plastic rivets

sballard · 10-29-2016, 07:21 AM

I bought a bag of these to attach my aluminum threshold to the rocker panel. Now I have no idea how to install them. I have a standard rivet gun, but they won't fit into any of my tips that I have. I've tried tapping the plunger down with a small hammer but that just bends the plunger. Surely this can't be that difficult. Any tips?

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

Try starting with the right tool.

https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=plastic+rivet+gun&tbm=shop

sballard · 10-29-2016, 10:32 AM

Why didn't I think of that.....? !#@!?

Danimal16 · 10-30-2016, 09:11 AM

There is a special tool for those that I got from a European source.

If you are using the 2.9 mm nylon pin rivets I made a tool from Aluminum Tubing and SS Rod that I sourced at a hobby shop.

The tool at the top is great but you cannot get it into tight spots.

This image shows the stock that I used to cut into the lengths about 3.5 inches for the rod and about 2.5 inches for the tube.

If you need the additional Rivets I have both the nylon (in white and black).

Hope this helps. Also I usually use small cleco fasteners to hold the thresholds in place.

The tube and rod work like a champ.

deguitars · 10-30-2016, 10:30 AM

I'm curious why you need a tool at all, just push rivet in the hole and tap in the pin with a small hammer or whatever? While I have never dealt with this specific one they look just like a typical aluminum "pin" or what I call "drive" rivets and I have installed more than a few of those without any special tools.

Joe Bob · Joe Bob's Garage

The pins need to be pulled to mushroom the shaft that passes between the two materials. A hammer sends it the opposite way.

Danimal16 · 10-30-2016, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Bob

The pins need to be pulled to mushroom the shaft that passes between the two materials. A hammer sends it the opposite way.

The rivets for the thresholds are pin rivets and need to be pushed in. They are not pop rivets. Hitting the pin with a hammer can easily bend the pin and ruin the rivet. The tube and rod device assure the pin is properly set.

sballard · 10-30-2016, 11:35 AM

For what it's worth, I tried tapping with a small hammer. No way this will work.

Danimal16 · 10-30-2016, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sballard

For what it's worth, I tried tapping with a small hammer. No way this will work.

If you look closely at the set up, the aluminum tube goes around the pin. You set the rivet into the hole. The little rod sets inside the tube and sets on top of the pin rivet. A sharp tap on the Rod with a small hammer drives the pin in and sets the rivet. Once you get the hang of it you well be able to set the pins with one tap.

sballard · 10-30-2016, 05:59 PM

My comment above was about just using a hammer (without the tube and rod). Far too flimsy. I've got a plastic rivet gun on order.

famoroso · 04:16 AM

How does one remove these plastic "rivets?" The handles on the header of my power convertible top are held in place with these black plastic rivets. I can just drive the pin through and remove the remaining rivet body, but that will mean I'll have a few pins floating around the power top header. I'd rather not have stuff floating around if I can avoid it.