Baja SS 18 RIVITS RIVITS !!

[Maximerc]

Well the engine is off the boat and I pulled the bumper strip off the boat, it was rivited on. underneath another thousand rivits ! one every 2 1/2 inches I am not quite half way arond drilling them out. I wonder as I am doing this if rivits will go back in ok and hold in these same holes or if I will have to fill them and redrill?

 

[voxmorgan]

Re: Baja SS 18 RIVITS RIVITS !!

Maximerc,<br /> Provided you are using the proper size drill bit you will be able to reuse the original holes. If you are using a bit that is larger than the original hole you may be able to purchase a larger diameter rivet and once again use the original holes. If you are unable to do either of these try and us a smaller drill bit next time

 

[Maximerc]

Re: Baja SS 18 RIVITS RIVITS !!

Vox<br /> I am using a drill bit that is just under the size of the rivit body . Most times the head does not come right off. However many times the rivit spins as it decompresses, then as I try to pull the drill out the body enlarges the hole.

 

[voxmorgan]

Re: Baja SS 18 RIVITS RIVITS !!

It sounds like you should be able to just re-rivet the boat with the same size rivets as used originally. Maybe try a few and see how they work or you can look at your local hardware store and see if they have a larger diameter rivet. If so you could re-drill the holes with a the proper diameter bit for the new larger diameter rivet and you'll be all set.

 

[bounder4465]

Re: Baja SS 18 RIVITS RIVITS !!

I reused my original holes where I could place a backing washer on the inside. I bought long shank 3/16 rivets and special backing washers from a racing supply shop. Racers use the backing washers for aluminum panels to keep the hole from opening up. I tried 1/4 washers from the hardware store first, but they were loose. The ones from the racers fit perfectly on the rivet stud, and would draw down tight.