Rivet removal?

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himhimself
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Rivet removal?

#1 Post by himhimself »

Anyone have a good idea n how to remove rivets from a flight case?
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2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
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himhimself
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Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:34 pm
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Re: Rivet removal?

#2 Post by himhimself »

I've had this rack case forever. Used to be 28 or 32 spaces - everyone called it the red fridge. I cut it down to 14 spaces quite some time ago, but it's still big. It has two inches of foam around the inner case, plus spacers. By going with 1" foam and 13U, it will fit in my trailer much better, about 5 inches shorter and narrower. Anyway, a TON of stupid rivets to remove. I honestly can't remember how I did it last time. The pop rivets I used in the original cut down are easy to drill out, but the steel ones? Hmmmmm. Any hot tips would be most appreciated!
2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

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Seth
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Re: Rivet removal?

#3 Post by Seth »

Pretty sure the first thing I'd try is just grind the heads off with a 4½" angle grinder and punch the rest out the back (if needed).
Build in process - 2 WH6, one Alpha 6a loaded, one PRV Audio 6MB250-NDY loaded

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Bruce Weldy
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Re: Rivet removal?

#4 Post by Bruce Weldy »

I always try to drill 'em out first from the backside. If you can't get to it, use a punch to get a little dimple on the top and then drill....might have to start with an 1/8" bit to get it started, then go for the big one. Or, use a file to score an X in the top of the rivet to give you a place to start the bit.

If that fails and you don't have a grinder, then it's time for the chisel and a hammer.

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David Raehn
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Re: Rivet removal?

#5 Post by David Raehn »

The rusty one in the second photo is a trunk nail. It doesn't go all the way through. Pull it out like a nail. They are split on the end so they will fan out and grip the wood.
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himhimself
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Re: Rivet removal?

#6 Post by himhimself »

I LOVE it when I learn something new. Thanks David, you are exactly right. I muscled one out trying to figure out how they worked and couldn't figure out that split. So now I know - a trunk nail. Now to find a better way to slip under the head than what pry tools I have on hand.
2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
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himhimself
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Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:34 pm
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Re: Rivet removal?

#7 Post by himhimself »

Okay, so maybe not "trunk nails" but that got me on the right track with google. Bifurcated rivets or split rivets seems to be what I'm looking at. Regardless, hoping this will eliminate a lot of drilling :hyper:
2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

David Raehn
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Re: Rivet removal?

#8 Post by David Raehn »

Many years ago, a friend of mine was a builder of steamer trunks. Steam bent wood and all. The split rivets he bought from a supplier were actually called trunk nails in the catalog, so that's what I've always called them. If you can get hold of the two tabs on the back, where they were bucked, and start to bring them back together, you might have an easier time pulling them.
BFM rig:
6 OT12
4 T48
4 WH8
Other:
56 box Electrotec LabQ rig
Way too many cables
:noob:

himhimself
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Re: Rivet removal?

#9 Post by himhimself »

Oh these sooooooo suck to remove :cussing:
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2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

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Tom Smit
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Re: Rivet removal?

#10 Post by Tom Smit »

Aargh!
TomS

himhimself
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Re: Rivet removal?

#11 Post by himhimself »

Well, a 5/32 punch from the back side, then a small pry bar from the front to pull the stupid split rivets seemed to work pretty well. I made a lot of progress on gen3 of the big red fridge... looking more like a dorm fridge now. Still have the doors to do. With lots more rivet pulling :cussing: But overall, I think it looks good and keeps the sentimental value for me. Even found an old quantas inspected tag from when I hauled it down under decades ago!
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2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

himhimself
Posts: 599
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:34 pm
Location: Vancouver BC & Bloomington IN

Re: Rivet removal?

#12 Post by himhimself »

Good grief, this is taking way more time than I ever expected. Got ONE door done today. Oh well, sun’s been shining, broodX screaming all around… could think of worse days :wink:
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2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

himhimself
Posts: 599
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:34 pm
Location: Vancouver BC & Bloomington IN

Re: Rivet removal?

#13 Post by himhimself »

Was even able to save a few vintage stickers I had put on here back in the … gasp… 80’s. Anyone remember the pirate in LA? And valley arts was my local music store. Lukather, Carlton, ritnour, and all the other la session guys would stop by. Good times :loler:
Jan-Al case btw. They were some good folks too
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2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

himhimself
Posts: 599
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:34 pm
Location: Vancouver BC & Bloomington IN

Re: Rivet removal?

#14 Post by himhimself »

Well, 250 rivets later, I’m finally done with this little project. Pretty happy with how it turned out, too.
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2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

himhimself
Posts: 599
Joined: Fri Nov 13, 2015 9:34 pm
Location: Vancouver BC & Bloomington IN

Re: Rivet removal?

#15 Post by himhimself »

13 shockmounted spaces. The Crown CEs put out 66V bridged, one each to a pair of T30s limited to 50V. The CH can easily reach the 35V otop limit, each channel driving a pair. I built a breakout panel to mount in back for ins and outs. Drive rack and powercenter left two spaces open, so I picked up a slick 2U drawer from Amazon that I really like. Will be perfect for keeping some crucial stuff handy instead of having to dig back through another box or case somewhere.
2xT30 (20", 3012LF)
2xT30 (21", 3012LF)
4xOtop J-array (Beta12, melded/straight piezos)
Truck Tuba (MCM)
Next up: 2xJack12 or family of table tubas

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