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Rivet or Bolt
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2020 9:08 am
by dunoon
I had to remove the RT front fender bracket as it was bent. After straightening I was wondering if I could reattach with bolts instead of rivets. It would make the job a lot simpler. Thanks
Re: Rivet or Bolt
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2020 9:39 am
by jiminbartow
I would, using the proper size grade 5 or 8 bolts, flat washers and steel locknuts. The only one you have to please is yourself and it’s not as if you couldn’t replace with rivets at a later date, if you choose. This will allow you to get your T back on the road and no one will know about it, but you and the weirdo purist that crawls under your T to check
. Jim Patrick
Re: Rivet or Bolt
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2020 9:49 am
by Russ T Fender
They make threaded rivets that you can use. From the outside they look like just like rivets. I have used them in a number of places where I had to remove a rivet and could not install a replacement without causing damage to paint etc.
Re: Rivet or Bolt
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2020 8:24 pm
by JEC
My 15 came with undrilled front fenders.
I used carriage bolts. They have a similar to the rivet head shape.
I drilled the hole and then used a small file to square the hole for the bolt.
I still need to file off the markings on the head.
Deciding where the holes go is the hard part
Lots of other stuff on the to do list.
Lots of fun.
Re: Rivet or Bolt
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 11:54 am
by Corey Walker
I made some of those threaded rivets for a headlight door, also reduced the size of carriage bolt heads on 4 bolts that hold the coil box on my 21. Easy to do with a drill and a bench grinder or a lathe if you have one.
Re: Rivet or Bolt
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 12:51 pm
by Mustang1964s
Cory,
I like your idea. How to you get the nut tight?
Re: Rivet or Bolt
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 1:34 pm
by tdump
I think I used a metric bolt in some of the rivot holes like on the running board brackets.The metric bolt was a snugger fit than the statdard bolt which means stronger
Re: Rivet or Bolt
Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2020 1:48 pm
by Sarikatime
Wow, that huge nail instead of the hinge pin looks factory to me. Lol. Actually a great idea On the threaded rivet and I learned something again today. Thank you. Frank
Re: Rivet or Bolt
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:29 am
by Original Smith
If you decide to use a bolt, be sure to turn the head down to the same diameter as the rivet.
Re: Rivet or Bolt
Posted: Wed Mar 11, 2020 1:24 am
by jiminbartow
To tighten a grade 2 bolt after the slot has been ground down and the head smoothed to the size of the rivet, use a bolt that is 1” longer than necessary. Holding the threaded side above the nut with needle nose vice grips, thread on an all steel lock nut and run it up to the vice grips until you can grab the threaded end below the nut with needle nose vice grips and tighten the nut as tight as possible, then cut the threaded end off close to the nut, leaving enough threaded end to heat and brad. Jim Patrick