Mongoose tool

[Gerry P.]

Re: Mongoose tool

Thanks Dick for the info. I did email the ebay sellers inquiring about the different rivet gun designations but so far no response. I'll post it if I hear something

Other questions, what rivet tip tools should I be looking for? Are there one or two or are there several that I would need for a c-1? My immediate project is putting a hard top back together. I see numerous tips for sale on ebay but am not sure what to buy. Or in the alternative, are there local stores (auto parts stores or ?) that carry tips?
Thanks

[Dick G.]

Re: Mongoose tool

Look at the selection of available rivets used for your car from Corvette Central and Paragon and match them up with their respective heads to the tips in the .401 size. They do not have to be an exact match. Google aircraft rivet tools. One I came up with new guns and tips. aircraft-tool.com The new tips are $14.00. Buy used. Most of the rivets I have compressed are varying in size, mushroom to the flat head. With a flat head you can press the bucking bar up against the flat head and use a concave tip to rattle it down. When doing a rivet in fiberglass, drill the hole to the same diameter as the shaft of the rivet. Have fun.
Dick Gutman

[Dennis A.]

Re: Mongoose tool

I modified a beam (C) clamp and it worked. Get one with about a 3/4" - 1" opening. Anvil may have them.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Mongoose tool

Aircraft tols are avalable thru The Yard Store . They sell new and used equipement . I have bought from them in the past ,easy to deal with , fast and reasonable . can't beat that. Hope this helps. Jeff PS You can google them , they have a web site.

[Rob M.]

Re: Mongoose tool

PS: Why is this tool called Mongoose tool. I've checked for the word Mongoose and I ended up with a picture of this animal:

[Bert L.]

Re: Mongoose tool

Rob, I hope this reply won't begin to sound like an advertisement on my behalf, in fact I'm simply attempting to answer your question as best I can.
Many years ago, I devised a straightforward, simple and effective tool which I used to clinch the correct semi-tubular truss head rivets used to secure C-1 axle rebound straps to the frame loops. It was my belief that this little device performed so well that other C-1 restorers would like it also. I decided to advertise and market it through the pages of the Driveline classifieds. I needed a catchy sobriquet to help focus readers' attention to my product among all of the other ads. I settled on "The Mongoose" name as an appropriate appellation for several reasons.
It is small and can be used effectively and with minimal effort in very close quarters i.e. body on or off car. In the animal world the mongoose is a rather small creature which has a fearsome reputation as a fast and fearless poisonous snake killer which battles its adversary in very close proximity in order to bite its head. I know its stretching the point a bit, but in my opinion the texture of original rebound strap material somewhat resembles that of snakeskin; add to that the perception of fighting against an unruly snake-like piece of strapping and the problems it has posed and continues to engender for restorers; (as evidenced by the number of hits this topic has received) then you might agree that the snake anology wasn't too far-fetched to begin with. I thank you for your interest.

Continued success and good luck with the Board!

[James A.]

Re: Mongoose tool

Bert, Are you still making the tool. Where are they available? Thanks

[Terry D.]

Re: Mongoose tool

Bert
Sounds like you could sell a few more of these, I'm in for one!
Terry

[Rick G.]

Re: Mongoose tool

Bert,
I am also in for one if you decide to make more.

Rick

[Bert L.]

Re: Mongoose tool

"TheMongoose" C-1 rear axle rebound strap riveting tool; a bit of history and some other details.

Between 1990 and 1997 I sold thirty of them, all to U.S. buyers; most were bought by professional restoration shops and Corvette clubs although some serious-minded amateur restorers also opted to plonk down the approximately $150.00 cost of the kit. Despite its substantial price it was never a money-making proposition for me. I considered it to be the definitive solution for an existing problematic task and was pleased to have the opportunity to be able to assist my Corvette fraternity and N.C.R.S. members in particular, with this in mind.
I would assume that all of the tools are still in usage as they are virtually indestructible and impossible to wear out if used for their intended purpose, some would probably have had several owners by now. I do recognize the names of a couple of individuals who regularly post on The Board who purchased from me originally. In submitting a comprehensive article to the Restorer (published in Vol.21-No.3 Winter issue, 1995) describing in detail how to fabricate the tool, I hoped to encourage members to make their own if they had machining skills and access to a lathe, or even having the machining done for them if necessary.
As I have mentioned before on earlier posts regarding this subject, I am considering assembling the necessary components and producing a few more of "The Mongoose" now that the burdens and time constraints imposed by the "rat race" have diminished. If and when I do proceed with this venture, I will advertise in the Driveline and gauge the reponses. It seems I've probably run-on too long with this subject, I don't want this response to become construed as advertising on my behalf, my thanks for reading.

[Joe R.]

Re: Mongoose tool

Bert, and me as well.

Joe Ryan 24865

805-559-2675