1958 Overlander Restoration

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by Ken J

. . . YES! you can do it - I also had the buck riveting fear - Its easy and fun - the only thing that you have to make sure is that you have the air hammer firmly on the rivet - otherwise it can slip off - if the truth be told - I bucked about 10 rivets as practice at the most before I went for it on the trailer - had 3-4 out of 100's that I mess up on - my wife and I did it together - she holds the bar and I do the gun - a $10 harbor freight gun I might add.

This forum and the VAC forum got me through this restoration thing - it will get you through it too - sooooo keep asking away!

Ken J

I've searched and haven't found an answer to my question . . . so I'm going to "butt in" and ask: Do they make a Non-Pneumatic "Rivet Bucking Hammer", like an electric one? Harbor Freight didn't seem to have one. I need to replace some rivets around the Door Jamb where you're able to see both sides/ends of the rivet, which means I can't use my low tech olympic rivets.
Thanks, Mark

[Ken J]

Mark

To my knowledge they do not make an electric gun. I would not think they could make an electric hammer that would be as fast as the air hammer. It only takes about a 1-2 second shot to set the rivet.

Sooo ohboy! You get to buy some new tools. Air hammer $10.00 Compressor $400 rivet set (from memory) $50.00. Seeing those beautiful set rivets - priceless

Ken

[1959newbie]

Mark,

Here's a couple of sites to look at:

HAND RIVET SQUEEZER from Aircraft Spruce

Rivet Squeezer & Accessories: Aircraft parts and Pilot Supplies. Since 1969. Call the Chief Geek (866-464-4368) 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

There are things called "rivet squeezers" -- both pneumatic and hand-operated, I believe -- but not sure any of them are cheap. I'd call Aircraft Spruce or SkyGeek and ask them what your most economical solution might be.

Good luck -- if I never have to replace another rivet, it'll be OK with me!

[Aerowood]

Nobody that I know of has the strength to squeeze 5/32 AD rivets with a hand squeezer.

[Ken J]

Lynne

I think what Mark was referring to were buck rivets - you have to use a gun and a bucking bar behind them in order to set the rivet.

Ken J.

[Aerowood]

AD rivets are solid shank or "buck rivets", the complete part number is MS20470AD5-X. These rivets can be installed with a rivet gun (3X) 5/32 rivet set, and A bucking bar, or a pneumatic rivet squeezer with the proper jaws. Hand rivet squeezers are available but they have limited use and the capacity generally does not exceed 1/8 AD rivets for the bigger units. The pneumatic rivet gun is by far the cheapest and most versatile method of installing solid shank rivets. Pneumatic rivet squeezers can run a couple thousand apiece and have limited aeras where they can be used. I have never seen an electric unit of any kind to install solid shank rivets.

[Overlander & Sea]

What a great restoration job! It really looks good. I know one day my Overlander will need the same and I also would like to keep the orginal layout. What did you do about you fresh, grey, and black water tanks-locations? Also, your light fixtures, like the one above your kitchen sink, did you find replacement covers for those?

[Ken J]

Rick

I rebuilt as it was, there are no grey tank - for potty since we only do...ummmm #1 I just used a porta potty - works great, less hassle. For fresh water I'm using a small tank I purchased from Marks Rv (on line).

On the light fixtures, I was lucky and found some on E-bay - probably paid too much from them, but what the heck.

You can probably make some from bended sheet plastic if you need to. All other light fixtures I had all the pieces and rebuilt them.

Ken

[Ken J]

I am really seeing the end of the tunnel now - front gaucho is finished and installed - also a picture of Lewster himself installing my new a/c.

Next job is to finish my polish job and remove those ugly swirls.

Ken J.

[NorCal Bambi]

Ken J, nothing like having the end in sight. We've put about 12,000 miles on our trailer since we finished it. enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.
Don

[Streamin 65]

You'd better buy some of these!

Stanchions for Hanging Ropes

It'll help keep order to the crowds who will gather when you pull in somewhere!

Nice rig! --dave

[Ken J]

Thanks - I'm slowly using it on trips - when you rebuild one of these, you want to make sure everything holds together - so far so good -

I think I'll pass on the Stanchions for the hanging ropes - so far I've been able to hold the crowds back myself

Ken J.

[62overlander]

WOW!!!! WHAT AN INSRIRATION!!!!If i didn't want to stay on this forum I would be using curse words to show how much i am impressed by your project. I have been reading all the older Overlander threads in order to create a linear plan for bringing our 62 back to original shape. Thank you for sharing... WOW, you should be very proud of yourself and wife should be proud of herself in supporting you throughout the 2 1/2 years it took.

[Ken J]

Thank you very much for the kind words - we are now on 3 1/2 years and I've declared it finished. In reality its about 98% done - lots a little piddly stuff to do that I'm not in any hurry to do. This weekend we are taking it to our first vintage rally, so hopefully I'll post of picture or two.

Yours looks great too - looks like its in excellent shape! Much much better than what I start with. Good luck, welcome to the forums and keep us posted on your trailer.

BTW, my wife did give me a hard time for posting the above gaucho pictures with the tags showing on the pillows - - oh well, its a guy thing...

Ken J.