Best Way to Remove Rivets?

[VanderLaan]

What is the best way to separate two pieces of metal that have been riveted together? Tried to drill them out, but that really does not work very well. Aany advice or suggestions on how to go about it?

 

[North Beach]

Re: Best Way to Remove Rivets?

What exactly are you trying to separate?

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Best Way to Remove Rivets?

Drill them from the head side and get that drill as perfectly centered as possible. You don't have to drill them all the way through. Just go until the head is free. Once the head is free take a center punch and knock it the rest of the way out. If you're replacing them because they're loose you might get away with just re-bucking them. If you're like me, loose means bad so I replace them even when I don't really need to. Call me mr. overkill if you want but that's just the way I am.

 

[HarryO60]

Re: Best Way to Remove Rivets?

But a center punch. Mark the center of the head of the rivet and using a sharp drill bit roughly the same size as the shank of the rivet dill until the head breaks free...or climbs up you drill bit. Use a pin punch to drive out the rivet shank. Hope this helps

 

[VanderLaan]

Re: Best Way to Remove Rivets?

Thanks for the suggestions. I was trying to remove the dashes on my Holiday (the sides are riveted to the gunnels) and it was taking a long time. I was trying to drill them out, but I think I need to buy a new bit and a center punch.

 

[North Beach]

Re: Best Way to Remove Rivets?

Oh Yeah. In that scenario a good sharp drill bit should do it just fine.

 

[barato2]

Re: Best Way to Remove Rivets?

sharp new cobalt-steel bit, go slow.

 

[Captmills]

Re: Best Way to Remove Rivets?

the bit has to be the right size as well, just enough to remove but not too big to oversize the hole.

 

[airshot]

Re: Best Way to Remove Rivets?

This will probably sound alittle off to many of you, however I use a drill larger than the shank diameter, but you must be carefull not to drill all the way thru. This allows the rivet head to pop off even if you are off center a little. As a tool maker i can grind/sharpen my drills to suit my application so I have no problem using a larger drill and stop immediately when the head pops off. You will have a nice divot there in the center of the shank to easily push the remaining part thru. In aluminium you need a very sharp drill with a smaller than normal cutting relief angle so the drill bit does not get sucked into the aluminium while drilling. You can also purchase these types of drill bits from speciality firms. Search the "net" for aluminium cutting drill bits. Soft materials such as alum can pull the drill into the material while drilling so be sure and reduce the amount of pressure you apply, if it does not cut with light pressure it is dull or improperly sharpened. Hope this helps.
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[astor]

Re: Best Way to Remove Rivets?

I had difficulty in removing rivets that were already loose (pop rivets attaching rotten wood to stringers) I found the easiest way was to use my oscillating tool with a cutting head on it, cause the rivet would just spin when I tried to drill them. I would cut the head off clean real quick. For solid rivets I ground the back side off flush, then used a punch to drive them out. I was worried about making the hole too large with a drill bit.

 

[airshot]

Re: Best Way to Remove Rivets?

Yea forgot about the oscillating tool, that should work well except for some scratches. I have in the past made a hardened steel punch with a very sharp angle on it, with one swift smack of the hammer the rivet head was gone clean. I do like the idea of that oscillating tool though....
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