Removing Buck Rivet

Schlu

Cadet
Joined
Nov 1, 2019
Messages
8
Is it safe to use air chisel to remove solid buck rivet head? I am reading that a lot here drill out the head. I have a lot to remove so was leaning towards air chisel. Any input greatly appreciated!
 

GA_Boater

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
May 24, 2011
Messages
49,038
Drill the dimple in the shop head. No dimple - Use a center punch for a drill bit starting place. Drill gently until the head spins and punch the rivet through. A chisel will mess up the holes.
 

matt167

Captain
Joined
Sep 27, 2012
Messages
3,630
Air chisel with a point tip will remove the rivet. It will also deform the aluminum
 

Star01

Seaman
Joined
Jul 30, 2019
Messages
52
Drill the factory dimple. Or a prick punch and then drill. Air chisel will not give you what you want when installing new Rivits.
 

JBKINWA

Cadet
Joined
Jul 11, 2019
Messages
9
These are 2117 AD rivets. Use Wire size drill bits. Standard sizes are #40,#30,#21, and #10. Fractional bits will not size the hole correctly for your replacement rivet. Use high speed on your drill. Drill the head to where the point of the bit is into the shank of the rivet. The outer edge of the bit not quite through the head. This allows you to be off a little bit and not damage the structure. Take another bit of the same size and turn it around putting the end into the hole and snap the head off with a side to side motion. Drive the shank out using a pin punch of the correct size. Back up thin metal to keep from bending it. I hope this helps
 
Last edited:

JBKINWA

Cadet
Joined
Jul 11, 2019
Messages
9
Also do not use air hammers to drive rivets. They have a different stroke than an actual rivet gun. They can fracture the rivets when you drive them. If you need to use a blind rivet. Use Cherrymax rivets. They are a structural rivet unlike the common Cherrybulb rivets you find at a hardware store.
 
Top