Top Frame Rivets

[PO51]

I recently obtained a top assembly for my 1928 Open Pickup, however it is in pieces. I need to rivet it together, but not sure of how to do it or what rivets to use. No parts catalog lists the rivets, but I figured someone here has been in my situation, any ideas or suggestions would be great!

[H. L. Chauvin]

Try Model A vendor's catalogs.

[Great Lakes Greg]

I found that bucking rivits was difficult due to the naturally springy nature of my bows and irons. No matter how I tried to brace them, they bounced and flexed when I tried to pound the rivits flat. Not only was it frustrating, but I feared something was going to break if I kept it up. I don't know about the pickup's, but on phaetons the rivits are covered and can't be seen. I ended up using flat head screws and the nuts pictured. I sunk the barrel part of the nut into the bows and ground flush whatever screw thread was sticking up. No, it's not correct, and no, it's probably not how "real" restorers do it, but it can't be seen, and it is just as good as a rivit without the aggravation of trying to buck them.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

While Roadster P/U rivets are different than the Phaeton's, the trick is the proper tools. Using a 2X rivet gun make proper looking rivet. For tubular rivet material, we use brake line cut into a small length and drive it in with the rivet gun after first drilling the hole. Then place a bucking bar on the backside and the rivet tool will flare the end. Then swap ends and buck the end that the bucking bar was initially used on and it will make a very tight rivet.

[PO51]

Brent,
Thanks for the advise, you are such a great asset to the Model A community.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

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Here is some (awful) shots of the rivets but maybe someone can get enough out of these to visualize the process...

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