Rivets!

[newbusser]

Before I bought a bus, I really kindof liked rivets....now I absolutely hate the sight of them!!! What kind of sadist was in charge when they decided to put a rivet every inch and a half down both sides of the bus interior........top and bottom?

One way to make it a LITTLE easier, look into the hole on each rivet. If the center metal piece (the one that draws back to expand and break off) is still there, take a center punch or small straight round punch and knock the center piece out. After you do this, drilling out with 1/4 inch drill bit is a lot easier.

[Papabear]

And you will never like them again, although you will install a few.
On my bus, some were steel, some aluminum, some flattened on the back, some with holes, some without, and some that were installed by Satan himself
I tried the punch it/drill it method. It was easier for me to just grind them off (the steel ones anyway) A 4 1/2" side grinder makes pretty quick work of them. Good luck

[paul iossi]

when you're buying replacement rivits, mke sure that they have the steel mandrelss/nails so that you can pull them up tight.

for removal, get several pin punches of the appropriate sizeand shorten the pins to bout 1/2 inch so they dont bend and get stuck in the holes. clamp one in a pair of visegrips, grab a 32oz hammer and go get your frustrations out. you can buy 9/64" double ended drillbits by the 10 or 12 pack envelope the perfect size for 1/8 rivets and also pilot holes in up to 1/4" steel, drill the rivet heads until you can't get any more on the drillbit then grab them with pliers and reverse the drill to remove them.

[dieselman69]

for drilling 1/8" rivets I've found a #30 drill bit is the correct size & using cobalt drill bits will drill many more steel rivets than high speed steel bits ever will, also #30 drill bits are the size of clecos, which clecos you can find at the " yard store" they have a web site, don't forget to get cleco pliers also. Have fun.

[newbusser]

yes, I gave up on the drill and cuss method. 4 1/2 inch grinder with a supply of harbor freight grinding wheels works wonders. Just have to watch the heat.