Rivets for skinning the bus

[coach21]

What type of rivets would you suggest I use to skin my bus? I have seen where people have used blind rivets and solid rivets. I just wanted to know what you would recommend.

[EastCoastCB]

I'm going with blind, closed-end rivets. Best of both worlds.

[coach21]

What about bolts? If I am having to predrill holes for the rivets, why not just use bolts? It would keep me from buying a rivet gun, bigger compressor, etc. Just an idea. Wondered what other people thought.

[Tango]

I'd nix the bolts unless you weld them in place. All the flexing of a skoolie would almost certainly work them loose. The skin was originally riveted for good reason.

[TAOLIK]

A commonly asked question, a great resource to start with you can find here.

If you have two people you should use solid rivets after careful measuring to make sure you have the right length. If you have one person you should use blind rivets. If you are seriously considering bolts, maybe you should go with the blind rivets. They are easy and fun. Saving money on tools is good but don't skimp on the skin of your bus. After you insulate it will be very hard to get to and the cost of your tool and rivets and sheet metal are not much different than the cost of bolts and sheet metal.

Good luck!

[EastCoastCB]

If using blind rivets, go with regular steel, closed end.
Closed end rivets have the mandrel covered on the back.

[superdave]

my thomas was mostly screwed together, i matched the screwes and used a good urethane sealant/adhesive. osi quad is a good one

[bansil]

Check out s.w.Anderson for rivets in large qtys, def. Cheaper than Grainger, mcm or MSC

They do have $50;min.