Rivet gun

[tomifost]

I was wondering what a good model/type of rivet gun would be for repairing the seam where the 13 panels meet in the interior.

Also, as a 6'2 tall man, I was thinking about moving the center top shelf next to the right one. That way I can do dishes, brush teeth, etc. without killing my back.
Pics included, its kinda messy, but ya get the point. Thanks!

[68 TWind]

I would say buy a good quality hand rivet gun and since you have so many rivets to set one of the Harbor Freight guns:

https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-...ter-61482.html.

They make another one that will pull smaller rivets and is a bit cheaper. For interior it might be all you need.
https://www.harborfreight.com/3-16-i...ter-93458.html

I have had one for a while and had no problems. It was a "hand and time saver" when reinstalling the interior of my Trade Wind. It really speeds up the work and my arthritic hands loved it!

[tomifost]

Why/how is the more expensive one different? I'm new... ;-)

[rmkrum]

The more expensive one has heads for a wider range of rivets. IIRC, four sizes instead of the more common three sizes.

The largest pop rivet most use on Airstreams is only 3/16 diameter. (The length does not matter to the pop rivet gun...)

[tomifost]

Thanks. I appreciate it!

[Leilanisteve]

Do all broken rivets require drilling to remove the retained fragment? I need to reattach my jack plate but the rivet AS gave me won’t insert all the way. I assume there is a fragment blocking the hole.

[rmkrum]

A drill and a bit in the same diameter as the rivet is always handy for making sure the hole is clear. Just don’t go any deeper that the thickness of the metal. Wires and pipes hide around the hole, and will jump over to intercept the drill bit by sacrificing themselves[emoji3]

Another method is a “tapered pin punch” in the rivet diameter slipped into the hole by hand and wiggled around to clear the fragment.

[tomifost]

It seems like I need an air compressor for this set up. That's gonna be more spent than earned. Are hand riveters good for interior?

[rmkrum]

Yes. They will work. Just be careful. They tend to recoil when the rivet pops and can scratch the interior. Some use blue painters tape and a pad to prevent damage.

They also make pop rivet tools that are powered by a cordless drill. Look on Amazon for them.

[tomifost]

One last (hopefully) rivet question. Do you know what length? I'm trying to order 1/8 sized rivets but there's multiple options that go with that. 1/8 x 1/8, 3/8, 5/16, etc...

[rmkrum]

1/8 by 3/8 should be good for interior