Thread: Removing rivets

I removed one of my security doors so I can replace the flyscreen mesh. The bloke who installed it used countersunk rivets instead of tek screws. After drilling the heads off the rivets I discovered there's timber inside the aluminium cladding of the door jamb. I expected it to be hollow and for the rivets to drop to the bottom. The shanks of the rivets are captured by the timber but free to rotate. So I can't drill them out and they can't drop down out of the way to allow me to fit screws or new rivets.

Can anyone suggest how I might get the remaining bits of rivet out?

Chris I might be a bit rougher than you so i would use a pin punch and knock them in a bit further....

That might work John. It's Vic Ash, so it might require a big hammer! I'll give it a go.

I've never seen a hinge done like that before but since the pictures don't show any inlaying or notching for the hinge is there any reason you can't lift or lower the hinges half an inch or so to fresh metal?

Pete

Id take a sharp pin punch and deform center outwards enough to stop the spin, or collapse them inwards enough to push through.
Its not a thermal break type aluminum frame is it?

Superglue the rivet and/or head in place, then drill out as usual.

Graham.

Thanks gents. Some good ideas there. I’ll start with the glue trick and take it from there.

The windows and doors are aluminium clad to meet the bushfire code.

Originally Posted by jack620

I removed one of my security doors so I can replace the flyscreen mesh. The bloke who installed it used countersunk rivets instead of tek screws. After drilling the heads off the rivets I discovered there's timber inside the aluminium cladding of the door jamb. I expected it to be hollow and for the rivets to drop to the bottom. The shanks of the rivets are captured by the timber but free to rotate. So I can't drill them out and they can't drop down out of the way to allow me to fit screws or new rivets.

Can anyone suggest how I might get the remaining bits of rivet out?

Hi Chris,

A squirt of supa glue ! Give it time to set and drill gently with a sharp drill.

Edit: I really should read all the posts before replying !