minuteman62-64
Lieutenant
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Messages
- 1,350
Aluminum ones, that is. In working on a project for my aluminum skiff I needed to acquire some aluminum blind rivets. My boat is constructed of a 5000 series (5052?) alloy. In searching various suppliers (not the entire universe, so there is a lot more I have to learn) I found that:
1. Most aluminum blind rivets I've found in retail outlets (Home Depot, etc.) have no specs. displayed.
2. On-line suppliers usually (not always) show some specs. Grainger is real good in this regard.
3. Where there were specs, I found two grades of aluminum alloy shown for blind rivets - a 5056 and a 1100. The 5056 had significantly higher shear and grip strength specs than the 1100. I assume the 5056 would be a better choice for an aluminum boat used in salt water (since that's what my boat is made of).
4. Both the 5056 and 1100 were available with aluminum mandrels for the open end models.
5. For the closed end rivets, I could only find the 5056 alloy rivets with steel mandrels (I assume the 5056 is a harder alloy and requires a stronger pull to set). I did find one source (on Amazon) for closed end blind rivets with stainless steel mandrels, but those were shown as out of stock.
Since I wanted to use the closed end rivets and not have to worry about mandrel remnants rusting, I ended up going with the 1100 alloy. If I have a problem down the road, I'll just have to drill them out and try something else.
1. Most aluminum blind rivets I've found in retail outlets (Home Depot, etc.) have no specs. displayed.
2. On-line suppliers usually (not always) show some specs. Grainger is real good in this regard.
3. Where there were specs, I found two grades of aluminum alloy shown for blind rivets - a 5056 and a 1100. The 5056 had significantly higher shear and grip strength specs than the 1100. I assume the 5056 would be a better choice for an aluminum boat used in salt water (since that's what my boat is made of).
4. Both the 5056 and 1100 were available with aluminum mandrels for the open end models.
5. For the closed end rivets, I could only find the 5056 alloy rivets with steel mandrels (I assume the 5056 is a harder alloy and requires a stronger pull to set). I did find one source (on Amazon) for closed end blind rivets with stainless steel mandrels, but those were shown as out of stock.
Since I wanted to use the closed end rivets and not have to worry about mandrel remnants rusting, I ended up going with the 1100 alloy. If I have a problem down the road, I'll just have to drill them out and try something else.
