The Ford Barn

Brian SATX · 02-28-2018, 06:26 PM

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?

msmaron · 02-28-2018, 06:33 PM

the back of the rivets always had a slight curve to them.

Ed Saniewski · 03-01-2018, 06:38 AM

Model T guy's have a tool that comes pretty close to the correct shape.

burner31 · 03-02-2018, 01:33 PM

MSMARON is correct
Changed mine out (original mostly gone)
Sorry...no pics

msmaron · 03-02-2018, 02:04 PM

This might help you also...

kimeccles · 03-02-2018, 04:45 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

to do them right with the curve you need the special split rivet pliers

https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_m...-set-tool.html

I will sell you mine (used once) for $25 including shipping. These are clunky, Chinese made, but after a couple tries and learning the technique of putting them in and spreading them a tiny bit apart first I got real nice results with the curves for the cowl.

PM me if interested

Brian SATX · 03-02-2018, 09:55 PM

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.

BillCNC · 03-03-2018, 03:32 PM

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

1930marie · 03-04-2018, 08:49 AM

Thank you for excellent photos posting! I will have at making mine today.

Tom Wesenberg · 03-04-2018, 10:34 AM

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.

BillCNC · 03-04-2018, 03:01 PM

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

Mike V. Florida · 03-04-2018, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillCNC

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

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?

1930marie · 03-05-2018, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

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.

Thanks Tom -

1930marie · 03-05-2018, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillCNC

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

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!

BillCNC · 03-16-2018, 03:14 PM

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

02-28-2018, 06:26 PM	#1
Brian SATX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 821	30-31 radiator shell lacing rivets 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? __________________ Brian SATX

02-28-2018, 06:33 PM	#2
msmaron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 3,600	Re: 30-31 radiator shell lacing rivets the back of the rivets always had a slight curve to them. __________________ Mark Maron Ill., Region MARC & MAFCA MARC JSC Member MAFFI Trustee National Facebook Admin. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MARC.group/ A7191-Sport Coupe 29 Roadster 29-Town Sedan 29-Original Special Coupe

03-01-2018, 06:38 AM	#3
Ed Saniewski Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Denville NJ Posts: 964	Re: 30-31 radiator shell lacing rivets Model T guy's have a tool that comes pretty close to the correct shape. __________________ Model A Ford Club of New Jersey http://www.mafcnj.org Model A Pick Up Owners and Enthusiasts http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/group.php?groupid=5

03-02-2018, 01:33 PM	#4
burner31 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Shawnee, Ok Posts: 3,471	Re: 30-31 radiator shell lacing rivets MSMARON is correct Changed mine out (original mostly gone) Sorry...no pics __________________ Keith Shawnee OK '31 SW 160-B

03-02-2018, 04:45 PM	#6
kimeccles Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Spokane, Washington state Posts: 250	Re: 30-31 radiator shell lacing rivets Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) to do them right with the curve you need the special split rivet pliers https://www.macsautoparts.com/ford_m...-set-tool.html I will sell you mine (used once) for $25 including shipping. These are clunky, Chinese made, but after a couple tries and learning the technique of putting them in and spreading them a tiny bit apart first I got real nice results with the curves for the cowl. PM me if interested __________________ 68B frame# late May1930, fixed seat, Briggs build plate# & most parts, indicate July, or early Aug. 1930.

03-02-2018, 09:55 PM	#7
Brian SATX Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 821	Re: 30-31 radiator shell lacing rivets 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. __________________ Brian SATX

03-04-2018, 08:49 AM	#9
1930marie Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Oregon Posts: 238	Re: 30-31 radiator shell lacing rivets Thank you for excellent photos posting! I will have at making mine today. __________________ They know enough who know to learn.

03-04-2018, 10:34 AM	#10
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: 30-31 radiator shell lacing rivets 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.

03-04-2018, 03:01 PM	#11
BillCNC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: SoCal Desert Posts: 826	Re: 30-31 radiator shell lacing rivets 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

03-16-2018, 03:14 PM	#15
BillCNC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: SoCal Desert Posts: 826	Re: 30-31 radiator shell lacing rivets 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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