Rivets? - Tunnel mods, Drop & Roll

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88Merkur

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• Jan 13, 2010

• #1

To any of you that have done a drop and roll or made tunnel mods - what type of rivets did you use and where did you get them? I was looking in the Polaris parts diagrams and it looks like they have about 5 different types of rivets. Can I just use steel pop rivets?

Thanks,

Dan

 

S

skis_n_skid

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Mar 11, 2009

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• Jan 13, 2010

• #2

It takes a lot of force to pull a 1/4" SS pop rivet. A pneumatic rivet gun is almost a necessity. I just used 1/4" SS screws with SS nylock nuts.

 

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modded93xlt

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• Jan 13, 2010

• #3

for the 1/4 rivots we bought an automotive manual rivoter. looks kina like a bolt cutter. Also on mine I used all stainless rivots, they cost alot more but will hold up better. good luck

 

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07 Phazer

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Nov 28, 2007

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• Jan 13, 2010

• #4

You only need 1/4" rivets for susp. mounts, everything else can be 3/16". Use stainless for the chassis, and aluminum for brackets etc.

 

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Spaarky

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• Jan 13, 2010

• #5

Polaris gold rivets... toughest 3/16 rivet I have found.

 

sled_guy

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• Jan 13, 2010

• #6

Anything that needs holding force in 3/16" I use magnalocks in.

sled_guy

 

AKSNOWRIDER

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• Jan 13, 2010

• #7

go to your local small aircraft airport...find the supply/parts store..you need solid rivits(they make both aluminum and steel, you want aluminum..), you need the installer tool and the buck(installer tool is specific for each size rivit and is used with a air hammer..)..it is by far the best way to attach parts and way stronger then pop rivits.......(the whole setup minus the air hammer should cost you less then 100.00 with enough rivits to do a whole sled...

 

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fordpickupman

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• Jan 14, 2010

• #8

stainless

go with the stainless, pneumatic is the most fun way to pull rivets. Best gift my bride ever bought me was my air-rivet-gun.

The aircraft rivets look cool and I am sure that they are the strongest, but not all of us have those resources. Trick lookin' tunnel by the way.

 

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skis_n_skid

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• Jan 14, 2010

• #9

Considering that pop rivets are hollow, I figured that SS screws should have about the same amount of shear strength as SS pop rivets. Not having an air compressor and not wanting to spend the money to buy huge commercial quality rivet puller, I just used screws.

 

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88Merkur

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• Jan 15, 2010

• #10

Thank You

Thanks to all who replied. I do have a local small airport so I will check with them to see if anything is available. As far as a pneumatic rivet gun, my friend says it's a must to buy an expensive one. I had my eye on one at Harbor Freight, less than $100.00 I think. What type of guns are you using and will an inexpensive one work ok? And finally, those that are using rivets, did anybody find an inexpensive supplier on the internet? Thanks for all the info.

Dan

 

AKSNOWRIDER

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• Jan 15, 2010

• #11

I use a top of the line Snap-on air hammer..but I turn my air pressure way down on it...I dont think a 40.00 special will do it..but I see no reason a 100-140.00 air hammer wont do just fine.....I buy all my rivits locally..so no help online...

 

skibreeze

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• Jan 15, 2010

• #12

88Merkur said:

Thanks to all who replied. I do have a local small airport so I will check with them to see if anything is available. As far as a pneumatic rivet gun, my friend says it's a must to buy an expensive one. I had my eye on one at Harbor Freight, less than $100.00 I think. What type of guns are you using and will an inexpensive one work ok? And finally, those that are using rivets, did anybody find an inexpensive supplier on the internet? Thanks for all the info.

Dan

Click to expand...

I have 2 sizes of harbor freight riveters and they work great. If they were used everyday all day, I'd think differently, but they are awesome for occasional use.

 

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WestMont

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• Jan 16, 2010

• #13

I try to use solid rivets when possible. Be sure they have the dimple on the top of the head to identify them as being hard rivets and not soft.
If not a solid rivet my second choice would be the structural steel magnalock or monobolt type rivet. They are strong and if the hole isn't perfict they will conform to the shape of the hole better than other pull type rivets.
My last choice would be the stainless steel rivet for strength. They would be my first choice for looks but they are not as strong as steel rivets of the same size. Kind of like a bolt the best you can get is a grade 5 ss not a grade 8. If using the stainless rivet I would still use it in the magnalock or monobolt style.
As for cost most often the solid aluminum hard rivets and steel magna type rivets are at least a third of the cost less than the ss rivets.
Not recommended is the standard pull type aluminum or steel button type rivet. After setting the stem breaks at the bottom part of the rivet by the button head leaving the body of the rivet hollow and in time it will work loose.