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Old 06-02-2017, 06:57 PM   #1
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Removing rivets

I have had no success with getting the rivets off the side panels . I honestly wanted to keep the wall I have and but I've had no luck drilling into it either!!! Super frustrated [emoji30]


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Old 06-02-2017, 07:02 PM   #2
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If you use a wedged chisel you can hammer them off in a few hits. If you drill, you'll want the bit to be about as large as the rivets and drill straight through until it pops.
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Old 06-02-2017, 07:11 PM   #3
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You really need an air compressor and an air hammer with chisel bit to get em off easily.
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Old 06-02-2017, 07:21 PM   #4
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Are you punching the mandrel (center) out first? Even with hand tools they go pretty fast once the mandrel is pushed out the back.

I used air tools and I thought that was hard enough. There was a really good video about how someone removed the rivets with hand tools a while back. It didn't look that bad, so it can be done without air. How strong are your arms?
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Old 06-02-2017, 07:38 PM   #5
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Are you punching the mandrel (center) out first? Even with hand tools they go pretty fast once the mandrel is pushed out the back.

I used air tools and I thought that was hard enough. There was a really good video about how someone removed the rivets with hand tools a while back. It didn't look that bad, so it can be done without air. How strong are your arms?


Pretty strong


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Old 06-02-2017, 08:30 PM   #6
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The paint has every river stuck like glue; even when I've punched out the center!!!


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Old 06-02-2017, 10:36 PM   #7
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Yeah, the aluminum rivets come off like butter. The steel rivets put up a bit of a fight.

You need something thin you can drive under the edge of the rivet to get it to lift just a little, then put a chisel in the gap and pound that rivet off. Do that about 40,000 times and it's done.

It's a long job and it's likely you'll cut yourself at some point putting some real blood, sweat and maybe tears into the bus.

I tried to find a good video but they all seemed to be showing aluminum rivets being removed. Best advice is a nice sharp chisel.
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Old 06-03-2017, 07:28 AM   #8
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Thanks


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Old 06-03-2017, 07:29 AM   #9
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. Finally seeing some progress!!!


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Old 06-03-2017, 08:11 AM   #10
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This is how I've removed all my rivets. I was about to post a video and this guy beat me to it.
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Old 06-03-2017, 09:14 AM   #11
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. Finally seeing some progress!!!


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Is that the chair rail?

You don't want to remove that piece of metal. It's what holds the walls and floors together. Even with all of the rivets in those pieces removed, they still won't come out, because it's all welded together down below the floor.
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Old 06-03-2017, 04:17 PM   #12
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Is that the chair rail?

You don't want to remove that piece of metal. It's what holds the walls and floors together. Even with all of the rivets in those pieces removed, they still won't come out, because it's all welded together down below the floor.


No, it's the wall panel above it, directly below the windows



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Old 06-03-2017, 04:25 PM   #13
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Arms getting sore yet?
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Old 06-03-2017, 04:58 PM   #14
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No, it's the wall panel above it, directly below the windows



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Oh, okay. I thought that rib was the chair rail. Proceed!


I hammered out 1,176 rivets by hand pulling the wall and ceiling skins. In the long run, you'll forget how hard it was. Haha
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Old 06-03-2017, 05:23 PM   #15
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This is how I've removed all my rivets. I was about to post a video and this guy beat me to it.
Also how I did it, but mine didn't take quite as long as this, even my steel rivets cut faster. I did put a more aggressive angle on my chisel bit first though.
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Old 06-03-2017, 05:25 PM   #16
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You actually counted them? It seems like so many more when the work is actually going on.

Occasionally an old rivet still shows up every now and then. Yeah, memories.
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Old 06-03-2017, 05:26 PM   #17
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I laugh to keep from crying 🤣🤣🤣


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Old 06-03-2017, 05:32 PM   #18
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The rivets are just the first hurdle. Rivets are mostly just a physical battle. It should take two or three days by yourself. The thing is you'll get good at getting the rivets out, but that's when you're almost finished.

I'd agree about putting a better edge on your chisel. It will cut faster. I ended up using a "V" shaped chisel that stayed centered on the rivet much easier, but that was after I broke the flat chisel.
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Old 06-03-2017, 09:08 PM   #19
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Hehehe Rivets!!! Oh the horror...
I counted 1,143 ...and yes I counted lol

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Old 06-03-2017, 11:20 PM   #20
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If you have a grinder you may want to sharpen that chisel every 100 rivets or so. Surprised you're having so much trouble even after removing the centers.

After putting a sharper edge on it, mine was cutting through pretty well. A steady trigger finger and good angle will help you get through them.


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Hehehe Rivets!!! Oh the horror...
I counted 1,143 ...and yes I counted lol

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I do not miss this.
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