loose stainless bimini fittings..

[solarfry]

All the fittings on my stainless steel bimini for the small boat have loosened with 6 yrs of use. How do I remove the stainless steel rivets holding the fittings in place and where can I find new stainless steel rivets to replace the worn out ones? There are some stainless steel rivets that you pound in with a hammer and the other end blows ups tight against the metal making it like new.

I only have aluminum rivet riveters and they do not work very well with regular stainless steel rivets. It's a bear drilling them out as all the expensive drill bits are made in china and will not cut throught steel. Even the gold colored ones with titanium tips work not.

Help?

 

[DBreskin]

Re: loose stainless bimini fittings..

As far as I know, the only way to get out the old rivets is to drill.

You can get new stainless rivets at your local marine supplier, or here on iBoats.
Link:http://www.iboats.com/Clamshell-Package-Refills/dm/*******.756853343--**********.877339049--view_id.39588

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: loose stainless bimini fittings..

Get a cobalt drill bit and it will eat right through! Worth the money to pick up the right bit.