[TheForge] Rivet Vendor?

[Jerry Frost]

The trick I like for centering the top header is to chuck it up in my drill 
press, IF it's 1/2" or under stock and put the drill bit in the drill vise. 
The drill press will act like a lathe and tail stock though it's a little 
finicky getting the bit aligned and centered on the stock. A little practice 
and it's not hard, looking at the end of the stock while it's turning in the 
press will give you a good eyeball on the center. A shallow drill hole is 
perfect, just the bit's tapered point is plenty.

Jer
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Novorolsky" <crosspein at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2011 2:46 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Rivet Vendor?


> 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