Where to buy rivets?

[cedboone]

We just bought a 2001 Bambi and it is missing 1 exterior rivet. I have read through these forums and saw pop and Olympic rivets mentioned. Where do I buy them and do I also need to buy a tool to put it on?

[Rog0525]

Originally Posted by cedboone

We just bought a 2001 Bambi and it is missing 1 exterior rivet. I have read through these forums and saw pop and Olympic rivets mentioned. Where do I buy them and do I also need to buy a tool to put it on?

Welcome aboard, cedboone. You need a 5/32 Olympic rivet. You should get extras to keep on hand. Vintage Trailer Supply is probably the least expensive place to buy them but they come in pkgs of 100. You should also get a tube of Vulkem and put a dab on the rivet when you install it. A standard pop rivet gun will do the job. You can shave the head with a Dremel tool if you have one.
I've used just an inexpensive mounted point in an electric drill to shave them, since I haven't had occasion to do very many. See pic below.
I'd be glad to mail you a few rivets if I had them, but I only have a couple left.
See step by step instructions on this thread.

[flyfshr]

Welcome to the forums and the world of Airstreaming. You're sure to have a great time. If/when you buy Olympic rivets, its best to not get the ones with the rubber seal. Over time, this rots away and leaves a gap for moisture to get in. Do as Roger says and put a small dab of Vulkem around the rivet shaft before setting it in place.

Brad
FF

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Rog0525

Vintage Trailer Supply is probably the least expensive place to buy them

Inland's price is less than theirs.

Andy

[Rog0525]

Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In

Inland's price is less than theirs.

Andy

Sorry, Andy, thus the word “probably”. It’s difficult to browse through your lengthy list of parts. One would have to know the shipping fees from both sources to determine the actual cost. Do you have Vulkem? The 5 oz aluminum sealer on your site doesn’t list a brand name or pic. I think I got a tube of Vulkem from you some time ago with the replacement water heater kit I ordered.
If I’m going to order Olympic rivets and Vulkem, I’d want to get both from the same place.