Rivet Removal

[Brent]

I am considering a modification to the mizzen mast that will require removal and reattachment of the sail track. The sail track is attached with stainless rivets. What is a good technique for removing stainless rivets?

Saw, Drill, Grind ?

[Mike Vacanti]

I've done this in the past using a cobalt drill bit. It's been a while but I think the bit should be the same diameter as the hole that was drilled for the rivet originally. I do remember pressing on the drill as hard as I could and keeping the drill speed low. I also used a lubricant, I don't know what the ideal lubricant is, I just used WD-40.

[Greg Luckett]

I use a drill, then a cold chisel and/or pin punch. SS is a pain to work with.

[Guest Oyster]

Depending on the nature of the problem that created the need for the removal, if its not an issue of improper alignment or the likes, sale the complete unit to someone that is building a new on, minus any other hardware that you have added that is not riveted and start again. Hope thats not to radical of an idea. I bet there is someone aound here thats in today that type deal. What is your plans for filling the existing holes?

Oh yea, you have been mum about the sail of the two lakes.

[Greg Luckett]

I've done this in the past using a cobalt drill bit. It's been a while but I think the bit should be the same diameter as the hole that was drilled for the rivet originally. I do remember pressing on the drill as hard as I could and keeping the drill speed low. I also used a lubricant' date=' I don't know what the ideal lubricant is, I just used WD-40.[/quote']

Engine oil works fine. Something in a 30 or 40 weight.

[Greg Luckett]

I am considering a modification to the mizzen mast that will require removal and reattachment of the sail track. The sail track is attached with stainless rivets. What is a good technique for removing stainless rivets?

Saw' date=' Drill, Grind ?[/quote']

Is the mizzen aluminum? I believe SS will cause corrosion problems and is not supposed to be used with aluminum. I use a good grade of aluminum rivets.

[Brent]

Thanks for all the thoughts.

The lower mast section joint is not as tight as I would like. As a result the missen can wobble abit.

Getting at the sleeve joint requires taking the sail track off the lower mast section, then the top two sections can slide away from the bottom section...or at least that is the plan. I was thinking I might add another layer of cloth and epoxy to that joint, then reassemble the whole thing.

I went with SS rivets because I didn't like the quality of aluminum rivet I was finding. So educate me on what a good quality aluminum rivet looks like and where to obtiain such. Aluminum is much easier to work with for sure. I find no evidence of corrosion, but I prefer to go back with the best materials choices I can.

I suppose there might be other methods to tighten up that mast sleeve joint...like run some epoxy down between the mast tube and the fibreglass buildup on the inner mast. Maybe sink a set of screws through the outer mast and into the inner mast. Need to think about that some more, and get your ideas on that as well.

[Guest Oyster]

If you go the epoxy route, I would make sure to tape the mast sides in the beginning. I would also go the route of the five minute epoxy, which is thicker than normal resin, as the normal stuff would probably not stay in the seam till it sets up, too. . If you have a neat gun, heat the mast up, or hold it in a general area of an outside grill. This will also help set the epoxy, and turn it about 45 degrees when applying it into the seam area. This in my opinion will also allow it to seep on the underside, following the joint edge and and then turn it a bit back and forth. I would attempt to do it that way, if it was mine. All else fails, have it welded.

[Brent]

A good bit turning at low speed with some 30w oil got the job done. Wernt that hard

[Greg Luckett]

Thanks for all the thoughts.

....I went with SS rivets because I didn't like the quality of aluminum rivet I was finding. So educate me on what a good quality aluminum rivet looks like and where to obtiain such. Aluminum is much easier to work with for sure. I find no evidence of corrosion' date=' but I prefer to go back with the best materials choices I can.[/quote']

I use the Ace Hardware brand. The trick to rivets is to make sure the hole diameter is correct, the length of the rivet is correct for the job, and the rivet gun is used correctly. It is really that simple for most applications.