Rivet Squeezer

[Bill H.]

I am in the middle of a 56/7 hardtop restoration. I took it apart and polished/fixed everything but am trying to get it back together and may have bitten off more than I can chew. Anyone know of a reasonably priced rivet squeezer? I've tried air hammer ( I fabbed a die out of a chisel) and dolly -- too hard to control on this thin stainless. Really needs to be a controlled "squeeze". Most of the rivets are round head or flat head, 3/32" to 1/8" solid and most are stainless. I have the rivets and have tried everything I know so far nothing I am satisfied with. Any ideas? Thanks.

One more thing -- I will never do this again !!

[Tracy C.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Bill, put 'rivet squeezer' in the search tab at eBay. Lots to pick from.

tc

[Las K.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Bill,

I bought my set at THE YARDSTORE.COM 800-888-8991, but your side window rivets will still be difficult because of their location. You may also need to grind the flare insert for the side window top rivet. It is real close to the top channel and does not give sufficient clearance. Good luck.

[Gary C.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Bill, how about Aero-Rivet Tool (440) 871-6496 size is 4"X3". Is that too big? They're a Driveline advertiser. On page 31 of current Driveline. Gary....

[Bill H.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Thanks for the replies -- I took Tracey's advice and found many options on eBay -- pretty pricey for the pneumatic ones ($700-2000). Anyone have any experience with the TATCO manual squeezer? Its about $300-400 with the dies and that's about as far as I want to go with this one-time event. I'm calculating that I need about 4-5000psi to properly crush a stainless 5/32" rivet. Sound right? Input on what spec I should be looking for? Thank you gents -- you have been helpful and Gary I will check out the one in the Driveline. This thing may still be here on the bench by time for Kissimmee so maybe you can show me how.

[Gerard F.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Bill,

How about something like this:



This is a hole punch which you can get for much less than $100. I modified as a rivet squeezer. The backing is just a bolt, where I ground out the shape of the rivet head in the bolt head.

Worked great for my 67 ignition shield clip rivets. But that was with 1/8" hollow steel rivets. Not sure how it would work with solid SS rivets in your application, but it might

[Bill H.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Bill,

I bought my set at THE YARDSTORE.COM 800-888-8991, but your side window rivets will still be difficult because of their location. You may also need to grind the flare insert for the side window top rivet. It is real close to the top channel and does not give sufficient clearance. Good luck.

Las that is a very good tip -- they have a good line of rebuilt pneumatic squeezers. Which one specifically did you buy and since you made the comment about how close it is to the drip rail, have you done what I am doing? Thanks again.

Bill

[Bill H.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Bill,

How about something like this:



This is a hole punch which you can get for much less than $100. I modified as a rivet squeezer. The backing is just a bolt, where I ground out the shape of the rivet head in the bolt head.

Worked great for my 67 ignition shield clip rivets. But that was with 1/8" hollow steel rivets. Not sure how it would work with solid SS rivets in your application, but it might

Geraed,

I think the throat opening is a little too small and I wont be able to get it into the places I need but I still think you made a cool tool and would like to know more about the hole punch you started with -- brand or part number or source? Thank you

Bill

[Las K.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Bill,

I've been working on my hard top for the last 3 weekends and learning as I go along. Made a few mistakes but easily corrected. you're getting some good advise on this tread.

The Tatco is a very good professional product, but the guy's at work all recommended the Texas product which will last me a lifetime and does the job. We preferred the hand sqeezer because it gives more feel for compression. I bought the set which has the standard and 3" yoke, but wished that I had also purchased the 2 X 2 yoke which would have given better access. I also bought 2 sqeeze sets and paid about $175.00 for every thing. Recommend that you get a long / thin insert for the side windows.

If you're going to install the windows, keep the protection tape on until every thing is in place. You're finger nails will scratch the lexan. Also, I left the head liner for last and that was a big mistake because it needs to be placed under the front header. I used the Al Knoch headliner.

If you do get scratched in the lexan, I bought the polish from Matt at the Glassworks and it does a great job.

Good luck

[Bill H.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Las, would you be willing to talk realtime or in email outside the Forum -- I have questions and would love to have someone to call when I get stuck -- sounds like you are a few weeks ahead of me but you've plowed the same ground. My direct email address is hutchhouse1@hotmail.com.

I didn't understand your comment about the "Texas" product -- is that the brand of one of the Yardstore tools -- must have missed that. Can't tell you how much I appreciate your help and the others who have also responded. I'm feeling a little better about this -- but I'll still never do it again !!

Bill

[Greg P.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Bill, I used a Tatco rivet squeezer for my 57 hardtop and worked great. I also purchased different sized jaws to fit different rivets. If you would like we can make arrangments and I will send you the tool. Email me gp133@optonline.net

[Las K.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Bill, Your profile shows that you are in Florida and I'm just west of Tampa. How far apart are we. I'll send an email with contact information and can also loan you the set.

[Gary C.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Las, which production # did you purchase from The Yardstore? Gary....

[Las K.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Gary,

I got Item #16305, 11211, 10110, and should have also bought #16308.

Bill was here earlier today and picked up the squeeze set, so let's wish him luck.

[Gary C.]

Re: Rivet Squeezer

Las, appreciate the info. Bill will let us know how it works out for him. Thanks, Gary....