----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, June 05, 2000 7:50 AM
Subject: [VAC] Trimming Olympic
rivets/recessed centers
I have removed, reversed, and re-installed the
rear under-window panel , and used the Olympic rivets (with rubber washer) in
a standard pop riveting tool. On about half of them, the center stem broke off
below the surface of the rivet head (dome). Is this typical? They won't look
right with a dark center, and I doubt if any filler will look right. Am I
doing something wrong? I'm doing a steady, straight squeeze on the tool when
installing. Some are only 1/32" or so recessed, others are 1/16" or more. Even
without the rubber washer under the head, 1/4 of these would be below the
dome.
For the rivets with the stem broken off above
the surface (like it should be), I've been using a 100 grit 2" disc on rubber
mount (1/4" shaft) in a cordless drill, at slow speed, to flush the stem to
the head. I made a small "mask" to protect the panel and rivet dome, using a
small piece of 1/16" thick aluminum sheet. I cut a piece about 3" x 6" and
drilled a hole (3/8" I think) centered across the 3" but offset towards one
end (about 1 1/2" from end). Deburr edges and soften corners also. I hold it
over the rivet head with my left hand while grinding the stem down with the
drill in my right, slowing down as I get close to flush. The mask prevents
scarring the panel or roughing up the rivet head. Intend to wet sand heads
lightly with about 400 grit after that (using same mask), and hopefully
polishing will finish them up. Seems pretty easy, and avoids the need to spend
$175 on a rivet trimming tool.
Bob Harper
'62 Globetrotter in
SC
