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Rivets for attaching Snap On stainless steel trim

rjwilliams

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May 4, 2012
Messages
137
I have been searching here and through Google and I can't come up with any info on the rivets that hold on the stainless steel trim on my box. It looks like a solid rivet but I would have no way of accessing the back to be able to tell. I have some waves in my trim that need to be knocked out and I wanted to remove the trim to make it easier but I am not sure how I would put it back on when I am done. Any input?

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rjwilliams

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May 4, 2012
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Ok, I used that link to find out that they are drive screws and not rivets. Next step is to find out the size and how to grind out the old one without damaging the stainless trim.
 
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machine_punk

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May 14, 2011
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Napa Valley, California
I think you have a couple of options.

REMOVING THE OLD RIVET/DRIVE SCREW:
First, whether it is a drive screw or a rivet, put a center mark in the center of the head (use an automatic center punch...the thing you press into the piece, then it 'snaps' and punches a center mark. If you don't have one of those, then you can use a center punch and a hammer. I personally recommend making a dot with a super fine Sharpie, hitting the center of that with a ***** punch, then hitting that with a center punch) Very carefull drill down in with a drill bit the size of the shank (you won't know this, so start with a small bit and move up, until the head of the rivet spins off. You are NOT trying to drill out the whole rivet, just remove enough of the center of the rivet head to remove the head without damaging or enlarging the original hole). Then, take a pin punch of the appropriate size and punch the rest of the rivet/drive screw through the hole.

Here is a video of the technique at the EAA website:
http://www.eaavideo.org/video.aspx?v=1657896937

REINSTALLING THE TRIM:
Now, you have a couple of options. Either find new SS drive screws and make sure they fit (usually driven in with a hammer) (you may have to go up one size to get a tight fit). Or, drill the hole out to the next size up of stainless steel POP (blind) rivet. These really don't look too bad and might be your easiest option, if you have a POP rivet gun already. Certainly won't be noticed if you drill out all the trim pieces and re-POP-rivet all of them. If you prefer a bit of a custom look, and you have access to the back of the piece, you could pick some hardware you like to replace the rivets/drive screws (I particularly like the look of socket head cap screws...it would lend a very industrial look to the tool box).

OTHER THOUGHTS:
Is their really no access to the back, or do you have to take all the drawers out to get to the back? I would seriously consider buying stainless steel solid rivets for this job, but I already have all the solid rivet driving tools--that wouldn't be the inexpensive way to do just one tool box.

Kev.
 
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rjwilliams

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May 4, 2012
Messages
137
Kev,

I agree that stainless solid rivets would be best but I have removed all of the drawers with no luck on accessing the back. I am going to try cutting a slot in the head to see if I can back it out and if that does work I will try drilling all of the way through. I will post pics.
 
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