removing rivets

[William Novotny]

I have a piece of aluminum bar riveted across the top of my tank well the previous owner used to support a cooler. I want to remove it because it's blocking space I need for the bait tank I want to install. What's the safest way to remove rivets if you can NOT get to them from inside the hull?

[YakDout]

Try drilling them out with a bit that's just smaller in diameter than the rivet

[jorluivil]

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[William Novotny]

Thanks allot guys. I didn't even think of that. That's allot easier then I thought I would be dealing with.

[alanw]

I wouldn't even do it the way that dude on the video does it unless I wanted to possibly damage the original hole. I use a bigger drill bit, like 3/16" or 1/4", and just drill until the top comes off or just deep enough that any roll or burr on the top of the shaft is completely gone. Then use a punch or whatever to push the remaining rivet through.

[jruiz]

If you don't care about the rail, I've angle grinded the heads of rivets off. Easier than drilling from my personal experience.

[WildernessWanker]

Definitely don't drill with a smaller drill bit, if it doesn't immediately go all the way through the rivet it will grab the rivet. This causes the rivet to spin, which is warm at this point, putting a bigger hole in the plastic. Careful using the grinder, or a big drill bit is always safe and drill the head off.

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[Siebler]

Most the time we use a center punch. Just knock out center stem and break off head. When they are corroded a lot though we drill them out with the same size or slightly larger bit as the original hole (3/16" on the rivets that are commonly used on kayaks)

[bus kid]

Use a rotary tool to slot a X in the head then use a punch to push I out. We do all the time for FAA repair.