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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    5

    Post Air riveting tools

    Hi all, as part of project, 5” gauge loco, I need to do some riveting, I purchased some 10mm shank air chisels for a pneumatic air chisel and want to make the riveting tool for 3/16” steel rivets with a domed head, any thoughts on on machining a dome in the tool and the anvil tool as well

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi,

    I've made a couple of snap rivet tools, heat up the end of the punch to red hot and bang it down on a suitable size ball bearing ! Job done.
    Use different size ball bearings to suit the rivet size you need.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2015
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    5

    Default

    Ahh Brilliant!, well done

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    3,112

    Default

    Go to a site like Aircraft Tool Supply or Aircraft Spruce, both in the US. They sell complete kits or individual rivet sets very cheaply and are used to shipping worldwide. I personally use ATS, but have a number of colleagues who prefer other suppliers. I have't been able to fault ATS. They also sell rivet guns, and it's something you may want to look at vs an air chisel. The rivet gun can be throttled accurately, you will do your head in with an air chisel.

    Making a tool to rivet a large number steel rivets is not a trivial task. You will need to use the appropriate grade of steel and both harden and temper it correctly; too soft and it won't last more than a couple of rivets, too hard and you'll wear pieces of the tool in your face.
    https://www.aircraft-tool.com/shop/main.aspx
    Pilot Supplies and Aircraft Parts from Aircraft Spruce

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

    Default

    If its just a small size air chisel like you get at Supercheap etc then I don't think its going to do the job for 3/16 steel rivets unless you're doing them hot.
    The chisels are about the equivalent of a "2X" size rivet gun, and IMO you'll be struggling with anything under a 4X. You need something with a decent hit that is going to form them before they work harden too much.
    Think you'd be better using a decent hammer to form them.

    Back to your question though, to get the profile I'd grind it in with a dremel or similar, while slowly rotating the rivet tool (the proper term is a set or snap).
    I've got a couple of old snaps here with odd profile's that would save you 80% of the work getting a round profile ground in. Happy to donate them to your project - PM me if interested.

    Steve

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