Rivets are a common fastener used in many different applications, from aerospace engineering to DIY crafts. They’re strong, reliable, and easy to install, but what happens when you need to remove them?
Maybe you made a mistake during installation, or you need to disassemble a piece of equipment for repairs. Whatever the reason, removing rivets can be a challenge, especially if you don’t have a drill on hand.
But how to remove rivets without drill? And I’m here to guide you through them step by step. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explore the different methods. So let’s dive in and discover the secrets of rivet removal without a drill!
How Do Rivets Work?
A wide range of connectors with a few common characteristics are referred to as rivets. They have one end that has been pre-shaped, and when they are used, the other end is reshaped. Each one has a slick shaft that goes through the objects being connected.
When used to attach two or more materials together, they provide a joint that is tighter and stronger than it would be with a screw of the same diameter. Metal is the most often riveted material nowadays, however riveting is utilized in various sorts of construction. But rivets can also be used on wood, clay, and even fabric.
The most common type of rivet, the hot rivet, also happens to be the strongest. To complete the junction, the unformed end of a glowing hot rivet is pounded into place after being fed through a hole that has been meticulously drilled. The joint is held together securely by the rivet’s contraction as it cools.
Types Of Rivets-Standard Rivets
A “pop rivet” is merely a shortened name for the POP brand of rivets made by Stanley Engineered Fastening. A smaller, lighter-duty rivet known as a “blind” or “pop” rivet is the one you will most frequently come across today.
Pop rivets are used to attach two thin pieces of material, like plastic or aluminum, from one side to the other, doing away with the necessity to access the workpiece’s rear. Most of the time, they are used around the house to connect gutter and downspout parts. A metal or copper pop rivet is created by inserting a tiny nail, known as a mandrel, into a tube.
How To Fit A Pop Rivet?
A hole with the diameter of the rivet is bored through the layers to be bonded after the two portions to be riveted are lined up.
With a rivet gun, the mandrel is pulled out of the tube after the rivet has been put into the hole. The two sections are locked together while the mandrel is pulled out because it causes the tube to swell.
The mandrel breaks off at a weak spot that was planned ahead of time, leaving the rivet flush with the surface of the material. It only takes a few seconds to complete the process, despite how complicated it may seem.
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How To Remove The Rivets?
On occasion, you might need to perform the process in reverse and remove the rivet. If you want to replace a piece of a gutter, you may need to remove the rivets that hold the pieces together. A rivet can be removed using a few different techniques. Let’s know them!
Remove A Rivet With A Tool
Drilling it out is the most hygienic way. You might think about purchasing a specialized rivet removal tool if you anticipate having to remove a lot of rivets—say, if you’re rebuilding an old Cessna or an Air stream trailer.
- If the center of the rivet is not obvious, you can use a center punch or a narrow nail set to make a divot in the material and begin drilling from there.
- The next step is to locate a twist drill bit that is one size up from the mandrel of the rivet.
- Place the bit in the drill, position it in the middle of the hole, and slowly drill through the center of the rivet’s sleeve. The rivet should disintegrate.
- If not, try the drill bit in the next larger size. Using safety glasses is recommended at all times when drilling into metal.
Remove Rivets Without Drill
A third approach is unpolished but effective. If the appearance of the riveted object is important to you, this method is generally not the best because it can damage the surface.
- Locate a cold chisel or other tool with a blunt edge.
- Place the sharp end of the tool against the edge of the rivet head, and then hammer the other end of the tool.
- Continue doing so until the rivet head separates. The rivet can then typically be readily removed. The rivet may occasionally need to be pushed out with a punch.
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Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
How are rivets measured ?
Rivets are measured by their grip length and diameter. The diameter of the rivet hole into which it is being placed is known as the rivet diameter. The material’s thickness is referred to as the grip range.
Why are POP rivets used?
POP rivets, also known as blind rivets, are commonly used in a variety of applications for several reasons. Here are some of the main reasons why POP rivets are used for easy installation, versatility, aesthetics, strength and more.
What is the easiest way to remove a rivet?
The easiest way to remove a rivet will depend on the type of rivet you’re dealing with and the tools you have available. You can use hammer and punch method, Grinding method, or Drill method to remove the rivet easily.
Wrap Up
I hope I was able to convey all the information and details regarding “How to Remove Rivets Without Drill” through this article. It is very important to wear safety glasses and gloves while you are removing any sort of metal.
Again, while installation even if there has not been a hole drilled in the component metal beforehand, it may be possible to turn the gutter screw through the metal using nothing more than simple pressure.
