Choosing solid rivet size.

[i386]

My cap and hull are mated by this aluminum rub rail. It was originally fastened with solid aluminum rivets. I have decided to also use solid rivets in my restoration. The holes measure about 7/32" using the shank end of a drill bit. I would guess you're supposed to choose a rivet smaller than the hole and expect a standard amount of expansion of the rivet. I plan to use a heavy hammer head and ball peen hammer to buck these myself. I'll have about 65 rivets to set. My question is, what the proper size rivet to use in a 7/32" diameter hole?

 

[i386]

Re: Choosing solid rivet size.

At $7 for a box of 100, I just ordered 2 sizes. One of them will work.

 

[registeroot]

Re: Choosing solid rivet size.

i think you would struggle to get a 7/32" rivet in with a hammer and bar. usually requires a pneumatic rivet gun and tungsten alloy bar.

 

[Floyd M]

Re: Choosing solid rivet size.

My cap and hull are mated by this aluminum rub rail. It was originally fastened with solid aluminum rivets. I have decided to also use solid rivets in my restoration. The holes measure about 7/32" using the shank end of a drill bit. I would guess you're supposed to choose a rivet smaller than the hole and expect a standard amount of expansion of the rivet. I plan to use a heavy hammer head and ball peen hammer to buck these myself. I'll have about 65 rivets to set. My question is, what the proper size rivet to use in a 7/32" diameter hole?

I recently replaced about 300 or so solid rivets in my 74 SS. The original rivet sizes in the boat were 5/32 and 3/16 (most being 5/32). I was told by the factory that to replace solid rivets you want the rivet to fit flush with the hole, in other words no play. Many of the holes needed to be drilled to the next size. I learned that it is not very easy to remove solid rivets while not effecting the hole diameter. The 5/32 were drilled out to 3/16, the 3/16 to 1/4. Each new rivet was set using an aircraft pneumatic rivet gun and a bucking bar on the back side. You can use a hammer and bar by hand to rebuck rivets, but I don't think you will get enough compression of the rivet without a pneumatic rivet gun when putting in new rivets. Each rivet replaced was primed with gluvit prior to being bucked. If you are replacing rivets that are 7/32, I would either use the same diameter or drill to 1/4 if the holes are not round. I hope this helps.

Floyd