Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67-72trucks · 08-17-2011, 07:49 PM

Hello,

Started restoring a 71 GMC SWB 4x4. Having the frame powder coated. I am going to remove the rear leaf spring mounts cause they have swelled out some. I would like to keep it looking original as possible. Looking to buy the rivets and tool for installing them.

Thanks,
Mike

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 08-17-2011, 10:03 PM

Check these guys out.
www.bigflatsrivet.com

Sammy · 08-17-2011, 10:04 PM

I would think the factory assy manual may give you a rivet diameter for the replacement. As far as rivet guns without spending serious coin do a search on ebay for rivet guns. Another is to find someone up around Seattle area go to a local pawn shop for decent deals on rivet tools and rivet heads for what you need. Pawn shops where Boeing or similar manufactures build aircraft. Most folks don't replace the rivets and just use grade 8 hardware but your set on returning to original. New rivets guns can run into a couple of thousand dollars used ones in working order hundred or two. A have a couple rivet guns quality names that I bought several years ago used and still work fine. Good luck.

67-72trucks · 08-17-2011, 10:38 PM

Thanks!
Anyone interested in selling there used rivet guns? Have any rivets left over?

67-72trucks · 08-18-2011, 06:15 PM

ttt

oldblue1968chevy · 08-18-2011, 09:15 PM

Set on rivits huh? Good luck I hate grinding them!

Indyuke · 08-18-2011, 09:56 PM

A pneumatic rivet squeezer. After getting it set up using some scrap metal, just stick the rivet in, pull the trigger and it makes a nice bucktail.

CrewCab59 · 08-18-2011, 10:48 PM

Here is a thread ,we asked about the rivets.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=464109

Scott

72swbcamo · 08-19-2011, 12:27 AM

I replaced rivets on my front spring perches on my 72 4x4 short wheelbase. I got the rivets from bigflatsrivet.com. The folks their are very helpful. Their catalog has a whole section on how to install rivets. I bought a tool from them that fits an air chisel gun. you have to cut the rivet to the right length then heat it red hot. You place it in the hole use a backup tool and round the end with the air gun and the riveting tool. I got very good results
Here's some pictures.

72swbcamo · 08-19-2011, 12:29 AM

I replaced rivets on my front spring perches and on some cross members on my 72 4x4 short wheelbase. I got the rivets from bigflatsrivet.com. The folks their are very helpful. Their catalog has a whole section on how to install rivets. I bought a tool from them that fits an air chisel gun. You have to cut the rivet to the right length then heat it red hot. You place it in the hole use a backup tool and round the end with the air gun and the riveting tool. If the rivet cools off too much you just reheat it again and hit it again with the rivet tool.I the rivet rounding tool is not all that expensive. got very good results
Here's some pictures.

Pictures are not too great but the results were satisfactory.

67-72trucks · 08-19-2011, 12:44 PM

Nice Work!

67-72trucks · 08-22-2011, 05:00 PM

what length rivets did you guys use? Thanks

67-72trucks · 08-23-2011, 09:34 PM

ttt

08-17-2011, 07:49 PM	#1
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? Hello, Started restoring a 71 GMC SWB 4x4. Having the frame powder coated. I am going to remove the rear leaf spring mounts cause they have swelled out some. I would like to keep it looking original as possible. Looking to buy the rivets and tool for installing them. Thanks, Mike Last edited by 67-72trucks; 08-17-2011 at 07:52 PM. Reason: typo

08-17-2011, 10:03 PM	#2
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? Check these guys out. www.bigflatsrivet.com __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

08-17-2011, 10:04 PM	#3
Sammy Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Bonne Terre, Mo Posts: 3,005	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? I would think the factory assy manual may give you a rivet diameter for the replacement. As far as rivet guns without spending serious coin do a search on ebay for rivet guns. Another is to find someone up around Seattle area go to a local pawn shop for decent deals on rivet tools and rivet heads for what you need. Pawn shops where Boeing or similar manufactures build aircraft. Most folks don't replace the rivets and just use grade 8 hardware but your set on returning to original. New rivets guns can run into a couple of thousand dollars used ones in working order hundred or two. A have a couple rivet guns quality names that I bought several years ago used and still work fine. Good luck. __________________ '69 Chevy Long Fleet & '71 GMC Short Step & Project "ODD BALL" "You can wash a pig, soak it in most expensive perfume. In the end it is still just a pig." ODD BALL build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478629"

08-17-2011, 10:38 PM	#4
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? Thanks! Anyone interested in selling there used rivet guns? Have any rivets left over?

08-18-2011, 06:15 PM	#5
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? ttt

08-18-2011, 09:15 PM	#6
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? Set on rivits huh? Good luck I hate grinding them! __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

08-18-2011, 09:56 PM	#7
Indyuke Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lake Stevens, WA Posts: 623	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? A pneumatic rivet squeezer. After getting it set up using some scrap metal, just stick the rivet in, pull the trigger and it makes a nice bucktail.

08-18-2011, 10:48 PM	#8
CrewCab59 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Knoxville,TN Posts: 1,185	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? Here is a thread ,we asked about the rivets. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=464109 Scott __________________ 1972 Custom Deluxe 20 4x4 burb 1971 GMC SWB CST 4x4 1972 GMC k20 4x4 (X- brush truck ) 1971 Chevy CST Blazer 4x4 1971 Chevy C/10 1970 Cab Chassis C30 157" 1971 Cab Chassis Custom 30 Deluxe 157" 292/4spd ( Napco Replica ) 1988 Chevy V30 4x4 wrecker challenger 4812

08-19-2011, 12:27 AM	#9
72swbcamo Active Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Waterbury, CT Posts: 591	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? I replaced rivets on my front spring perches on my 72 4x4 short wheelbase. I got the rivets from bigflatsrivet.com. The folks their are very helpful. Their catalog has a whole section on how to install rivets. I bought a tool from them that fits an air chisel gun. you have to cut the rivet to the right length then heat it red hot. You place it in the hole use a backup tool and round the end with the air gun and the riveting tool. I got very good results Here's some pictures.

08-19-2011, 12:29 AM	#10
72swbcamo Active Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Waterbury, CT Posts: 591	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? I replaced rivets on my front spring perches and on some cross members on my 72 4x4 short wheelbase. I got the rivets from bigflatsrivet.com. The folks their are very helpful. Their catalog has a whole section on how to install rivets. I bought a tool from them that fits an air chisel gun. You have to cut the rivet to the right length then heat it red hot. You place it in the hole use a backup tool and round the end with the air gun and the riveting tool. If the rivet cools off too much you just reheat it again and hit it again with the rivet tool.I the rivet rounding tool is not all that expensive. got very good results Here's some pictures. Pictures are not too great but the results were satisfactory. Last edited by 72swbcamo; 08-19-2011 at 12:37 AM.

08-19-2011, 12:44 PM	#11
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? Nice Work!

08-22-2011, 05:00 PM	#12
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? what length rivets did you guys use? Thanks

08-23-2011, 09:34 PM	#13
67-72trucks Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 530	Re: Who makes the best tool for installing solid rivets on crossmembers etc.? ttt

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