TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Jan 15, 2006 8:58 am

Hey All. I've recently been checking out the "Old School" hot rod and custom scene, and have been perusing the rides featured in a few of those special interest rags. I saw a feature on a '28 Ford pickup custom job that the builder used rivets for all his body panel joining. The type of rivets he used are the solid domed head type that I believe you have to drive against a buck or a dolly to set 'em. The look achieved with clean uniform spacing is sweet, nice and industrial looking. My question is, how will those rivets hold up over time? Will vibration and body flex work 'em loose? I know vintage aircraft fuselages were assembled with rivets, and large scale industrial assembly like steel building girders were joined with hot rivets "back in the day", but I don't know if they still use that technique. How do the "pop-rivets" that are set with a hand or pneumatic tool compare in strength and durability? -K-

Sun Jan 15, 2006 10:25 am

I was an aircraft structural mechanic for 4 years and have "bucked" tens of thousands of aluminum rivets and many steel ones and don't recall ever seeing a properly installed rivet fail. Many new commercial aircraft are still built using rivets. If they can handle the flexing of an aircraft I'm sure a hot-rod would be no problem. The pop or blind rivet as they are called are not nearly as strong as the solid ones. Especially the ones you buy at the hardware store.

Sun Jan 15, 2006 3:28 pm

Hey Super Dave, and thanks for your reply. What does the procedure consist of when "bucking" the solid rivets? Pneumatic hammer and of course buck or dolly to hammer against? Sounds like a long day at the office, but I'll bet it's not that bad once you get going. What is a better source than say an Ace hardware for the "blind" rivets? Are their grades of that variety as well as their are of threaded fasteners? Regards, -K-

Sun Jan 15, 2006 6:36 pm

You might try this place http://www.yardstore.com/

They have a full line of aircraft sheetmetal / pneumatic rivet tools, and I know they also have rivets by the pound, but Im not sure if they list those on the website.

Procedure...

Drill holes, Deburr, insert rivet, use proper set on rivet gun, buck with appropriate bucking bar.