Rivet Setting Tool

[John Andrews 2Participant @johnandrews2]

I have about 2500 brass rivets 3/64" diameter to set on the tender of my new loco.

On the first loco built, I set them with a home made set and a small ball pein hammer. But it only had about 300 rivets, and they were 1/16" dia copper.

BUT, I'm sure I have read somewhere of a tool – probably a squeeze tool of some sort – which might allow the job to be done more quickly. Most of them will be used to attach 1/4' x 1/4" x 1/16" angle to flat plates.

Any suggestions, either of a design to build, or of a tool to buy.

I have been looking at an old vyce grip tool, and considering how it might be modified.

John Andrews

[John Andrews 2Participant @johnandrews2]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I think I have seen them on Bruce eng stand.

Or this swiss company does them

[James BParticipant @jamesb]

Hi John,

There was a hand rivet squeezer detailed in ME years ago – if you PM me your email address I can send you a copy of the article / drawings.

James

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

Hi John,

I also have a design for a hand rivet squeezer which might be the same as the one James has.

Can I suggest you do a few 'trials', as all my small brass rivets are 'hard' and need annealing first. If you can get 3/64" dia copper rivets you may save yourself a lot of work and effort.

Cheers,

Julian

[DodParticipant @dod]

I am sure I saw Fred Dibnah using a pneumatic rivet setter so depending on the scale . . . . . . . . . .

Edited By Dod on 25/05/2016 21:46:33

[stan pearson 1Participant @stanpearson1]

Hi John

I m using a rivet snap held in a chuck on my mill/drill and another snap in a vice fastened to the bed for 1/16" copper rivets in the sides of my 9F tender.

Stan

[John PurdyParticipant @johnpurdy78347]

John

There is an article on making a hand rivet squeezer in the 15 May '87 issue of ME, page 574 that might fill your need.

John Purdy

[John Andrews 2Participant @johnandrews2]

Thanks everyone.

A friend in Brisbane has sent me a photocopy of the article. It looks easy enough to make, so that is on the list for soon.

John A

[Richard S2Participant @richards2]

Rather late spotting this thread, but this image may be of assistance to the tool design I believe mentioned.

I made these to set the Rivets on my very 1st project, as I am/was not proficient in workshop skills when I made them nearly 30 years ago from the ME design. I didn't want to mess up my Wheels and Tender during the riveting process (only 815 rivets).

The bright one left of the pic is as per the design. The middle one is modified to cope with the double 'T' Section of the wheels. The working parts on both are interchangeable as it saved me making 2 lots of parts.

The one on the right is for the Tender (3/64" iron and copper rivets) and is cut from 3/8" thick Gauge Plate.

Certainly worth the time making them.

Regards

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