What kind of rivet tool?

[Evan Bottcher]

Attached is a photo of a kit I bought including new rivets for the fuel tank flap on the 105.  They're the shiny bits in the photo.  I wonder if anyone can tell me what kind of rivet tool is required to fit these rivets?

Also where I might procure / rent / borrow said tool?

thanks, Evan.

[pancho]

that's the second biggest rivet I have ever seen.

I'd like to know too as I have ordered this kit as well.

[tony]

Evan, I bought one of those kits as well, it even stumped a lot of the tool suppliers as to how you can manipulate a tool into the given space in the first place. I know it is not correct but we used a different method altogether....suggest you ring Paul Rankin and he can tell you how to do it.The rivet itself you may as well throw away. I even tried drilling through it and using a very fine stainless bolt and thread, but gave up on it.

[ItalCarGuy]

Add me to the list of stumped recipients of this rivet. Would love to see a picture of the aforementioned solution.

[Cool Jesus]

that item looks more like something that is crimped in place, similar to how pop buttons on a tonneu cover are secured. i imagine the tool would squash the rivet and look like a c clamp or similar hand tool.

[AikenDrum105]

Not sure if this is helpful - the last loose fuel flap I came across I turned up two pieces of aluminium that looked quite similar to those rivets - the bottom one just sat in place,  and the top one had an m4 thread stud through the middle - so you could use a washer and an m4 nut +loctite to lock it in place, the shoulder kept the flap from seizing when you tightened the nut -  The rubber gaiter on the back of the fuel filler on my car was rock hard - so we couldn't take it off to have the nut hidden above the flap.

Evan - great to learn what the original parts looked like all the same   never seen  them !

[Evan Bottcher]

So this type of rivet is called a "semi-tubular rivet" (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rivet).

It looks like the correct tool is a "rivet squeezer" - e.g. http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/topages/handrivetsqueezer2.php


However I'll probably just talk to Sam about fixing the existing flap and not bothering!

[pancho]

Great find Evan. I'd be interested to know how many Alfa sepcialist workshops actually have this tool and fit the flap when do a afull resto. Aholics didn't know how to fit it and I think Classic Alfa don't either which surprises me.

[Cool Jesus]

Chaps, think I found a solution to you're delema? Maybe? It looks to be the type of solid rivet as I mentioned earlier. AlfaBB members were pondering the mysterious rivet just recently aswell and they've posted a few solutions with various links to tools, etc... hope this helps.

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/gt-1965-1974/180150-fuel-flap-fuel-door-rivet.html

As you mentioned Evan, the sort of tool that would be required is a solid rivet tool, similar to the one you've pictured. Had a quick general goggle search under solid rivet hand tool and I'm sure you could find a more suitable unit (rather than aircraft) for between $50 and $150. Guess it becomes a question of whether it's another tool chalkout for the tool board at home or not. Alternatively, if a few 105 restorers are keen enough, pool together some resources to do your collective job then sell on. There seems to be a continuing interest in how this rivet is installed.

[Brett C]

Hi Even,

These tools are commonly used in aircraft sheet metal work, usually for solid Al-alloy rivets. The semi-tubular rivet is unusual and used where the structure is delicate and it is necessary to upset the tail without the body of the rivet shortening under pressure and crushing the structure. One application I am familiar with is in the trailing edges of the flight controls for a P40 Kittyhawk which are made frorm thin wall al-alloy tubing. To set them properly one needs the hand squeezers and a special 'snap' (the anvils which fit into the squeezers).

PM me, I may be able to help.

Brett