Tech request: Rivet removal

[4t64rd]

What is the quickest and easiest way to remove rivets, not the little pop rivets but the real ones in old Ford frames.

I've been grinding off the heads with an angle grinder and beating the shit out of them with a hammer and a center punch some move some don't. I've also tried drilling them, but I never get them in the center and I mutilate the piece.

Is there an easier way? A quiet way?

I'd like to grab all the brackets and hangers off of this F-1 frame for later use, I really like the they did things in this post Amazing chassis work (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=471903&Forum=A ll_Forums&Words=1900&Match=Username&Searchpage=1&L imit=25&Old=allposts&Main=467568&Search=true#Post4 71903) http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/image_uploads/467612-IHRS%20061.jpg but the hardest part, especially for my poor abused angle grinder, is the getting the rivets out.

[DrJ]

I sometimes use a cutting torch to cut off MOST of the head then get the rest with a grinder. then I drill a hole part way thru in the middle or close to the middle that's smaller than the rivet shank but large enough to get a drift punch into the rivet and drive it thru. The hole relieves the tightness some and with the hole drilled part way thru I am not mushrooming the rivet while trying to push it out since the drift is already thru it's sorta pullig it thru with itself.

Ya can't just center punch the mushroom and drill thru because you never know if the mushroom head is concentric with the shank. Sone arent...

[Kevin Lee]

I grind a big flat spot on the head first. Then center punch and drill. Small hole all the way through the rivet and then follow it with a rivet sized drill bit. Everything falls apart as if you'd just unbolted it.

Most of the time I work in a small basement after my wife and daughter have gone to bed so I need to be pretty quiet. A slow drill and a container of trans fluid to dip the bit in as I drill - no problems.

[Petejoe]

I have always just used a good sharp chisel and a BFH. Always seemed to jar it enough to fall right out of the frames. Never had problems like that. Try heating them with a torch.

[30roadster]

DRJ has it right....and i like the idea of drilling to accept the punch...i tried your way grinding when i started on the 51.....you'll grow old and crusty before you ever get them out that way.....use a cutting torch to take off the head on one side...try to knock it out with a baby sledge and punch.....if she won't budge go to drilling...I just drilled right through them...some of the tough ones will punch out if you give them a little cherry color with the torch first...just don't get the frame red and whack on it http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[Bruce Lancaster]

You can't actually spot center accurately, so a useful tecnique is to first drill a small hole to about the depth of the head only, then chase it with a big bit like about 1/2" to the same depth. You are essentially using the big shallow cut like a mill, cutting away most of the head. If you perfectly gauge the depth, you will see part of the rivet root breaking through to reveal its location, if you're a bit too shallow a whack with a punch will expose the center by pushing it down and starting breakup of the remaining head. At this point, more punching will driveitonthrough, if it's not quite ready a slight further touch of the drill will do it.
There's a company called Big Flats Rivet Co at Hershey every year--they sell Ford sizes of rivets, tools, and how-to videos.

[The37Kid]

The folks from Big Flats are two spaces away from me at Hershey, GREAT people. Check out their website for rivets and every took you'll need to install new ones. www.bigflatsrivet.com (http://www.bigflatsrivet.com)

[FONZI]

I took like 20 outta my chevy frame. Good drill bit....Drilll em out. Best way hands down.


Fonzi

[Mart]

I showed the technique I used on this page:
Mart's Pop page (http://www.tomspages.freeserve.co.uk/pop/pop8/pop8.htm)

Mart.

[Kerry]

I also use the approved DrJ method. Works for me.