Rivets: size, where to buy, etc.

[Airstreamdmb]

anyone know the correct size rivets and best place to buy these in larger quantites? I looked at Home Depot and didn't find a size that looked correct. They all had much larger heads on them. I assume they are all the same size interior and exterior. If not please clarify the appropriate sizes for the airstreams. I assume they are all aluminum.

[wasagachris]

Stephen there are different rivets used for different locations. Almost all of the interior is pop riveted with 1/8" pop rivets. They are commonly available anywhere. The belly pan is pop riveted with 3/16" pop rivets. The exterior shell is riveted with solid buck rivets which are 1/8". Vintage trailer supply sells all these sizes of rivets. I got the 1/8" and 3/16 large flange rivets from Fastenal. Pop rivets and buck rivets use different tools and methods to attach them.

[Kevin245]

You might consider looking at Home | Fastenal. They also have a store in Saratoga Springs that appears to be close to you.

Kevin

[Aage]

The rivets for the interior of many AS trailers are in three or four different colours, a dark brown, beige, white, and one other I can't remember.

Those are stocked in the Airstream Store at the plant in Jackson Center, OH.

[68 TWind]

Get a good selection of different lengths on the 1/8 in. pop rivets for the interior. You will need all 3 of the common lengths. Mostly the short ones, but some medium and a few of the really long ones. Fastenal will sell them in bulk.

[Klatawa]

We are in the process of reinstalling the interior sheet metal and have already installed the front fiberglass end caps on our 1965 Tradewind. all of the interior sheet metal will use 1/8 dia by 1/8 pull pop rivets. you will use 1/8 dia by 1/4" pull pop rivets for the end caps and any sheet metal that attaches to the end caps. I just finished patching the old heater, hot water access holes and moved one access door. For these areas I used 5/32 Olympic rivets. I got these revits from Vintage Trailer supply.
In our area I have to go to Home Depot and Lowes to find the other rivets neather store have the full assortment. I have checked with Fastenal and they did not have every rivet that I wanted and you had to purchase 500 at a time.
We are rebuilding a 1965 Tradewind we have replaced the floor some weld repair on the frame reinsulated and changed some wiring. We are changing the floor plan also.