Tool for removing plastic expanding rivets?

[marlinspike]

What do you guys use to remove the pins in those expanding plastic rivets (the kind of things car manufacturer's use to hold undershield trim panels on)? On Mercedes, it's always easy just to use a flathead screwdriver, but the BMW ones are so flexible it's a bear. A friend uses a junky front-cutter that he has laying around that was made so that the pincing part comes to the very leading edge of the tool, but it's so junky that it has no name on it. All the other front cutters I've found the pincer is slightly below the leading edge.

 

[Guns R Tools]

These work pretty well.

http://www.tooltopia.com/kd-tools-41840.aspx

 

[marlinspike]

LOL, never thought there'd be a specific tool for it. Wonder why I never saw such a thing in the Hazet and Stahlwille catalogs.

 

[ironmutt]

i use sidedykes just dont squeeze down hard . they slide right under the pin then just tilt up never had a problem

 

[wafrederick]

Chrysler uses the worst ones,look like a metal rivet not reusable using a special rivet gun.

 

[signcrafter]

I have a pair of these that work really good, http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=683059&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog.

Also have a pair of these that work great for pulling the plastic fasteners that get stuck in there, http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...roup_ID=675778&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog.

I think both of these are sold under other names for a better price.

 

[marlinspike]

....

 

[Hammer1963]

There are so many types of these rivets and no one tool will work for all of them. For rivets with a removable center stud, small forked trim tools will work for some, while a larger fork tool will suffice for others. I use several different types, depending on each fastener

You will also find several pliers mades specificly for this application. I have 5-6 different styles I use.

Many vehicles use a plastic pop rivet for fender liners and other applications. For these, I have developed a forked cutting chisel that I fabricated using a 3/4" wide Snap-on scraping tool. I carefully ground a "U" shaped void in the middle of the scraper and sharpened the inner edges, to aid in cutting the rivet after sliding it under the rivet heads.

You can go to Snap-on and Matco tool sites, look under body tools for a reference guide

Sorry, no pics. I'm not in the shop today

 

[skulldrinker]

Hf has several different types for this purpose and for @$5. No danger of the tool breaking while taking out plastic pins so why pay more.

Wait for a HF sale or use a coupon.
http://www.harborfreight.com/push-pin-pliers-67400.html

 

[ra42mario]

You need a door panel remover set. It is virtually a small pry bar with a U cut out in the middle to slide under the rivet, then you wiggle it up and down, side to side, and the plastic pins pull out.

Some of the pins work different ways, but 1 tool removes 98% of them.

The HF set is like $15 and gives you a few different widths of tip and length in handle. I have been using one from OEM for about 8 years that I paid less then $10.

For push pin style they sell a pair of pliers, but I just use the door panel remover tool, it works fine. I remove dozens of these pins a week at work.

 

[shellback]

skull,
Where can I get a HF coupon for that item?
Thanks

 

[Fireball027]

Side cutter work great on the really flexible ones

 

[unslow1]

skull,
Where can I get a HF coupon for that item?
Thanks

Any car magazine will have a 20% off one. I've never seen one specific to that tool. Maybe they have one but I haven't seen it.

 

[MartinTech]

Use a brad puller. I have one from Tool Aid (no kidding) that cost six dollars. Works like a champ...I pull apart several bmws a day with it.

 

[skulldrinker]

Any car magazine will have a 20% off one. I've never seen one specific to that tool. Maybe they have one but I haven't seen it.

Yep you'd prob be better off with the 20% off cause you might get old and gray waiting for that specific one. Sometimes you can get a better price if you are a member of the inside track club. For stuff under $10 no sense in waiting I just use the 20% off at that price range your only counting nickels and dimes waiting for a better coupon to come along.

and here's another I use for under $10
http://www.harborfreight.com/panel-clip-pliers-67399.html