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Post by Rob on Oct 2, 2014 19:00:10 GMT
Hello all,
I'm wondering where everyone obtains their rivet snaps. I have a few from RDG, and whilst they do the job very well, my 5/32" doesn't seem to cover the end of the rivet entirely (for flush riveting) so I'm left with a ring around the head, and a little flat spot on top, which doesn't look fantastic! Luckily for me, most of these can't be seen.
I realise that it may well be the rivets themselves (the head being too large!) but all the same, I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a good set of snaps. I'd hate to have little rings and a flat spot on the many very visible rivets that are in my not too distant future.
Cheers,
Rob
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2014 19:27:56 GMT
Why not make your own? Take a piece of silver steel and turn a bullet nose to the size and shape of the rivet head you want. Then mill away three segments to leave just one 90° segment (viewed from the end). Harden and temper to straw. Take another piece of silver steel which will be the snap. Turn to the required shape and plunge the newly-made tool into the end to leave a hemispherical dimple. Harden and temper the tip of the snap, not too hard or the edge will crack, blue is probably adequate.
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Post by andyhigham on Oct 2, 2014 20:17:30 GMT
I always make them by drilling the end of a silver steel bar just shy of the rivet head diameter and the depth of the rivet head.
Then take a steel bearing ball the same diameter as the rivet head and rest it in a dent in a solid block.
Heat the end of the silver steel to red heat, place it over the ball and hit it a couple of times
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Post by Rob on Oct 2, 2014 21:10:58 GMT
I hadn't even thought to make my own, thank you chaps  |
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Post by Tel on Oct 2, 2014 21:23:03 GMT
I always make them by drilling the end of a silver steel bar just shy of the rivet head diameter and the depth of the rivet head. Then take a steel bearing ball the same diameter as the rivet head and rest it in a dent in a solid block. Heat the end of the silver steel to red heat, place it over the ball and hit it a couple of times I do them the same way, tho I usually take the precaution of putting a ring (offcut of pipe) around the ball/block before hitting. |
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Post by Roger on Oct 2, 2014 21:41:38 GMT
I used a ball nosed slot drill of the appropriate size in the end of a piece of Silver Steel. No need to harden them.
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Post by ejparrott on Oct 2, 2014 22:42:46 GMT
Same here
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,938
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Post by jma1009 on Oct 3, 2014 1:44:33 GMT
i also do exactly the same as ed, roger, Tel, andy and superseven, though i dont usually harden them, and make the rounded half circular holes with a suitably sized dental burr or something bigger. i also add some brass filings into same when in use - dont ask me why!
ive about 4 ft of carbon steel/silver steel 1/2" AF hex if any one wants to make their own tools and wants some!
cheers,
julian
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Post by Rob on Oct 3, 2014 10:16:24 GMT
That's very generous Julian, I'd certainly take you up on that offer, but surely you'll find uses for the remaining 4 ft? |
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,938
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Post by jma1009 on Oct 3, 2014 11:42:37 GMT
hi rob,
apart from making my first centre punch 31 years ago i havent used the material since, and very much doubt i will ever find a use for it!
cheers,
julian
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Post by Rob on Oct 3, 2014 14:12:18 GMT
I'll drop you a PM!
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Post by fostergp6nhp on Oct 5, 2014 9:07:56 GMT
When I bought my rivet snaps over 25yrs ago they were all IIRC Priory brand and they fitted the rivet heads fine but on the 3/16" & 1/4" they did need slightly more than the recommended protrusion to form the head. But a few years back I needed to buy some more 1/4" rivets that were longer than the ones I had in stock, I got them from GLR and when I put one in the snaps I had they did not fit as the snap was about 1/16" from matching the snap end and the underside of the preformed head. I went back to GLR but the rivets were a perfect match in the snaps that they sold. The result was that to get out of a problem I just reprofiled the new rivets as I only needed a couple.
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