Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-04-2006, 10:49 AM   #1
Rivet Master
 
guy99's Avatar
 
1984 31' Airstream310
Dunsmuir , California
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,336
Images: 16
Rivet Nuts

Hi all, I'm having a lot of trouble with these and was hoping someone could tell me what's wrong.

I'm trying to install some rivet nuts in the side wall of the remodeled bathroom of our 1984 310 Limited MH. I drilled a hole the size of the outside diameter of the rivet nut, screw the nut onto the riveter, push the nut all the way into the hole, and squeeze the riveter while pressing in on the rivet nut. One of two things happens, either the bulge created in the nut ends up outside the hole or, if I squeeze too hard, the riveter pulls all the threads out of the aluminum rivet nut.

Any ideas?
__________________
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion - The Dalai Lama

1984 310 Limited Motorhome
Courtesy Parking (W/S/E/Wi-Fi) on I-5 in Northern California, 70 miles from Oregon border
guy99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2006, 10:57 AM   #2
Rivet Master

 
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
Images: 59
Are you sure you're not up against an obstruction inside the wall, like a rib? Either that, or you might have the wrong grip range.

I'm suprised you are pulling the threads out. Are you using the correct size mandrel? If you are using #8 or #10 screws, some have the same threads per inch and can fool ya.
markdoane is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2006, 11:12 AM   #3
Rivet Master
 
guy99's Avatar
 
1984 31' Airstream310
Dunsmuir , California
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,336
Images: 16
Mark,
I'm pretty sure I'm not hitting anything in the back. If there was a rib there I wouldn't need the nut. I'll check the mandril size but I'm pretty sure I've got the correct one.

As far as the grip range, I'm only trying to grip the inside skin so I don't think the grip range is too small, can it be too large?
__________________
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion - The Dalai Lama

1984 310 Limited Motorhome
Courtesy Parking (W/S/E/Wi-Fi) on I-5 in Northern California, 70 miles from Oregon border
guy99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2006, 11:20 AM   #4
Rivet Master
 
boatdoc's Avatar
 
1973 Argosy 26
Norristown , Pennsylvania
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 645
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by guy99
Hi all, I'm having a lot of trouble with these and was hoping someone could tell me what's wrong.

I'm trying to install some rivet nuts in the side wall of the remodeled bathroom of our 1984 310 Limited MH. I drilled a hole the size of the outside diameter of the rivet nut, screw the nut onto the riveter, push the nut all the way into the hole, and squeeze the riveter while pressing in on the rivet nut. One of two things happens, either the bulge created in the nut ends up outside the hole or, if I squeeze too hard, the riveter pulls all the threads out of the aluminum rivet nut.

Any ideas?
Hi guy99; Aluminum riv nuts require special handling. Here is what you must determine; Thickness of material you are installing them into.
Reach on them is very nominal unless you purchased extra
length.
The trick is to have a proper inside diameter heavy washer under the mandrel head, on top of the riv nut [very important]. Otherwise they collapse at the wrong place.
Remember to be gentle when setting aluminum riv nuts or you will pull the threads out. As soon as you feel higher resistance STOP. Fastener that you will put in it will finish the job. But, if the material you are installing them into is more than 0.030" you may not be able to form a collar because of available length.
#8 is rated for only 15 inch/lbs of torque. Get your wife to set them in, you Gorilla. Just a joke, Good luck, "Boatdoc"
boatdoc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2006, 12:32 PM   #5
Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
 
Inland RV Center, In's Avatar
 
Corona , California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
Images: 1
Quote:
Originally Posted by guy99
Hi all, I'm having a lot of trouble with these and was hoping someone could tell me what's wrong.

I'm trying to install some rivet nuts in the side wall of the remodeled bathroom of our 1984 310 Limited MH. I drilled a hole the size of the outside diameter of the rivet nut, screw the nut onto the riveter, push the nut all the way into the hole, and squeeze the riveter while pressing in on the rivet nut. One of two things happens, either the bulge created in the nut ends up outside the hole or, if I squeeze too hard, the riveter pulls all the threads out of the aluminum rivet nut.

Any ideas?
Rivnuts usually do not work very well in soft aluminum.

All airstream sheetmetal, inside and out, is soft.

Andy
__________________
Andy Rogozinski
Inland RV Center
Corona, CA
Inland RV Center, In is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2006, 12:39 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
Excella CM's Avatar
 
1978 31' Excella 500
Venice , California
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 1,067
If the material you are trying to rivet is soft, i.e. some kind of plastic, the bulge wil simply expand it and pull through. Soft, thiin materials use different fasteners. There is a good run down of the various choices in the McMaster-Carr catalogue, or on their website: http://www.mcmaster.com/
There are also several different rivet nuts out there. See: http://www.gesipausa.com/

I use a lot of the Gesipa 10-32 NF nuts and S.S. truss head philips screws in the excella. The Gesipa rivet nuts require their own setting tool but are tougher than the plain rivenuts sold by pop rivet vendors. They have a longitudinally serrated outer barrel that grips the sheet stock when the rivet nut is upset whichhelps prevent the nut from turning (a real nuisance when it occurs). They also come in steel.
__________________
"Not all who are laundering are washed" say Bill & Heidi

'78 Excella 500,"The Silver Pullit". vacuum over hydraulic disc brakes, center bath, rear twin. '67 Travelall 1200 B 4X4 WBCCI 3737
Excella CM is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How durable is a Cyclo polisher? What about a rivet shaver? Andy R Cleaning, Stripping & Polishing 14 01-12-2020 07:33 PM
Olympic rivet removal and installation PeterH-350LE Ribs, Skins & Rivets 90 11-07-2012 01:34 PM
Best rivet tool? Andy R Ribs, Skins & Rivets 9 09-24-2006 07:36 AM
rivet tools maznblu Ribs, Skins & Rivets 12 05-31-2006 05:51 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:51 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.