Rivet, we hardly knew ye

[WhereStream]

After banging around on some rough roads (Thanks, Tennessee) we got home to find an interior rivet had given up the ghost.

Are these hard to replace?

[skyguyscott]

Not at all.

1. use a 1/8" or slightly smaller drill bit and drill out any remaining old rivet shank from the rivet hole

2. using a Pop rivet tool, insert a 1/8" Aluminum rivet into the hole.

3. Pop the rivet.

You can get these tools and rivets anywhere, from big box stores, to your local hardware store -- even WalMart carries them. The rivets come in various packages, usually available with white or bare Al heads. The tools often also come packaged with an assortment of pop rivets.

[AlinCal]

Just be carefull and hold the tool with your free hand to prevent recoil when the rivet "pops" otherwise you can leave an unintended mark next to your new rivet.

[BIGED52]

AND..... Be sure to use only Aluminum rivets! They also can come in steel and stainless steel. Hope this helps, Ed

[WhereStream]

Thanks for the info.

I’ve got a rivet gun, the kind where you mash the handle to squeeze the rivet in place.

I’ll get some aluminum rivets, ⅛ inch, and have a go.

Thanks.

[rmkrum]

Make sure its an aluminum rivet with an aluminum mandrel...

Some have a steel (black looking) mandrel (the thing that looks like a nail) where you pull the rivet tight with the tool. What you want is a rivet where BOTH parts are aluminum-colored...(unless you like rust streaks....)

They make both, and we won't talk about how I know this is real easy to mess up...

[ALANSD]

get the color matching ones.online if big box doesn't carry the correct color.

[Wayne&Sam]

It's part of the Airstream life. Not a big deal.

[AtomicNo13]

Hmm, I would check for frame damage, a missing pop rivet can wreak havoc on the frame.
Only kidding, you could tow a million miles with no concequence.

Making pop ��

[Njg]

Had the same thing happen recently.. 1/8” by what for the river sizing? I.e. what depth of the river is necessary? Any recommendations on a preferred tool also?

[quietguy]

Originally Posted by AtomicNo13

Hmm, I would check for frame damage, a missing pop rivet can wreak havoc on the frame.
Only kidding, you could tow a million miles with no concequence.

Making pop ��

True. But only with the proper WD hitch and large TV!!

😐🧐🤨🙃

[WhereStream]

Are all of the interior rivets attached to a rib?

[rmkrum]

This is one of those "it depends" type questions.

Most of them are supposed to be into a frame (rib) or longeron (horizontal rib). Some will be simply tying the edges of two sheets together at intervals It's possible to tell by pressing on the rivet vicinity and seeing if it feels set into something 'solid' without moving much under light pressure..

Other times, especially with internal pop rivets, it's a close or clean miss situation, but that's the nature of blind riveting...sometimes you miss structure.

Do be careful, remember that wiring and plumbing can be hidden between the inner and outer skins, and you only have about 1 1/2 inch space between inner and outer MAX. Use short, sharp bits and limit drill bit penetration to 1/2 inch or less with a drill stop--to help prevent screwing hidden stuff up, or punching through the exterior...

[Papou]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

After banging around on some rough roads (Thanks, Tennessee) we got home to find an interior rivet had given up the ghost.

Are these hard to replace?

Airstream use the "Multi Grip" type rivet inside their travel trailer.
Airstream part number is 330155.
I paid 22 cents (Can dollar) per rivet.
Picture of these attached.

Michel

[HHPJ]

I find this thread very riveting.

[rmkrum]

Rimshot!!!

Folks, try the veal, HHPJ will be here all week...

[WhereStream]

Here's an update. I sent a message to someone at the Airstream hive in Ohio. He said he'd send me a few of the rivets Airstream uses, and he did (about half a dozen). Thanks, Airstream guy.

I went out this morning to plug the rivet hole, but ... the old rivet is still holding its ground, down in there. I was hoping it had given loose.

I know I need to drill it out, but dang, gut check ... I hate the idea of using "drill" and "Airstream" in the same sentence.

So, if I have this right, I get a drill bit no larger, and perhaps a shade skinnier, than the rivet, tape a mark on the bit so I know when deep enough (how deep? I'm guessing, I guess), then hold my breath and drill it out.

Got that right?

[ITSNO60]

Originally Posted by WhereStream

So, if I have this right, I get a drill bit no larger, and perhaps a shade skinnier, than the rivet, tape a mark on the bit so I know when deep enough (how deep? I'm guessing, I guess), then hold my breath and drill it out.

Got that right?

That sounds right....Alternatively I have had great success drilling out rivets with a small step bit. Many times when you punch thru with a regular bit it will pull itself in before you can stop it and you can go deeper than you had intended. The step bit only lets the tip punch thru.

[Burnside Bob]

This thread reminded me of my own rivet problem. Just got it fixed!!

Anyhow, if you take the cap from a spray can and drill thru it dead center you can make your own combo depth stop and drill filing capture device. If you don't have a spray can you can cut off the bottom of a 1 or 2 liter plastic pop bottle, which, usually being clear, you can see thru for drilling out those pesky overhead holes.

Here's a pic:



Drill away my friends!!

[blkmagikca]

I bought this tool for removing rivets -ntage Trailer Supplyi

https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com...-p/vts-497.htm