HELP! I don't know how to do a furnace patch

[robwok]

I ordered aluminum of the right type for my 64 from VTS. I pulled out my old furnace, and now have an ugly jagged hole. Would like to make the patch. question is, would you put the patch on the outside, or inside? Does there have to be a certain edge to the panel? Has anyone done this where they can forward me a link on the forums? I couldn't find one myself.

I have the buck rivets and vulkem waiting. By the way, do I have to use a buck rivet gun, or can I chock the buck rivet tip into my air chisel?

Thanks!

Rob.

[ventport]

The patch goes on the outside. Can't help with the buck rivet question though.

[Aage]

What shape will you do, round? Square? or are you considering cutting out a piece looking like the sate of Virginia?

[mccrosti]

I just did a fairly sustantial patch on my Overlander I used Olympic rivets and a shaving tool. I posted video at the Vap Facebook page and Id be happy to walk you through the process.

[mccrosti]

The patch is also on a thread here called "slight accident".

[Silver Hawk]

I used Olympic rivets and didn't want to invest in the shaving tool. I used a 4 1/2" grinder with a fine wheel to grind off the top of the Olympic rivets. Use a soft touch - it's aluminum), and do a little at a time at first till you get the feel. At one foot they look good, and at 2 feet you can't tell my rivets from the original AS factory rivets!

[putback]

I tried an air chisel once when I'd loaned out my gun. Kinda like driving finish nails with a sledge hammer. No control, rough on the alum! The furnace was shot on my '64. I removed it did some slight mods to the original exterior pieces and riveted them back in place, looked unchanged. Two yrs later I installed a modern furnace using the original '64 exterior parts. I have to move the furnace location on one I'm doing now. I'm going with another hatch door where the hole is, make a good place to store the little charcoal grill. You can't really hide a patch, but you can disguise it!

[robwok]

Originally Posted by putback

I tried an air chisel once when I'd loaned out my gun. Kinda like driving finish nails with a sledge hammer. No control, rough on the alum!

Thank you so much for the feedback. That did it for me. However, I may just do the repair in olympic rivets since it's not structural.

[tkasten]

Originally Posted by robwok

Thank you so much for the feedback. That did it for me. However, I may just do the repair in olympic rivets since it's not structural.

I have replaced the furnace and just recently replaced the original water heater on our 65. I installed patches for both using Olympic rivets. I have the shaver tool as I also added a couple of other patches and awning rails over curb side, front & rear windows. After shaving and polish it's very hard to tell they are not buck rivets.