Looking for small drive screws or rivets with large heads ??

[geomagno]

Trying to replace a mushroomed rivet I had to drill out (on the right of 1st pic). I can use this washer head screw on the left with no problem but I want it to look original with a smooth, flattened head. Tried grinding the phillips slots down but I can still see them. A drive screw would be ideal (2nd pic) if I could find one with a bigger, wider head.
The hole I drilled is 5/64 and the washer head screw is M2.6 with a 6mm wide head. ---- Any suggestions?
...............................

 

[mike93lx]

How about a washer under the rivet?

Did you check McMaster for a rivet?

 

[inphx]

Being an Electrical Engineer.. with stuff on hand i may fake that with two tinned copper washers and solder through hole. Then some strategic tappy tap tap to get the look. Assumes a solder strength joint would suffice.

 

[wssix99]

Search for "book binding screws." You may even be able to find them at your local Ace Hardware.

You can also find 2mm and 3mm carriage bolts/coach screws.

 

[mike93lx]

Search for "book binding screws." You may even be able to find them at your local Ace Hardware.

Also called "Chicago screws" and "*** bolts"

 

[geomagno]

McMaster

Thanks for all of the suggestions.
The outline of an added washer shows even if I grind down the screw head really flush.
I looked on McMaster: doesn't look like they have a hollow rivet small enough. And the same with the carriage bolt. I do have small chicago screws on hand as I've used them for other projects, but I have the same issue - size.
While searching for rivets I did happen upon some solid aluminum craft rivets on Amazon. They should fit the hole but not sure if the head is large enough. Hoping I can flatten the aluminum head enough to make it look good. I'll try to update when I get them.
Thx again crew. Your ideas helped in the search process.

 

[geomagno]

Being an Electrical Engineer.. with stuff on hand i may fake that with two tinned copper washers and solder through hole. Then some strategic tappy tap tap to get the look. Assumes a solder strength joint would suffice.

Tinning the phillips grooves might work if I can direct the heat. For that matter I might be able to hit it quickly with the mig welder and then file it down....or I could end up blowing a hole in it. This is a harsh learning curve. I might have to practice on some scraps first.

 

[LeeG]

If you don't need many, maybe someone could just turn something on the lathe to do what you need. I made some custom rivets from some brass bar stock to fix something for my neighbor.

Lee

 

[niget2002]

If you don't need many, maybe someone could just turn something on the lathe to do what you need. I made some custom rivets from some brass bar stock to fix something for my neighbor.

Lee

Dang it. I was just about to recommend he buy a lathe and turn his own. Then you come and post something sensible.

 

[geomagno]

Dang it. I was just about to recommend he buy a lathe and turn his own. Then you come and post something sensible.

...that WOULD give me the excuse to buy a lathe.

 

[niget2002]

...that WOULD give me the excuse to buy a lathe.

A lathe is 4th on my list of 'somewhat expensive' items to buy with my next bonus.

Somehow a new couch for the living room jumped the entire list last week, but we won't talk about that.

 

[DGersic]

When it comes to rivets, Hanson Rivets probably has it if it exists.

 

[no704]

 

[LeeG]

...that WOULD give me the excuse to buy a lathe.

Not having a lathe is a good enough excuse for buying a lathe.

Lee