

-- 
Best of luck,
RJ