[TheForge] Rivet Vendor?

[Paul Novorolsky]

For my unsatisfactory attempt, I did center punch. The problem I had was 
that at least a couple of hammer blows early on were not directly inline 
with the center. So the dimple was shifted off-center, and then 
correcting it while you really can't see it is more difficult than 
correcting it in clear view.

Anyway, the point I was trying to make, particularly for the benefit of 
those just starting out is that you don't need to go buy or forage for 
special stuff (ball bearing). You can get by, or perhaps even find a 
better solution by making tools to make tools.

I hope I'm not harping on this. As in all things in blacksmithing. Ask 2 
smiths how to do something, and you'll get at least 3 different answers.

**Paul

On 9/1/2011 11:56 AM, peter fels wrote:
> That works.
> The trick for centering that i omitted, figuring TMI, is to drill or centerpunch a dimple where the indent is to go.
>
> On Sep 1, 2011, at 6:11 AM, Paul Novorolsky wrote:
>
>> I tried that ball bearing method once. First I had to find an
>> appropriate sized ball bearing, then keeping the tool adequately
>> centered on it was unsatisfactory, at least for my skills. Not to
>> mention that I had to stop once or twice to go find the ball bearing
>> that made an escape.
>>
>> Take II involved taking a piece of an old crowbar, drawing it down and
>> rounding the end, then dressing it to a hemisphere with a rasp into a
>> "bob" or "bobbing" punch. Then use the punch to make the recess in the
>> rivet header that is held firmly in the vise.
>>
>> This method gave me more visibility over the work in progress, plus I
>> now have 2 tools. The punch could probably be made from mild steel, but
>> since I wanted to keep it, I used the tougher crowbar steel.
>>
>> **Paul
>>
>> On 9/1/11 12:48 AM, peter fels wrote:
>>> They are easy to fake.
>>>
>>> Heat the end of a tool steel bar,
>>> And drive it down on the appropriate sized ball bearing,
>>> over a sacrifice plate.
>>> Then heat treat and dress.
>>>
>>> They are made for pneumatic riveting hammers
>>> and commercially available in all sizes, or were in the recent past.
>>> For smaller sizes i've been buying from  "The Yard"
>>> which sells light aircraft mfg supplies, often used, at good prices.
>>>
>>> On Aug 31, 2011, at 8:33 PM, Kim George wrote:
>>>
>>>> Does anyone know if they still sell rivet heading tools?
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Kim George
>>>>
>>>> "Why for you try to bury me in cold,cold ground?"
>>>>      Taz
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