Dear Wrongpaw and Cletis. The most "effective" way and easiest way is ACHIPMUNK way. This is the way I found two years ago after trying all the other "proper ways". I had to remove all the rivets on a TF Suburban. I have lots of experience with aircraft rivets. They are aluminum, you can take them out with a Swedish army knife. The easiest, no damage to surounding area, using no air tools way is: grind down head to 1/32 to 1/16 thick (just thick enough so you can still see where the "middle" is) drill with a 1/4 drill about 1/4 to 3/8 and punch out (one hit). The reason you grind is to have the least depth to drill. No need to drill thru the head thickness. Also said was do whatever is best for you but this IS the easiest therefore a candidate for "proper". if I used the chisel technique on 100 steel rivets, I would still be shaking and would have a scarred up frame. Don't use a torch on your frame. You MAY relieve some stress on the material or warp it or God knows what. Why take the chance? Besides "beating and grinding" is a lot of fun!Bartamos. Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer Honeywell Aerospace. 40 years.
Last edited by bartamos; 04/26/2008 2:19 AM.
