Best way to remove rivets?

(ldr) · (ldr) **Join Date: Nov 2002** 09-12-2006, 2:45 PM

What is the best way to remove rivets? I'm trying to seperate the deck and hull on my boat and am having a hard time removing some of the rivets. My mode of operation so far has been to use a punch and hammer to punch the anvil in, then i have followed up and drilled out the rivet. But now when i try to punch the anvil the fiberglass flexes and the anvil won't budge. Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks in advance

(marknjenn) · (marknjenn) **Join Date: Feb 2005** 09-12-2006, 2:58 PM

I work in sheetmetal and when we need to remove a rivet we either drill it out or grind off the backside. Depends on how much access you have. Problem with drilling is that you can spin the rivets. Good luck!!

(ldr) · (ldr) **Join Date: Nov 2002** 09-12-2006, 3:26 PM

well i can't just drill them because the anvil is still there. The anvil is steel and the rivet is aluminum so drilling the anvil out is almost impossible.

(dfwharvey) · (dfwharvey) **Join Date: Mar 2006** 09-12-2006, 3:45 PM

A BETTER DRILL BIT

Seriously, with the rivet surrounded by fiberglass you can't heat it up so that is out. I would suggest supporting the section of the hull around the rivet so that it doesn't flex when you hit the rivet with a punch or like I said above invest in a bit that will drill the anvil out.

(ncbschzzt) · (ncbschzzt) **Join Date: Jul 2006** 09-12-2006, 7:39 PM

Drill the bitch, that is the only way.

(grant_west) · (grant_west) **Join Date: Jun 2005** 09-13-2006, 7:34 AM

another vote for drilling.
What kind of boat do you have. This sounds like a Monster project and I would like to know more details about how and why you are seperating the deck from the hull. Most hulls are # bolted and glued and pop rivited so you got your work cut out for ya
Thanks

(ldr) · (ldr) **Join Date: Nov 2002** 09-13-2006, 8:20 AM

This is the link to the original thread that i started. The boat was in Stockton at my parents house, but now i've moved it down to Fresno where I live.

http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/messages/65921/330387.html