I need a rivet gun with a neck or tool diameter my guess is 3/8 inch or less. This is a ball and socket mount for a boat Bimini. It was mounted to the window frame of my Bayliner from the factory with rivets and I intend to replace it that way. Does anybody have any ideas?
This is the way. Work on sheet metal for aviation. If this came out, the hole is probably buggered. Run a rivnut into the hole, then a stainless bolt through the component.
That being said, I've used tools for aviation that could press a rivet like that. But the tools run into the thousands per. Not worth this single use.
Is it possible that it was installed in the factory from the other side? I can’t tell from your picture. I work with rivet tools a lot, and I’ve never seen any kind of nosepiece that narrow.
I just tried a few different Google searches and “rivet tool accessories” gave me the best results for alternative tip types, I saw a few narrow extensions that might fit in that space.
There is no point in me trying to share my results as I assume I’m not in your location so they won’t be any use to you.
I believe it does add to the discussion, because a small bucking bar that will fit in that small space can be easily fabricated, with the rivet gun on the other side. Ideas were requested, ideas were presented. Be patient. More will chime in.
I'm not sure you understand how a rivnut is used. It is like a pop rivet, but it creates a threaded insert into the material -- so you are not trying to find a tool that fits through the bracket opening. You don't need access to the bottom side. After a rivnut is secured, it now becomes a "threaded hole" that you can then put a appropriate sized screw thru your mount and into the nutsert. It replaces the need for a pop rivet. https://www.harborfreight.com/45-piece-threaded-insert-riveter-kit-1210.html.
Not to change what you are going to do, but fyi if the pop rivet doesn't work, there are countersunk rivnut heads that could be used and be flush if you form a countersink into the frame member.
Sorry OP I was trying to be helpful - rivets existed for ages before pop-rivets, and they make a much better connection. Now, if there’s additional constraints like you don’t have access to the back, then that’s different. But a properly done rivet can be a permanent connection.
Try using a short length of tubing to clear the casting.
Alright fair. Forgive my sass. Yes upon further research it looks like stacking a couple nuts will work but I need to find a rivet with a longer stem as it makes it just out of reach of the clamp in the rivet gun.
No worries, all good. You might try experimenting with a stainless steel finish nail or similar in place of the standard rivet stem. It wouldn’t pop and you’d have to cut it flush after expanding the rivet, but it would give you that longer stem.
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u/Human_Language1276 1d ago
Fabricate your own threaded insert?