Rivet Removal Questions

[trout-fly]

hello,,,i what to to drill out the rivets on the outside of my airsteam,,,i`ve looked around this forum,,,but i can`t find the way to do it,,,the inside ones are not a problem,,, the outside ones are ...do i drill from the inside because the out side ones are rounded,,, the drill bit will slip off...do i dipple the the round spot,,,,thanks keith

[overlander63]

It's really not hard to do.
Go to your local hardware store, and get one of those spring-loaded center punches. Put it on the center of the rivet, and push it until the spring deploys in the punch. You then have a dimple for a drill bit.

[gwchitty]

Hi Troutfly,

There are many ways to drill out these rivets. I made a tool from a 3/4 inch nut and drilled the proper size rivet removal hole straight thru from one flat to the opposite flat at a drill press. Then I drilled one of the holes with the tip of a 1/4 inch drill bit until I had a dimple the diameter of the 1/4 inch drill bit. Then you put the 1/4 inch - dimple side of the tool on the rivet head. It will pilot the rivet head drill bit right at the center of the buck rivet. No sliding around, no "slip off and damage the sheet". Someone will chime in with the correct size rivet removal drill or you can do a search on this subject as its been covered before.

[silverleeper]

What are you using as the replacement rivet? This could determine what size drill bit to use to remove the rivet. This thread shows a punch tool. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f381...oval-4057.html

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by silverleeper

This thread shows a punch tool. http://www.airforums.com/forums/f381...oval-4057.html

Thanks, that was the punch I was referring to.

[gwchitty]

I think the corect drill bit for a 5/32 rivet is #21. for a 1/8 rivet use a #30.

[goransons]

PM Flyrc, Wally loaned me a great tool that centers over the rivet (much like a rivet shaver) but drills right through the center of the rivet, and when you let up on it, it pops the rivet head off the drill bit.

[flyrc]

Originally Posted by goransons

PM Flyrc, Wally loaned me a great tool that centers over the rivet (much like a rivet shaver) but drills right through the center of the rivet, and when you let up on it, it pops the rivet head off the drill bit.

The tool that Scott is referring to is found at "Aircraft Tool Supply | Online Shopping Main Page" The tool number is PN 1341A I also ordered a second bit, just in case I loaned out the tool and the bit was damaged. The PN for the bit is 5000-21L. It is a neat little tool. You can set the depth you want to drill so you don't drill into the skin. Have fun, Wally
P.S. They must be on sale, I paid over $50 for mine.

[Minno]

Brown Tool sells the same removal tool. I'm getting one next Spring.

Rivet Removal Tool

Chris

[trout-fly]

thanks for all the info,,,this has to be the best site in the world ,,,i know i`ll complete this trailer,,,,,thanks again to everybody,,,,keith