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12-06-2011, 03:31 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master 
1973 31' Sovereign
2007 20' Safari SE
Vintage Kin Owner
Wesley Chapel
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 886
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Right Size Drill Bit For Olympic Rivets
Hello everyone.
We are looking on removing our stack window as well as 1 of our VV.
We noticed that we will need olymplic rivets 5/32 to replace them.
After much research we noticed that Vintage Trailers offers the Drill Bit #20 as the option. We also noticed that Andy states that the right size bit is #21.
Any inputs?
Thanks
__________________
Still One Nation under GOD
2 chronicles 7:14
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12-06-2011, 04:03 PM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member 
1974 27' Overlander
Sault ste Marie
, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 166
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I measured a rivet with a gauge I had and found a number 22 drill bit was the right size. Number 20 is too big.....Phil.
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12-06-2011, 04:10 PM
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#3
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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#20 is what I use. Always a perfect fit for an Olympic or a bucked rivet.
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12-06-2011, 04:15 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master 
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VeggieBullet
Hello everyone.
We are looking on removing our stack window as well as 1 of our VV.
We noticed that we will need olymplic rivets 5/32 to replace them.
After much research we noticed that Vintage Trailers offers the Drill Bit #20 as the option. We also noticed that Andy states that the right size bit is #21.
Any inputs?
Thanks
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An Olympic rivet is 5/32 which is .15625 inches
#20 is .161
#21 is .159
#22 is .157
The best drill bit size to use is a #21, since a hole will not be perfectly round, unless using a drill press.
Therefore a #22 is too small and a #20 is too large.
Andy
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12-06-2011, 05:02 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member 
1961 16' Bambi
Las Cruces
, New Mexico
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 134
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
An Olympic rivet is 5/32 which is .15625 inches
#20 is .161
#21 is .159
#22 is .157
The best drill bit size to use is a #21, since a hole will not be perfectly round, unless using a drill press.
Therefore a #22 is too small and a #20 is too large.
Andy
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but that hinges on a perfectly round drill bit, perfectly true drill press, immovable landing table, 100% holding an airstream's drilling target perfectly still
"x" marks the spot. if you have all of the above it may work....if you have close enough you scored and will be proud...
i try to enjoy the imperfect world....
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12-06-2011, 05:27 PM
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#6
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by VeggieBullet
Hello everyone.
We are looking on removing our stack window as well as 1 of our VV.
We noticed that we will need olymplic rivets 5/32 to replace them.
After much research we noticed that Vintage Trailers offers the Drill Bit #20 as the option. We also noticed that Andy states that the right size bit is #21.
Any inputs?
Thanks
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I used the #20 with no problems
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12-06-2011, 06:25 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
1960 33' Custom
Athens
, Georgia
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,373
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The simple answer is to do what the manufacturer tells the installer to use, the last time I looked for an Olympic is was a #20. I use a #20. Using a drill bit that is the next size up from the fastener isn't always correct; if the fastener engineer specifies a size then that's your best bet; (in my opinion).
__________________
1960 Sovereign 33' Pacific Railroad Custom
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12-06-2011, 07:25 PM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member 
1974 27' Overlander
Sault ste Marie
, Ontario
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 166
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Gotta love the forums.....What you do, is take a wee piece of scrap aluminum, your drill and drill a hole or two in each size and decide for yourself. Andy says 21, I find 22 works for me and 20 is too sloppy.....Phil.
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12-06-2011, 08:31 PM
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#9
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Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,883
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There is a book for that.
Well, in Army aircraft maintenance we use this manual. If you look at table 7-4 on page 7-14, you'll see that for a 5/32nd rivet a #21 (0.1590) drill bit is specified. Of course an Airstream is not an aircraft, but I use a #21.
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
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12-06-2011, 08:38 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master 

1991 34' Excella
1963 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Central
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,920
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I've been lucky I guess...a 5/32 drill makes a hole that is physically impossible to be smaller than 5/32...that's what size I have used for the few dozen olympics and the few hundred buck's I've done...a big plus is the bits are available everywhere!
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12-06-2011, 10:55 PM
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#11
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Aluminum Falcon Mechanic
1972 31' Sovereign
Wesley chapel
, Florida
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,169
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.002  in an airstream... really?
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12-07-2011, 04:10 AM
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#12
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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This is one funny thread. So many experts here, time for me to exit. First axles, then tires, now numbered bit sizes...
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12-07-2011, 06:34 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master 
1960 33' Custom
Athens
, Georgia
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,373
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I can't believe your giving up Frank.
__________________
1960 Sovereign 33' Pacific Railroad Custom
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12-07-2011, 02:59 PM
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#14
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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There are many ways to skin an aluminum cat Truck
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12-07-2011, 03:30 PM
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#15
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Rivet Master 
1973 31' Sovereign
2007 20' Safari SE
Vintage Kin Owner
Wesley Chapel
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 886
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thanks guys
Wow!!!
This place is so great that all of your advice just reminds me of my ignorance on this subject 
Now I'm even scare to ask if that same Dril Bit can be used to drill the rivets out.
====
Ignorance is the worse kind of slavery
__________________
Still One Nation under GOD
2 chronicles 7:14
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12-07-2011, 04:06 PM
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#16
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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It can.
I however, drill the original buck rivets with an 1/8 bit. That generally gets rid of the head and shaft. Not always though. The original rivets were 1/8" with the bigger head. We now use 5/32" with smaller heads. I then drill it with a #20. I try my best to drill once, straight in, then once straight out. I do not push the bit in and out as some do. That makes for a sloppy hole. So far this seems to work just fine (for me).
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12-07-2011, 04:13 PM
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#17
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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I wanted to thank Top for this. I have it very firmly bookmarked. I did consult it and found that the #30 drill bits I use for the 1/8" closed end pop rivets is to code. There is a ton of useful info. I just might have to print it off and have it around the shop.
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12-07-2011, 04:20 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master 
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View
, Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
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Just be careful what you get from TOP. He actually likes helicopters.
__________________
"If it can't be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled or composted
then it should be restricted, redesigned or removed from production."
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12-07-2011, 04:28 PM
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#19
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Restorations done right
Commercial Member
1962 26' Overlander
1961 26' Overlander
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Baltimore
, Maryland
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,545
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My father flew helicopters in Vietnam. I have a soft spot for helicopters. I have a soft spot for Vietnam Vets too.
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12-07-2011, 07:38 PM
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#20
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Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,883
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 62overlander
I wanted to thank Top for this. I have it very firmly bookmarked. I did consult it and found that the #30 drill bits I use for the 1/8" closed end pop rivets is to code. There is a ton of useful info. I just might have to print it off and have it around the shop.
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You are very welcome Frank. We call it the sheet metal mechanic's bible. It has some of the knowledge and experience in Kip's head in an easily referenced, searchable format.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Melody Ranch
Just be careful what you get from TOP. He actually likes helicopters.
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I sure do.
Quote:
Originally Posted by 62overlander
My father flew helicopters in Vietnam. I have a soft spot for helicopters. I have a soft spot for Vietnam Vets too.
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I have a soft spot for them too. I really enjoy this website. Nearly every Aviation Battalion in the Army today can trace its lineage back to an aviation company that was baptized by fire in the jungles and rice paddies of Vietnam. Cheers to your Father and all of his pilot buddies, Frank!
And cheers to you MelodyRanch!
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
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