Repair 7

How to Set Solid Rivets

Solid rivets differ from blind rivets common to construction and vehicle repair. Blind rivets have a cylindrical body and a center pin. The blind rivet distorts when you pull the pin with a rivet gun. The distortion binds the rivet in a hole. Solid rivets have a solid body and no pin. Distorting the body of the rivet holds it in place -- similar to a blind rivet. The body of a solid rivet distorts under pressure. Installing a solid rivet correctly creates a strong, watertight connection.

Instructions

1

Measure the diameter of the rivet body with a tape measure.

2

Turn the thumb screw located on the top jaw of a hand rivet compressor. Pull the two handles of the tool apart. Slide the top jaw of the compressor forward to expose the compression die. Pull the die from the chamber. Slide a die matching the size of the rivet into the chamber.

Slide the top jaw backward to catch the die. Tighten the thumb screw. Turn the lower die counterclockwise to remove it from the tool. Turn the correctly sized die clockwise to thread it into the lower jaw of the tool.

3

Select a drill bit from a drill bit set matching the measured diameter of the rivet body. Secure the drill bit into the chuck of a drill motor.

4

Align the pieces of material requiring the rivet.

5

Drill a hole through all pieces of material with the drill bit. Drill slowly to keep heat to a minimum. Excessive heat causes a drill bit to dull.

6

Slide the narrow end of a solid rivet through the drilled hole. Pull the handle of the hand rivet compressor apart to open its jaws. Align the top and bottom dies with the solid rivet. Squeeze the handles of the tool together to set the solid rivet.