What do you guys do to remove frame rivets?

[roadnotca]

I just look at each rivet with a scowl and point at them with one hand and a clinched fist with the other. they pop out with fear and jump right into my trash can, works everytime.

Better yet, let me get some Grade 8 hardware and I'll be right over.

 

[Jefferson-Mo]

Thanks for all the great replies..............I'm liking the drill method............

are the rivets pretty soft? Will I need a supply of bits?


or a Kryptonite drill bit

 

[vortec]

hmm, nobody else uses my method? chisel the mushroom head up a little, then finish it off with a reciprocating saw .

 

[bear76]

There not too hard, I would keep at least one extra bit on hand (2 one for each size)

 

[Jefferson-Mo]

hmm, nobody else uses my method? chisel the mushroom head up a little, then finish it off with a reciprocating saw .

Yeah and I got a new Sawzall!!

 

[goldwing2000]

lay the torch on its side and "wash" away the rivet head, little at a time.

Yep. That's called a "scarf cut" and it's the easiest way I've found.

If you're really worried about gouging the frame, leave a hair of metal on the head and then just punch it through with an air hammer.

With any method, there's a risk of removing too much metal... but that's what they make welders for.

 

[stevos67k20]

quick question about the rivets:
is the head the pugdy, deformed end or the rounder end? would the head be on the inside of the frame or the outside most likley on rear spring shakle mounts? thanks

 

[roadnotca]

The nice uniform round side is called "manufactured head" and the other side is the "upset". The mfd. head will most likely be on the side with the most access (outside).

 

[goldwing2000]

Yeah, it doesn't matter which side you cut off. Just whichever is easier to get to.

 

[Jefferson-Mo]

I just look at each rivet with a scowl and point at them with one hand and a clinched fist with the other. they pop out with fear and jump right into my trash can, works everytime.

tried that.........................didn't work





my 22 month old just laffed at me

 

[Jefferson-Mo]

I always used a small drill bit (1/8) in the very middle of the head about a half inch deep, and then hit it with a 1/2 drill bit till the head comes off. Hit it with the punch and out it comes. Takes me about a minute per rivet.

Did it this way.............worked pretty good.........relatively low noise too