Removing rivets

FirstA

FirstA

Member
I just started on my first Model A project, a 29 closed cab pickup. I am presently taking the box apart. It is very solid but rusty and needs to be sandblasted. My question is, what is the easiest way to remove the rivets? I have tried drilling, then knocking the rivet out with a punch or knocking the head off with a chisel, then the punch. I don't want to grind the rivets off for fear of doing damage to other parts.
I know there is always an easier method. Help is appreciated.
 
like dave says, drill the head, but not all the way thru the rivet, you want the end of rivet to be there so the end of the punch has something to push on when you drive it out, if you need to cut whats left of the rivet off use a metal chizel that has only one tapered face, like a wood chizel, with the rivet drilled there will not be much metal left to cut
 
Most of the rivets I removed, I ground with a cut-off wheel. I only grind on the side of the part that i'm replacing.
In some cases, I center punched and drilled the head.
You can also find a tool from most of the Model A parts suppliers that centers the drill on the head of the rivet. Looks like this. I did not need to use this though.
RA1010.jpg
 
Make sure you use the right size drill bit. If the rivets won't pop out after drilling them, try a slightly larger bit. Don't oversize either as it will remove the head before the drill is deep enough and then it won't come out easy either.
 
Just finished doing mine, drill and hit, a little heat (very little) helped on some.
Taking the sides off of the sill plates was a chore, rusted solid in places, I carefully cut them apart with a 12" sawszall blade ( it bends) find the proper rivets, round head.
Waiting for the rivet setter tools to come.
 
All in all removing rivets is a pain in the ***. Use a good chisel and a nice sharp drill bit. Good luck!
 
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