rivet removal

[1972BackInBlackC10]

so im starting the process of cleaning and painting my frame, i want to remove the supports and body mounts etc so i can clean and paint everything properly. Im wondering what people have used to remove the rivets holding these parts on, iv been using a grinder and its slow going im sure no matter what method i use its going to be time consuming but just wanted to see if some methods work better or quicker than others

my friend had mentioned using a cold chisle and giving them a whack, but my hands are poor and its hard for me to hold onto smaller objects, plus i dont want to miss the chisel and whack my hand haha

[leddzepp]

Grind an "X" into the rivet. Use an air chisel to knock it out.

[Lee H]

4" grinder, 1-2 minutes per, large punch and hammer to knock out. Careful near the end not to gouge up the frame rail. Cold chisel and hammer, good luck.
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[1972BackInBlackC10]

thanks for the help guys

[suspect]

this is how i got mine off. cut off wheel. once you get enough slots cut into the head, you can knock them off with a punch. then use your punch to knock out the rivet. some of them will still be tough to knock out because they mushroom alot on the back side.
the photo is on a bump stop bracket that i was getting rid of, just be more careful when your cutting up against your frame.

i've also seen someone drill about a 1/4" hole through the center, then use an air chisel.

[sjarrett71]

I use a flap wheel to grind the head down then an air chisel to knock it out. Only takes a couple minutes per rivet.

[southern parts]

if you use a hammer and chisel, put a pair of visegrips on the chisel so your hand is away from where your trying to hit.

[El Campo]

You all are so civilized! I have used the Barbarian method with a torch which is very fast but would never do it on a painted frame and you have to be experienced with one or you will get all kinds of collateral damage. I like leddzepps method, never tried that exact method but it sounds like it would work splendidly. Air chisels are nice because they hit hard and fast (unless you have a Harbor Freight one lol) and you do not seem to get as much bending as you do with a BFH

[Cash3481]

I use a 4 1/2" gringer but I take the very thin cutoff wheels and grind one down to use as a spacer then put the second one on top of that and you will have a very thin and fast cutoff blade. CAUTION! These spin fast use eye protection. It takes a few cuts to get proficient but it cuts a rivet head of in about 30 seconds if you don't force it, let it eat and move back and forth slightly on each end of the cutline.
It works and if your careful and keep the contact the entire time the rusted rivets will break the rust seal that is hard to loosen. Find an old chisel of similar size and tap with a hammer and they fall right out.

Hope I added something!

Mike
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[1972BackInBlackC10]

thanks again everyone

[Stickman]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Grind an "X" into the rivet. Use an air chisel to knock it out.

Works Great

[pumpkin]

I just use cobalt drill bits and drill them out. Its the cleanest most consistant way I have found to do it.

[mcbassin]

Pretty hard to beat an air hammer

[1972RedNeck]

I grind the head and blow a hole with the hot knife. BFH tales them out.

[davepl]

I don't think you need to do this, to be honest. I just got mine back from the powder coater and they did an excellent job of blasting everywhere and getting coating in everywhere I can see.

Unlike paint, powder is electrically charged so you can get it "into" places you can't get paint, but even so I don't think I'd go to the trouble. Not because I'm lazy, I just don't think it would have made the end product any better.

[1972BackInBlackC10]

i would do that but we dont have a powder coating place here