Rivet question

[EastCoastCB]

For the average DIYer the HF rivet gun is the best way to go. It will last at least long enough to do a few buses.

[porkchopsandwiches]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

For the average DIYer the HF rivet gun is the best way to go. It will last at least long enough to do a few buses.

Yes I know, but don't tell Nat that

[taskswap]

Harbor Freight has all kinds of things from all kinds of places. Some are better than others. I buy their screwdrivers all the time (I lose screwdrivers constantly - way quicker than I break them), and their air tools are great. I've also had really good luck with things like nitrile gloves, disposable chip brushes, drill bits, socket sets, and LED flashlights. But other things not so much - I've bought one of their trailers and it was pretty crappy. I have their chainsaw sharpener and it's a mess - the only reason I haven't ditched it is I keep dreaming up projects I could make with the motor and cutting wheel.

[Vlad]

I used very tough closed end stainless stainless pop rivets. I bought 1/4" gun which can also handle 3/16" and smaller rivets. I bought it from Princess Auto (Canadian version HF but pure Canadian company). The guns they sell are the same China made quality tool, but different colour. Princess Auto has lifetime satisfaction guarantee, not 3 month warranty like HF.

I popped few thousand (about 5000) of 3/16" and about 500-600 1/4" rivets. I killed 4 guns but they were replaced with no charge. The killers were 1/4" stainless rivets. You can't even compare 1/4" rivets to steel rivets, they are real PITA if you try to use hand tool.

If you use this kinda guns with aluminum or even steel rivets they work great and will last a few bus rebuilds.

[nat_ster]

Originally Posted by Vlad

I used very tough closed end stainless stainless pop rivets. I bought 1/4" gun which can also handle 3/16" and smaller rivets. I bought it from Princess Auto (Canadian version HF but pure Canadian company). The guns they sell are the same China made quality tool, but different colour. Princess Auto has lifetime satisfaction guarantee, not 3 month warranty like HF.

I popped few thousand (about 5000) of 3/16" and about 500-600 1/4" rivets. I killed 4 guns but they were replaced with no charge. The killers were 1/4" stainless rivets. You can't even compare 1/4" rivets to steel rivets, they are real PITA if you try to use hand tool.

If you use this kinda guns with aluminum or even steel rivets they work great and will last a few bus rebuilds.

I got the same gun. I never even unpacked it.

Getting the rivets was too much head ache where I live, and I didn't have the time to wait last fall. I was trying desperately to get the Four Season Prime livable before winter, but failed.

I'm also doing this entire project without the use of 120 volt electricity. Running a compressor means running a generator. I hate the noise, the cost of fuel, and the smell.

All the small bolts I used were installed with cordless Dewalt 20 volt max drills. It was quick and efficient. Batterys get charged while I'm driving, or at the job sites I work on.

Unlike rivets, The bolts could be installed and removed when needed, for mock up and placement of the steel sheets. I also used large #14 hex head self tapping screws for temporary placement.

I'm also not welding my hat channels together. Even though a 1/4 stainless steel rivet has around 500 pounds before sheer, fellow members were voicing concerns about strength. So I stepped up to 1/4 inch bolts.

Last was cost. The rivets would have ended up costing more per rivet.

Nat