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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: scanzel on February 06, 2008, 12:31:29 PM

Title: Rivets ? What to use, where to buy?
Post by: scanzel on February 06, 2008, 12:31:29 PM
I am going to need to put my new rear cap on my Prevost and need to know what type of rivet to use and where to purchase.  I have looked at the companies advertised in BCM but are not knowledgable as to which ones to purchase or length to use. I will probably by an air riveter from Harbor Tool.
Thank You. ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Rivets ? What to use, where to buy?
Post by: 4106-123 on February 06, 2008, 04:50:26 PM
i used these guys get  the rivets that colapse in 3 leg they worked the best for me and have a rubber washer around them for weather tightness  http://www.bylerrivet.com/products/blind-rivets.aspx
Title: Re: Rivets ? What to use, where to buy?
Post by: Dreamscape on February 06, 2008, 05:13:43 PM
Hey Steve,

After I read your post regarding an air rivet gun at HF..............Guess what.............I went and bought one..............Was listed for $99, they sold it to me for $49 and change. Thought that was a pretty good deal......Thanks..........Just don't tell my wife.  ;)

Can't help with the rivets but 4106-123 gives some good advice.

Good Luck,

Paul
Title: Re: Rivets ? What to use, where to buy?
Post by: rcbishop on February 06, 2008, 05:56:26 PM
If you purchased your cap from R&M, they also sell  rivets.  Might Try Byler Rivet in TX.....don't have their address or phone, but as I remember, they are on the web ... Good price when I purchased. several years ago. 8)

FWIW

RCB
'64 Crown Supercoach (HWC)
Title: Re: Rivets ? What to use, where to buy?
Post by: belfert on February 06, 2008, 06:09:02 PM
On the HF rivet gun, it pays to wait until it goes on sale.  It is normally $100 and was on sale last fall for $50 and then it went on sale for $30 around Thanksgiving time.  I bought one at $30 even though I don't have many more rivets to do.

Craig Shepard loaned me his HF rivet gun when I did the 1,025 rivets on my bus.  It still worked fine, but the pneumatic cylinder seemed to not always release right away, but what can you expect after 4,000+ rivets?  Craig had loaned to others before me.
Title: Re: Rivets ? What to use, where to buy?
Post by: Skykingrob on February 06, 2008, 06:15:40 PM
Hey Steve
So far I have bought nearly 5K rivets from Byler Rivet in Dallas TX including 500 of the high polish "Q" old style rivets that Prevost used on my 91 LeMirage XL. Byler is cheaper than Prevost. I used most of my rivets for the roof raise. I didn't replace my rear cap during the roof raise, I cut it and spliced underneath the u-shaped moulding. I bought the Harbor Freight A/C rivet gun and far, it has worked well. The only problem I have had with it is after a number of rivets, it will stop setting them properly. When it starts doing that, I remove the chrome nosepiece and usually find the dull nosepiece loose. Tighten it with the wrench and its good to go. As to rivets for the cap, I would talk to the people at R & M, the times I have talked to them they seem very knowledgable and willing to be helpful. After I figured out how to split the rear cap under the moulding, I didn't need to replace the rear cap so I haven't been back in touch with them.
Good Luck

Rob
91 LeMirage XL
Missouri
Title: Re: Rivets ? What to use, where to buy?
Post by: mikeH8H-649 on February 06, 2008, 06:17:13 PM
I bought my first shave head rivets from Byler in Texas,very expensive,when I needed more I did alot of price shopping and found the best price at the place in Vegas(I think) almost half the price of Byler and much faster shipping,also got my rivet shaver from them   Mike
Title: Re: Rivets ? What to use, where to buy?
Post by: belfert on February 06, 2008, 06:25:30 PM
The only problem I had with the HF rivet gun was it wouldn't properly grab the mandrel on the next rivet if the mandrel from the previous rivet was still inside the rivet gun.  I just had to be sure to empty it every time.
Title: Re: Rivets ? What to use, where to buy?
Post by: Dreamscape on February 06, 2008, 06:44:11 PM
Quote from: belfert on February 06, 2008, 06:25:30 PM
The only problem I had with the HF rivet gun was it wouldn't properly grab the mandrel on the next rivet if the mandrel from the previous rivet was still inside the rivet gun.  I just had to be sure to empty it every time.

I will find out tomorrow, I'll try it on a few missing rivets I found when I removed the side molding. We'll see.

It worked great.....That's because it's probably new....These things will wear, especially the jaws. I wish I would have bought one of these a couple of years ago.
Title: Re: Rivets ? What to use, where to buy?
Post by: FloridaCliff on February 07, 2008, 04:22:52 PM
Quote from: mikeH8H-649 on February 06, 2008, 06:17:13 PM
I bought my first shave head rivets from Byler in Texas,very expensive,when I needed more I did alot of price shopping and found the best price at the place in Vegas(I think) almost half the price of Byler and much faster shipping,also got my rivet shaver from them   Mike

Mike, have a link for that Vegas place????

I need a couple hundred more.    :-\

Cliff
Title: Re: Rivets ? What to use, where to buy?
Post by: Sam 4106 on February 07, 2008, 06:02:44 PM
Hi Guys,
Some of you may not know that you have to adjust the internal parts of an H.F. air riveter if you change nose pieces. I adjust mine so that the rivet mandrel will just slide in and out easily. And if you are using the smaller sizes you have to change the jaws, jaw retainer, and nose piece. I discovered that the nose piece for 1/4" rivets wasn't machined right and had to be shortened by grinding off the inner end where it meets the jaws. Other than that it is a good, inexpensive tool.
Good luck, Sam 4106