Body panel replacement

[rip]

I am getting ready to replace my hail damaged panels on my 85 Prevost.The only two places I found were from IBP and from Prevost.I can save about $200.00 a panel from IBP but I have to drill my own holes at about 100 holes a panel and I have six to replace.My question is how hard is it going to be to drill all the holes and get them exactly where they have to be.I am thinking each has to be center punched so the bit will stay on the mark.Does anyone know of any other sources for the stainless steel panels.Also,I am getting a wide range of prices on rivits.I need stainless steel Q rivits and they range from .39 cents up to $1.75 a piece.are all SS rivits created equal? The cheapest was from Rapid Rivits.
  Don

[bevans6]

What is the material, stainless steel?  do you know the gauge and the size of the hole?  Are the holes at the panel edge or in the field?  I would look at punching the holes on the edge, by far the best quality hole.  If you are trying to perfectly match the existing holes, there are tools that transfer the hole location for you.  You might have to make one to transfer the holes in the center of the panel, the one I had was only for holes on the edge.

If you drill, just center punch with a prick punch and use sharp drills, slow speed and lots of pressure.  Use a countersink to deburr the back side.

I use a Roper Whitney punch for rivet holes (actually a knock-off) and the transfer tool is down in the middle of the page.  It's called a strap transfer tool.  http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/to/punchesdiestaps.html

Brian

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Don,

You could use your old panels as a template to line up your holes to drill on IBP's panel.

Nick-

[artvonne]

Hi Don,

You could use your old panels as a template to line up your holes to drill on IBP's panel.

Nick-

  To save $1200 this is the way I would do it. Just be extremely accurate/careful in holding the panels square as you drill, perhaps clecoing each drilled hole in the new panel as your drilling. Put all panels on fully with Clecos in ALL holes, before you begin riveting. You dont need to Cleco all 6 panels on before you start, but I would certainly Cleco down any adjacent panels.

   

[expressbus]

Want advice on panel replacements ontact Eric Brown (864)444-7373. Eric has an Eagle and has reskinned the entire bus - twice! He did not like the way it turned out the first time.

[rip]

My panels are on there way from IBP and should be here next week.I am going to drill the eight hundred or so holes and I have come up with a way to transpose the holes onto the new panels.I have a self centering bit call a vix bit.I have tried it with a test panel and it should work.I use this bit all the time in my shop for cabinet hinges and it really works.
   Don

[expressbus]

Don,

Eric also builds cabinets. You should contact him, you may find you have a lot to talk about.

[edroelle]

When drilling stainless, I found that you MUST drill slow and prevent over heating.   Lubricate with paint thinner.

Ed Roelle
Flint, MI