Tubular Rivet Tool
 

Can any one describe what the head of the tubular rivet tool should look like. Is it rounded or chamfered? I think I may try to weld a pin to an old set of channel locks I have so I can squeeze the tubular rivets into the hood bumpers and corner leather. Not sure it will work but hood is installed and i'd rather not take it off to use a hammer.

Thanks,
Bob NJ

Re: Tubular Rivet Tool
 

The tool has a circular depression and you WILL NEED IT to make the tubular rivet roll over. I used my lathe to make a tool to use until the factory tool came.

I have done the hood bumpers and corner leather while the hood is mounted by having one guy hold a heavy steel hammer for the backup and me hammering the tool to roll the rivet. It's hard to do on the car and very risky as far as chipped paint. Why not just remove the hood and do it the easier way.

Also, I always put a drop of oil on the tool. It makes for a nicer, smoother rollover of the rivet.

Re: Tubular Rivet Tool
 

Thanks for the reply... You have a point there.

Bob

Re: Tubular Rivet Tool
 

You might just remove the hood sides and not the complete hood to do the riviting; this way you do not disturb your alienment.

Ron

Re: Tubular Rivet Tool
 

I used the kick rivet machine that is used for riveting the lining to the shoes. It does a real nice controlled rollover. You can see in the picture.

The shape you need is a tapered rollover. Not sure the vice grip is what you want to use. They come at an arc and only produce power in a small region. You might do better to make a holder on your vice for the anvil and upset tool and then you can do a controlled squeeze.

I know the hammer method is more likely to cause the rivet to split or so it seemed when I used that method before we got the kick riveter.

Too bad you are way up north of me. It would take about 10 minutes for us to do your hood panels. I am at exit 36.

Re: Tubular Rivet Tool
 

I agree vice grips would be tough. I was thinking more along the lines of channel locks or your vise idea made me think of a C-clamp instead.
Sounds like I'm best off with the real tool though. But thanks for the offer Kevin. There are a few Model A guys around in town maybe I'll wait and see what they have next time I run into them at a show.

Bob

Re: Tubular Rivet Tool
 

There is one or more right now on e-Bay. It is posed on a break shoe, but it is made for tube rivets. I thank last night it was about 10.00. Herm.