Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

[joulian]

Some good advice would be helpful.

I removed the transom supports to replace the plywood support that had rotted out.

I have never installed rivets of this nature and especially not in a marine type installation.

I am thinking I should take to the local marina and let them do it. Anything i need to know to tell them tell them?

Its an aluminum jon boat 16' x 4' ( will have a 25hp on it )

 

[Auger01]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

They do make pop rivets that are designed for structural applications. All you would need to install them is a puller. You may be able to use screws or bolts to replace the rivets. Its is hard to say without pictures of what you are trying to do.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

Closed end blind rivets will work well for your application.

Here's a vid on how to install them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0MA1-5NXjs&feature=related

You can buy them online here along with the setting tool:
http://www.rivetsonline.com/rivets-en/blind-rivets-en/closed-end-blind-rivets.html

The aluminum rivets with the steel mandrel are the strongest and are what I use.

 

[joulian]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

Mine are the solid ones. THanks for the links

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

Mine are the solid ones. THanks for the links

I understand that, and they can be replaced with the closed end blind rivets. The rivets that were drilled out in the boat in the video were solid rivets too.

These blind rivets are as close to solid rivets as you can get, but much easier to install since it only takes one person.

If you want to go with solid rivets, they sell those on the Jay Cee site too... but it takes 2 people to install them.

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

The closed end pop/blind rivets will work for a while but the will loosen up in time. Unless you want to replace them in a couple of years use hard rivets. To do them properly you need a rivet gun and a steel block and some expierence. If you can't reach both sides you will need two people. If they are not done right they will leak. I don't know where you are but if I were you I would have someone that knows how do it for you. If your local marina can do it thats where I would go. I worked at an aluminum boat manufacturer for 10 years and the guys that did the rivets were professonals, it's just not that easy to do it right.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

If there are only a few, you can use stainless steel bolts, dipped in 3M 5200 and secured with a nyloc washer. Not the prettiest repair, but it will hold up.

 

[lakelover]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

If you decide to go with SS nuts & bolts, here's a source with very reasonable prices and excellent service:

http://www.boltdepot.com/Catalog.aspx

 

[Brenn]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

how many rivets are we talking? their not really all that hard to do.especially if you have a helper.It all comes down to what youre comfortable with.

 

[joulian]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

about 20. Ya but how do you get the solid rivets to flare? Is there a tool? anyone have a vid. I don't know what its called so I don't think I could find it on Youtube.... thanks for everyones suggestions..

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

No special tool really. You just have one person strike the rivet with one hammer while the other holds a large, solid chunk of metal such as a 3 lb. sledge hammer on the other side to flatten the rivet. Its' more about teamwork and technique than anything else.

 

[Auger01]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

What you need to have to drive solid rivets is a pneumatic rivet gun AND a bucking bar or the right size. Its not hard to do and if you mess up, you can always drill it out and try again. Rivets are used extensively in aircraft so you might widen you search on youtube to aircraft. aircraftspruce.com might also have what you are looking for.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

about 20. Ya but how do you get the solid rivets to flare? Is there a tool? anyone have a vid. I don't know what its called so I don't think I could find it on Youtube.... thanks for everyones suggestions..

Take your boat to a shop, if you don't install the rivets right your boat will leak.

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

Take your boat to a shop, if you don't install the rivets right your boat will leak.

I agree.. for 20 rivs and 2 guys at the end of the day thurs or fri can pop them in for a 12 pack ( it would take just a few minutes ).

YD.

 

[Caine20]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

For 20 rivets do it yourself, cheap easy and fast with a little help from a buddy. I actually replaced rivets about 10 years ago on the boat I am restoring now with my grandfather and all we used was a hammer and 8lb. block of steel and they never loosened or leaked.
You would waste money bringing it to someone that would probably charge some outragous price to do something that should only cost a few bucks.

 

[Grandad]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

Hi joulian, I found these 2 sites very helpful when I replaced about 60 rivets.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hB3rIECtxM
http://dad.walterfamily.org/rv/TonyBingelis/Rivet Gun Notes and Riveting Tips.html
I used a standard cheap air chisel, which is not the approved rivet gun, but it worked fine for my Holiday hull repair (see link in my signature). I recommend that you invest in the correct .401" rivet attachment (about $10 at Aircraft Spruce). Keep your air pressure down to about 40 PSI. Don't use a bucking bar that's overly heavy. It's supposed to dance on the flat end of the rivet in response to the application of the rivet tool to the rounded head. You'll get the hang of it easily, especially if you experiment on scrap pieces before you hammer on your hull. - Grandad

 

[joulian]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

I have called every marina with in 1 hr drive and no one does rivets. One guy told me the same as mentioned here with the big rivet gun. He said put silicone not epoxy though. Which is better silicone or epoxy?

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

I have called every marina with in 1 hr drive and no one does rivets. One guy told me the same as mentioned here with the big rivet gun. He said put silicone not epoxy though. Which is better silicone or epoxy?

The marine epoxy by Loctite is better, or use 3M 5200. Both can be found in the adhesive section of the paint depts. at Wal-mart and Home Depot. Silicone isn't for use below the waterline on a boat.

The Loctite marine epoxy will have a full cure in 24 hrs., the 3M 5200 takes 7 days to cure.

http://www.toolup.com/loctite_35210...ine-gel.aspx?gclid=CKy1vfGY3rACFc6R7QodbHLT1Q

 

[joulian]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

5200 is what one guy did suggest , but I was not familiar with it so it sort of went over my head. Thanks for the info.... Jigngrub

 

[kfa4303]

Re: Had to remove rivets. Should I take to a shop to get new ones installed

3M 5200 is a sort of marine caulk/adhesive. It's great stuff, a little gloopy, but good. It dries firm, but flexible whereas the JB weld dries super hard and can then be sanded, machined, primed and painted. They also make a fast curing version of 5200 if you don't have the time for the regular stuff. You should be able to find it and/or the JB weld at any Lowes/HD. Just follow the directions on the label and you'll be good to go. Here are some pics.