Closed End Blind Rivets

[Wishin I was Fishin]

Good day all, I just started replacing some of my leaking rivets with some of the closed end blind rivets as recommended by some on this forum. What I found is pretty inconsistent results with the hand riveter. Some of the rivets would "bulb" up pretty good, while others didn't seem to produce much of a bulb before the mandrel snapped off. Should I be worried about this? While they appear to be fairly snug I'm still a little hesitant to call it good.
Also, the last few rivets I tried to set, the mandrel would not break off at all. Any idea why this might happen? This is a brand new hand tool so I wouldn't think it would go bad so quickly, or am I doing something wrong?
Thanks in advance for all your help. I'm glad to finally get back to this project as my only boat has been in dry dock (my garage) for over two years now.

 

[BaileysBoat]

Re: Closed End Blind Rivets

Are these aluminum with a stainless mandrel?

Be carefull, a lot of poor quality offshore hardware out there.

Sounds like your rivet tool is slipping. Get a good one from Snap-on.

 

[redfury]

Re: Closed End Blind Rivets

If the hole for the rivet is too lose, you won't get good results. You are better off enlarging the hole slightly and using a larger rivet than trying to force a smaller rivet to work ( which is what it sounds like you are experiencing, along with some slippage ).

 

[Bondo]

Re: Closed End Blind Rivets

This is a brand new hand tool so I wouldn't think it would go bad so quickly,

Ayuh,... Brand New don't necessarily mean much....

Mine are Marson,... I think Snap-On rebadges these...They Look the same on the Snap-On truck...

The rivets themselves are supposed to Tighten,....
Bulbing may, or may not be part of the equation...

 

[Wishin I was Fishin]

Re: Closed End Blind Rivets

Sounds to me like I might have a combo of potential problems. Try as you might when drilling the old rivets out it seems (for me at least) impossible to hit the drill bit in the existing hole and you end up alittle off center making a slightly larger hole. I was using 3/16" aluminum/aluminum rivets so maybe I will go get some 1/4" and see how that goes.
My plan at least to this point was to dab some 5200 on the rivets when installing as suggested, then later go inside and apply gluvit after 5200 has set up. I'm assuming 5200 and gluvit are compatible?

 

[Wishin I was Fishin]

Re: Closed End Blind Rivets

Started looking for alum/alum 1/4" rivets after the last dicussion or suggestion. I can't find an alum rivet with alum mandrel with a .063-.125 grip range. I think I can get a alum rivet steel mandrel within that grip range. Any reason why I can't go with the steel mandrel rivets?

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Closed End Blind Rivets

Started looking for alum/alum 1/4" rivets after the last dicussion or suggestion. I can't find an alum rivet with alum mandrel with a .063-.125 grip range. I think I can get a alum rivet steel mandrel within that grip range. Any reason why I can't go with the steel mandrel rivets?

Try here...:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#rivets/=gjf4x

They have anything that you could ever need...and then some!

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: Closed End Blind Rivets

Another click...and I found your exact request:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#rivets/=gjgm0

Bookmark this site...you will be using them for all of your marine fastener needs.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Closed End Blind Rivets

Started looking for alum/alum 1/4" rivets after the last dicussion or suggestion. I can't find an alum rivet with alum mandrel with a .063-.125 grip range. I think I can get a alum rivet steel mandrel within that grip range. Any reason why I can't go with the steel mandrel rivets?

When you mix metals you run the risk of galvanic corrosion.........

If you can find a rivit with a longer grip ....... you can drop an aluminum washer on the other side then pop it.