30-31 radiator shell lacing rivets

Brian SATX

Brian SATX

Well-known member
Does anyone have a picture of an original 30-31 shell lacing showing the rivets from the inside? Are they flat or a slight curve to them?
 
This might help you also...
 

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Thanks to all. ModelACoupe3 sent me pics of his original.


Thanks for the offer on the tool, if only it had come a few days earlier.
 
I thought about buying the tool from the vendors but thought it was to pricey for what it is.Instead, I made a tool from a pair of Harbor Fright vise grip pliers and used a Dremel cutoff wheel, a couple of files and about 15 minutes of time. Work's like a champ!

I also used it on the Cowl lacing clips on the ends.

Regards
Bill
 

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Marco made a nice rivet setting tool out of a pliers, and he posted pictures of it here some years ago. Maybe a search will find those pictures. I'll try, but I don't always luck out in my searches.
 
The nice thing about the vise grips is you can set the depth of the tool to go only to the bottom of the "V" and you can adjust the tension of the grip. Basically you give it some force to the point of bending the rivet ttangs and the spring in the vise grips does the rest.

The slight radius on the bottom sides of the "^" point of the tool creates the final position of the rivet tangs and starts the bend. To little and it's hard to get the bend started, to much will cause the rivet tangs standing up to tall. It takes a rivet or two to get it working perfectly. Just follow up on the first couple rivets after you have it dialed in.

It sounds more complicated than it really is.

The only thing I would change is possibly adding some felt on the other side of the tool protecting the finish on the rivet head. I used a rag so it would save the extra step in doing so.

Regards
Bill
 
BillCNC said:
The only thing I would change is possibly adding some felt on the other side of the tool protecting the finish on the rivet head. I used a rag so it would save the extra step in doing so.

Regards
Bill
Click to expand...

How about filing the top teeth off and making it smooth or after making it smooth, use the dremel to create a little concave area for the head?
 
BillCNC said:
The nice thing about the vise grips is you can set the depth of the tool to go only to the bottom of the "V" and you can adjust the tension of the grip. Basically you give it some force to the point of bending the rivet ttangs and the spring in the vise grips does the rest.

The slight radius on the bottom sides of the "^" point of the tool creates the final position of the rivet tangs and starts the bend. To little and it's hard to get the bend started, to much will cause the rivet tangs standing up to tall. It takes a rivet or two to get it working perfectly. Just follow up on the first couple rivets after you have it dialed in.

It sounds more complicated than it really is.

The only thing I would change is possibly adding some felt on the other side of the tool protecting the finish on the rivet head. I used a rag so it would save the extra step in doing so.

Regards
Bill
Click to expand...

Bill thanks again for your posting. I had at it yesterday and it works great! I filed the teeth off on the otherside and put a small piece of gorilla tape on it. I really enjoyed the success feeling of making the tool as much as how good my shell cowling looks. Thanks!
 
Your welcome.

One of the easiest tools to make and everyone has an old and tired pair of vise grips to spare.

Regards
Bill

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk
 
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