Right Size Drill Bit For Olympic Rivets

[VeggieBullet]

Now just wondering if the original rivets were 1/8" with the bigger head.
Why we are going now to the use of 5/32" with smaller heads?
Shouldn't we keep trying to keep the same size rivets or that is totally unrealistic?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by VeggieBullet

Now just wondering if the original rivets were 1/8" with the bigger head.
Why we are going now to the use of 5/32" with smaller heads?
Shouldn't we keep trying to keep the same size rivets or that is totally unrealistic?

Olympic rivets for Airstream usage have always been 5/32 shank, but with the same size "brazier head" as the 1/8 buck rivets.

That is so the looks do not basically change and the strength of the shank was maximized, so as to be similair to the buck rivets shan strength.

Andy

[VeggieBullet]

Found them online for a much better price than Vintage Trailer Supply.
Also noticed a small difference on certain measurements would still work fine?

[Darkspeed]

That is the type of rivet you use on the inside. They are not really weatherproof as the stem breaks off within the head and won't really match like the Olympic rivets

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Dark is very right about the not waterproof part. If you keep searching you will find "closed end" version that is water proof. I use that type as normal pop rivets. They are a nominal 1/8" however. I drill them with a #30, I used to just use an 1/8" but the hole always seemed too tight. With a #30 they fit the hole, well, like it was meant for it.

[Darkspeed]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

Dark is very right about the not waterproof part. If you keep searching you will find "closed end" version that is water proof. I use that type as normal pop rivets. They are a nominal 1/8" however. I drill them with a #30, I used to just use an 1/8" but the hole always seemed too tight. With a #30 they fit the hole, well, like it was meant for it.

Mcmaster Carr has 5/32 closed end stainless and aluminum pop rivets that I used on my belly pan. Everything that is visible on the exterior should be a bucked solid rivet or a blind Olympic rivet

[Frank's Trailer Works]

Mc Master Carr is my go to. I order online before 5pm and it arrives at 10 the next morning at no added cost.

[VeggieBullet]

Todd & Frank
Thanks guys.
We were searching and searching for a good site to get the rivets and other parts and thanks a lot for that one!
I'm very tempted to get the Stainless Steel but I'm thinking that is I need to drill these rivets out again on the future it will not be a pleasant situation so I'm more inclined towards the aluminum rivet.
Now this is so good that they have 5 options? I'm lost on this again. What part # should we get?
Thanks

5/32" Dia.—For Hole Size: 0.16"-0.164" (Drill Size #20)
0.063"-0.125"0.3"0.328"0.05"22035025097447A030 $11.17
0.126"-0.187"0.362"0.328"0.05"22035025097447A032$11.20
0.188"-0.25"0.425"0.328"0.05"22035025097447A035 $10.79
0.251"-0.375"0.55"0.328"0.05"22035025097447A040 $11.49
0.376"-0.5"0.675"0.328"0.05"22035025097447A041$ 13.23

[Darkspeed]

Well the aluminum is most often .032 thick so if joining two sheets you would need one with a minimum of .064 grip

For sheet work the first on list looks good
For going into ribs through a sheet maybe the second or third

[VeggieBullet]

Hi Todd.
Can these be shaved? By looking at the pics of the first one they don't really look like the Olympic.
These will be used for the VistaView and Stack windows.
97447A032

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by VeggieBullet

Hi Todd.
Can these be shaved? By looking at the pics of the first one they don't really look like the Olympic.
These will be used for the VistaView and Stack windows.

All Olympic rivets must be shaved, to look likr the buck rivets.

Andy

[VeggieBullet]

are the same than the olympic rivets?
We are looking at the Domed Aluminum
McMaster-Carr
Thanks

[Darkspeed]

Originally Posted by VeggieBullet

are the same than the olympic rivets?
We are looking at the Domed Aluminum
McMaster-Carr
Thanks

The mcmaster rivets will not look like an airstream rivet - they will look like a pop rivet.

To look like an airstream rivet you need Olympic rivets - when you pop them the stem sticks out so you can trim it down flush so it looks like a solid rivet.

[Darkspeed]

First is mcmaster

Second is olympic

When the Mcmaster pops the stem is broken off in the head so there will be a hole in the middle and it will not look like a solid rivet

[Darkspeed]

Here is a shot of the closed end rivet from mcmaster

[54Cruiser]

The reason a slightly oversized drill bit is used on rivets is so that the rivet will slip easily into the hole. Using a 5/32 bit would not be an issue doing 4 or 5 rivets but for production work it would be highly unproductive not to drill a slightly oversized hole. In airplane construction numbered drill bits are always used...#30 for 1/8 and # 20 for 5/32 etc. The 5/32 size is only the pre-pulled diameter, not the final pulled diameter, when a 5/32 rivet is pulled it will fill the #20 drill bit hole.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by NTRPRZ

The reason a slightly oversized drill bit is used on rivets is so that the rivet will slip easily into the hole. Using a 5/32 bit would not be an issue doing 4 or 5 rivets but for production work it would be highly unproductive not to drill a slightly oversized hole. In airplane construction numbered drill bits are always used...#30 for 1/8 and # 20 for 5/32 etc. The 5/32 size is only the pre-pulled diameter, not the final pulled diameter, when a 5/32 rivet is pulled it will fill the #20 drill bit hole.

Not when you use an Olypic rivet, since the rivet shank does not swell, but instead the back side splits into thirds which does nothing for the hole.

Andy

[VeggieBullet]

this is learning process is getting more and more interesting every day.
Now: What is the best source for buying Olympic Rivets? Don't really want to pay over $20 for just 100 of them. But if there is no other choice...

[desertair27]

Originally Posted by NTRPRZ

The reason a slightly oversized drill bit is used on rivets is so that the rivet will slip easily into the hole. Using a 5/32 bit would not be an issue doing 4 or 5 rivets but for production work it would be highly unproductive not to drill a slightly oversized hole. In airplane construction numbered drill bits are always used...#30 for 1/8 and # 20 for 5/32 etc. The 5/32 size is only the pre-pulled diameter, not the final pulled diameter, when a 5/32 rivet is pulled it will fill the #20 drill bit hole.

I just removed some solid rivets by chiseling the head off which was easier than I thought it'd be. Can you use this same removal method for Olympics?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by VeggieBullet

this is learning process is getting more and more interesting every day.
Now: What is the best source for buying Olympic Rivets? Don't really want to pay over $20 for just 100 of them. But if there is no other choice...

Most dealers charge at least 60 cents per olympic rivet.

Bag prices from them are always cheaper.

Andy