Disassembling Steel Clamps: Metal Fastener Help

[Maddog1337]

Hi GJ,

I'm in the middle of restoring some old Jorgensen I-Beam Steel Clamps. I've posted before about these in the tool section for thoughts on removing the rust from the bars and where to find some replacement parts. Of course I am going for function but I also would really like to make these look brand new. I ended up getting a Milwaukee M12 Fuel Right Angle Die Grinder with a 2" Roloc disc and varying grit pads. Unfortunately the groove in the clamps is <2" so I've been grinding on an angle which has created some wavy effect. I hope to finish by hand with some high grit sand paper to get more of a mirror finish.

On to my question. I want to disassemble and remove an end cap piece that is held by two metal fasteners. I have been unsuccessful trying to punch them out. I'm not sure if they're one way screws, aka U-Drive, Hammer screws, etc. Or what the deal is. I'm not sure if they need to be twisted out counterclockwise? Since Jorgensen went Chinese you cannot get replacement parts so I really want to get this right. Any idea on how to dissemble? I was going to try heat next.

The haul:

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Metal fastenter front:

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Metal fastenter rear:

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Progress:

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Bar Progress:

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[pizza]

nice clamps. i can't really see the the rear of the fasteners well, but i guess if in doubt, drill em out.

btw, where are those images hosted again?

 

[matt_i]

Those are headed rivets, heads both sides as I recall. Smashed ("headed") in a press possibly while hot.

Supposing you grind off the heads on one side and drive out the pins, you'll have to replace them with nuts and bolts which may not be as tight.

My recommendation would be to not disassemble that part.