Affordable Rivet Squeezer

[Ridge Runner]

I've been working on restoring a Tonka Big Mike dump truck to give to my dad. It's painted and ready for reassembly, but I'm having a hard time coming up with a tool to use on the four 1/8" rivets it requires. I know that I could use one of those punch tools, but not only are a couple of the rivets in an awkward position, I don't want to make the rivets look misformed on the head or risk screwing up the paint job.

I don't necessarily need a squeezer, but rivets aren't my forte and I have no idea what would be the correct tool for this endeavor.

 

[fuddinator]

Are they round head rivets or flush/countersink rivets? If they are countersunk and a softer metal knipex plier wrench might do it. Can't say I have tried it on 1/8 in rivets but they worked great on -3 aviation aluminum rivets.

However most squeezers seem to start at 70+ with most falling in the 100 dollar range.

 

[Cypherian]

I've been working on restoring a Tonka Big Mike dump truck to give to my dad. It's painted and ready for reassembly, but I'm having a hard time coming up with a tool to use on the four 1/8" rivets it requires. I know that I could use one of those punch tools, but not only are a couple of the rivets in an awkward position, I don't want to make the rivets look misformed on the head or risk screwing up the paint job.

I don't necessarily need a squeezer, but rivets aren't my forte and I have no idea what would be the correct tool for this endeavor.

Rivet style and material info and pictures of where they go and I can probably help you fabricate something up I own several styles of rivet squeezers so can provide pictures of what the fabricated one should look like. Big question what is the thickness of the material your riveting grip length is very important when solid riveting.

Cypher

 

[Ridge Runner]

They're round head rivets. About all of the rivet squeezers I found on eBay were about $150-$200 including the necessary dies. Since I'm not familiar with rivets, though, I may be looking in the wrong place.

It's joining two pieces of sheetmetal together. Just a guess without having my gauge with me, but probably about 18 or 20 gauge steel. The thin stuff that they used to stamp all of the metal toys out of.

 

[Jmatlock88]

It wasn't very clear from your description, but I think what you are dealing with is a tubular rivet with a universal (domed) head.

On the universal head side, you need a universal rivet set. (see pic, RH)

On the shop formed side of the rivet, you need a tubular rivet die. (see pic, LH)

Next, you will need some way of holding each die over the respective side of the rivet and applying pressure to each die.

Cheap Options include...
1. c-clamp based tools
2. hammer + punch based tool
3. vice grip based tool
4. hydraulic or arbor press based tool

Expensive Options include...
5. air / hydraulic c-squeeze based tool
6. rivet gun

There are advantages of each method. For instance, if you need to reach across a large panel to place a rivet, a rivet gun or the hammer & punch are advantageous. The c-clamp, c-squeeze, and press tools will give you a lot of control while forming the head. Based on the geometry of the job and your budget, the best method will hopefully jump out at you. The best solution for you might be a homemade job...order a set of dies and weld them to an old c-clamp.

 

[gtae07]

Drop in at local small airports and check on homebuilt airplane sites to see if there's anyone who might be willing to set the rivets for you. If there's anyone nearby building an RV I'm almost certain they'd do it.

Really, though, just get a couple of blind rivets and a cheap pop riveter. You can fill the holes in the heads and paint over them. Unless they're in a really visible place?

 

[Cypherian]

Hey.
Gtae07 has a good quick fix with out much effort, Jmatlock could also be right if you have tubular rivets there really is not a good way to fake squeezer for them with out the right sets. If those do not work for you please answer these questions.

1 Rivet Type: Univ Hd Answered
2 Rivet Diameter 1/8 Answered
3 Rivet Style Solid ? Tube? Hi Shear ? Hi Tigue? Cold Box? etc
4 Rivet Material Alum, Steel, Monel??
5 Picture of location

Grip Length 1 / 2 x D + G =L
D = the rivet diameter
G = the grip total thickness of material
L = the total length of the rivet.

One source of rivet squeezers though there are many others

http://www.yardstore.com/search.htm...=Show+Matches&numresults=10&viewfrom=1&step=2



Rivet short course info

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...1ZwH69mblyAu71FhVEwQHnw&bvm=bv.96339352,d.cWw

Cypher