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Author Topic: Removing Rivets  (Read 6837 times)

Nick1911

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Removing Rivets
« on: January 13, 2011, 10:33:19 PM »
Lets say you want to pull a part off a truck in a junkyard, but said part is riveted to the frame with several 1/2 inch rivets.

House rules state:
Quote
REMINDER!!! THIS IS FOR YOUR SAFETY AND OTHERS
PLEASE NO Jacks, Torches, Grinders or anything that can cause a fire.

How would you cut the rivets?
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41magsnub

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2011, 10:37:05 PM »
Detcord
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AJ Dual

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2011, 10:37:47 PM »
Spring loaded self striking punch. Dimple the middle of the rivet.

Then drill the head off with a 1/2 inch cobalt steel drill bit right until you can dimple into the center where the shaft of the rivet should be. Then you're just left with a ring of rivet head that just falls right off.
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CNYCacher

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2011, 10:39:19 PM »
I guess I would drill.  Something larger than the rivet just enough to take the head off.  Then I would try to drive it out with a punch if needed, or drill it with a 1/2 or 3/8 if that doesn't work
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AZRedhawk44

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2011, 10:41:08 PM »
Drill.

I also don't consider a battery-powered dremel with a small cutter head to be a "grinder."  I'd use that.  the sparks would be so minimal, especially on low speed.
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41magsnub

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2011, 10:41:51 PM »
Got a battery powered Sawzall?

Possibly a big center punch to get a start and then drill the sucker out?  Admittedly that would be a lot of drilling.
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Nick1911

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2011, 10:44:26 PM »
Hrm, theres no power out there, so whatever is used, it will need to be battery powered.

A cordless drill might work, provided a decent bit is used.
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zxcvbob

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2011, 10:48:58 PM »
Quote from: Nick1911 on January 13, 2011, 10:44:26 PM
Hrm, theres no power out there, so whatever is used, it will need to be battery powered.

Unless you have a little portable generator (like a Honda inverter, or those Chinese 2-strokes)
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HeroHog

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2011, 10:58:35 PM »
Grind/Chisel the head off and drive it out with a flat tipped punch.
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Nick1911

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2011, 11:05:30 PM »
I've never tired to manually chisel off a bolt that large.  This could be fun!  Or tiring.

Too bad they won't let me use the torch.   Heat until it gets to that nice orange color, then hit the lever... HISSSSS  as sparks fly.

I'm toying with leaving the bracket in place and picking it up after-market.  It's only $22.95 per side.
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Azrael256

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2011, 11:09:43 PM »
What if you have a grinder and a protective halo of helium?

Or liquid nitrogen. That would be cool  :laugh:
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Headless Thompson Gunner

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2011, 11:22:53 PM »
How much to buy the whole frame and haul it off to where you can use real tools?
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KD5NRH

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2011, 11:36:23 PM »
Quote from: Nick1911 on January 13, 2011, 10:33:19 PM
Lets say you want to pull a part off a truck in a junkyard, but said part is riveted to the frame with several 1/2 inch rivets.

.50 BMG
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Jim147

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2011, 12:17:53 AM »
A good punch and a spare battery for the cordless drill would be about the best if you can get a drill in the right spot.

It will wear you out, but your young. Use a chisel to give you a start point on the edge of the rivet and then go to town with a mini hacksaw. Then drive the chisel between the bracket and frame to pop it off.

jim
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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #14 on: January 14, 2011, 01:32:20 AM »
Easy to chisel that off. All you need is a big sharp chisel and someone willing to hold it while you run the 8lb sledge.  [popcorn] I've been that guy.  :'( I've also been the guy to lightly start the chisel then tie, wedge, or vise-grip in place for the money shot.

Then there is the idea that if you don't have a portable air compressor and an air chisel now would be a great excuse to buy one.

But back in boring land I like the drill and punch method, works every time.
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brimic

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #15 on: January 14, 2011, 08:03:26 AM »
Air impact chisel to cut the head off. Knocking the rivet out is an entirely differrent matter, best bet would be to drill the rivet out with progressively larger bits.

I had to deal with this sort of thing a month or so ago when I had to repair a ball joint on my car. The ball joint was riveted (1/2" rivets) to the end of a control arm. I knocked the rivet heads off with an air chisel, and ended up taking the control arm into a machine shop to have them press the rivets out. The rivets were in so tight/rusted, that they were unable to press them out without damaging the control arm.
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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #16 on: January 14, 2011, 08:51:48 AM »
FINALLY someone says air chisel. ;)
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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #17 on: January 14, 2011, 09:49:26 AM »
A 1/2" rivet is a big rivet.  Is this the diameter of the head, or of the shaft (Tee he).

I can't imagine working through a 1/2" rivet with hand tools. 
You'll need air, and a generator, or the junkyard guy to drag the carcass to an area safe for torches.
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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #18 on: January 14, 2011, 09:56:10 AM »
Torch would be best. which means easiest fastest.
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Tallpine

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #19 on: January 14, 2011, 11:17:44 AM »
Quote
NO Jacks, Torches, Grinders or anything that can cause a fire.

Ask forgiveness instead of permission  =D


One time I needed some 8-10' lengths of big channel steel and the ones I found at the junkyard were welded into the remains of some contraption, and sitting on top of a big pile of scrap.  I took my log truck and self loader and a bunch of chain down there and "logged" the thing out of the pile, paid for it, and took it home and cut it all apart with a torch.  =)
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TommyGunn

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #20 on: January 14, 2011, 11:30:25 AM »
Guys .... just use a phaser.    [tinfoil] [popcorn]
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zxcvbob

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #21 on: January 14, 2011, 11:40:32 AM »
If I could get to it with an electric drill, I'd use a 1/2" drill and probably start with a 1/4" bit.  Then a 3/8".  Then a 1/2" bit just thru the head and see if I could punch out the rivet (if not, keep drilling.)  Carry a little generator out there to power the drill unless your truck has an inverter big enough. (I have a 400W inverter in the cab of my truck, but I don't think 400W will doit)

1/2" is an *awfully* big rivet.  Are you sure about that?  I bet it's a 3/8".
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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #22 on: January 14, 2011, 11:43:43 AM »
cordless dremel  cut off wheel  you will be amazed how quick it goes  sparks  but not many. and quiet enough to pass for a drill
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Bogie

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #23 on: January 14, 2011, 11:49:36 AM »
Where I am right now, I'd just put it in the Dake, and lean on the lever...
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Nick1911

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Re: Removing Rivets
« Reply #24 on: January 14, 2011, 11:52:33 AM »
Quote from: Bogie on January 14, 2011, 11:49:36 AM
Where I am right now, I'd just put it in the Dake, and lean on the lever...

Yea.... maneuvering a hydro press around a car frame would be challenging, I think.

Would sure be satisfying, though.  =)
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