SonexBuilders.net

See video:
http://youtu.be/8zfjsZKSmuY
I have drilled out a lot of rivets! Pops and solids. I am a big believer of the drill partway and bust off the head technique.

Bryan Cotton wrote:I am a big believer of the drill partway and bust off the head technique.

Yes, absolutely. That's by far the best way to remove a rivet.

Nice video. I'll add that it's pretty important to have a sharp drill bit for this, and it does dull the bits fairly quickly. (i.e. have plenty of bits on hand.)

Pretty basic stuff but may be helpful for the new folks. Just remember to punch out the mandrel first. You should back up the part with a bucking bar or some heavy solid metal thing when you punch out the mandrel.

I buy cobalt drill bits 20 at a time. Some of them last 3 rivets and some seem to last forever. The one I am using now is from a Spruce order and it is still sharp after drilling a bunch of rivets.

I bought a rivet removing tool and it was a waste of money. I have good luck by using a 3/8th inch good quality drill bit. I use my "corded" high speed Makita drill. The angle of the larger drill bit cuts the rivet head in a larger diameter, and spins the head off without cutting into the skin, then I use a small needle nose vise grip to grab hold of the mandrel and it comes off in a couple of wiggles, resulting in a nice clean hole. Just make sure you stop drilling as soon as the head spins off.

AL Roberts

This is my first post. I am building a Sonex with the 3300. I am 95% done with about 80% to go.

I am using this to figure out how to post to this forum and to add some info on drilling out stainless steel rivets. The reason that it is difficult to drill stainless steel is that it work hardens. This means that any heat generated during the drilling process will harden the stainless steel you are drilling through and the more heat generated the harder the stainless will get. (Like a dog chasing its tail.) The trick is to drill it out while generating minimal heat. This requires a sharp bit, heavy pressure and low rpm. I lean on the drill, use low rpm and watch to make sure you are generating a good chip. If you don't see a chip, you are not doing things right. Learn to be patient.

Al Lavender Sonex #1589

Al,
I agree 100%. Did you notice the nice chip in my video? Also welcome to the forums, hope to hear about and see more of you and your project!

Yes, I noticed the nice chip and the relative slow rpm in your video.


Al Lavender Sonex #1589