Hello From Bradenton FL

[Urbannomads]

Hi everyone, My wife and I recently bought a 2007 Bluebird All American with an 8.3L Cummings. Bus has 2800hrs/148000 miles. We are excited to get started on converting. We have already removed the seats and the plywood flooring. Very little rust on floor which is awesome. Next up will be to remove the riveted ceiling. Not going to be fun. Looking forward to getting ideas and advice on here.
Take care.

[rickd6184]

Welcome aboard. My wife and I are 6 weeks into our build just north of you in New Port Richey, let me know if you ever need anything!

[EastCoastCB]

A pneumatic hammer with a nice sharp chisel bit is the best way to get rid of those rivets.
You go along with a punch bit (they come in a set with the chisel bit usually) and punch the mandrels in the centers of the rivets, then shear off the heads with a chisel bit. Once you get a rhythm going its not too bad.

[D_Bird]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

A pneumatic hammer with a nice sharp chisel bit is the best way to get rid of those rivets.
You go along with a punch bit (they come in a set with the chisel bit usually) and punch the mandrels in the centers of the rivets, then shear off the heads with a chisel bit. Once you get a rhythm going its not too bad.

Welcome - Lived on Bradenton Beach for a few years when younger. Loved spending some of my childhood there. Family ran a charter fishing business next to Cortez bridge.


To add on to EastCoastCB (I've read many of his comments over the years, extremely insightful) make sure you have an adequate supply of air pressure with the pneumatic gun. Every so often I would take my chisel bits to my bench grinder to resharpen the head. After that rhythm comes in it's satisfying to chomp some rivets after you've spent so much time struggling. Show those rivets who's boss!

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by D_Bird

Welcome - Lived on Bradenton Beach for a few years when younger. Loved spending some of my childhood there. Family ran a charter fishing business next to Cortez bridge.


To add on to EastCoastCB (I've read many of his comments over the years, extremely insightful) make sure you have an adequate supply of air pressure with the pneumatic gun. Every so often I would take my chisel bits to my bench grinder to resharpen the head. After that rhythm comes in it's satisfying to chomp some rivets after you've spent so much time struggling. Show those rivets who's boss!

Oh thanks!

Yes- you want a decent compressor to run it! Good thinking- I totally forgot about my initial attempts with a pancake compressor.