New Guy Devek: This is an old technology when it comes to Big Solid Rivets that need to be heated so that they will upset properly. Riveting is still used by most aircraft and boat builders on aluminum but they are pop rivets or cherry rivets. (cold upset blind). Yes you need to back it up, Since you know that and are pretty smart, you can figure out the "backing" needs to have a concave to match the head and pressure against the head, hand held or otherwise. It's called a dolly. Look up rivet dolly or bucking. There are many ways I can think of but I would want to watch a video of a ship yard or old building erection, etc to see what the old timers did. Bolted joining has replaced rivets on most structural steel fabrication such as bridges. We do have a lot of info on old trucks, but if you want the history and proceedure for big solid riveting, you have received good general info from those who have done it. If you want more, study the internet or go to the library or search for videos as advised. You may also find a forum dedicated to restoring bridges or ships or a metal working forum.
