drilling out pop-rivets, ideal bit size? and replacement rivet size - thanks

[masha]

I'm at it again - this winter I've decided to strip the carpet out of my 2nd car and have the interior panels powder-coated. This was very sucessful last time.

 

Obviously I have over 300 rivets to drill-out and I recall last time someone kindly told me exactly what drill-bit size to use so as to efficiently remove the heads and not enlarge the holes for next time. (was it 3, 3.5, 4mm?)

 

advice greatly appreciated as would be the replacement rivet size (I recall ordering 500 of these last time in anodised black finish to match, but again can't recall the size ordered through a local tool store)

 

thanks

Matt Stears

ms81@cant.ac.uk

[Harry Flatters]

Matt, a 4mm drill should be just what you need.

 

*arrowright*Harry Flatters *arrowright*

AKA Steve Mell

 

Edited by - Harry Flatters on 2 Dec 2002 09:49:08

[masha]

perfect Steve thanks for that

M

[I reply to every thread]

Isn't your chassis going to sound like a maracus? (No idea on the spelling of that)

[I reply to every thread]

Isn't your chassis going to sound like a maracus? (No idea on the spelling of that)

 

OK so how did I post twice when the first was timed out

 

Edited by - AVES on 2 Dec 2002 12:38:44

[Harry Flatters]

To stop the maracas effect - cover most of the holes with masking tape, then at strategic intervals spray in waxoil. That should stop the buggers rattling ❗

 

*arrowright*Harry Flatters *arrowright*

AKA Steve Mell

[Guy Lowe]

Seriously, how do you get the rivet heads out?

[Paul McKenzie]

You don't get the heads out... and they don't rattle. Seriously, if you can hear the rivets rattling in the chassis tubes above the exhaust, induction, gearbox,fuel pump, wind and tyre noise, then you can't be driving a seven

Paul

[DaveL]

I belive that 3mm rivet are used and a 3.25 clearance bit should be used!

Hope this helps.

[Peter Carmichael]

The remains of the steel rivet mandrel live inside the aluminium rivet. This makes the drill wander and cause wide spread damage. It is a good idea to drill initially to open up the hole and as soon as progress stops, give the mandrel a tap with a small punch and hammer. You can use a smaller drill than the rivet size because the thin wall of aluminium that is left is easy to break through. This method causes minimal damage to surrounding surfaces.

[SLR No.77]

Caterham standard rivet size is 5/32" if I remember correct. I asked them for some of the smaller size to refit my carbon wing protectors - parts dept stated "only size we have is 5/32", which they then sent me. Fine for everthing else but not for the wing protectors - obviously there's nobody assembling the cars at Caterham who's actually noticed the difference ................

 

Stu.