Gary Lewis Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share Posted January 12, 2022 Ok, end-of-day report: four of the six rivets are out of the driver's side rear spring hanger bracket. And, I've found a new procedure: Use a grinder to make a small flat on top of the rivet so you can start the drill bit centered up. Drill the rivet with a 3/16" bit - chosen because it is big enough not to break easily and small enough that it bites pretty well. The hole should not go all the way through, but it does need to go past the 2nd layer so it releases pressure on the sides. Drill the hole out to 3/8" the depth of the first hole. Knock the head off the rivet on the side you started drilling from, using the air chisel. It'll go much faster on a hollow rivet than a solid one. Knock the rest of the rivet out with a punch and sledge With that new approach I got those four rivets out in 45 minutes where yesterday it took easily four hours to do six of them. And part of the 45 minutes was developing the technique. For instance, I learned that drilling all the way through doesn't leave you a solid surface against which to place the punch. But, not drilling past the second layer will have you hammering for a long time - and then start drilling again. Don't ask. Oh, and Erik sent me a note saying the 1 1/2" difference between the stock bracket and the lo-pro is correct.While working in one of the most miserable heavy vehicle workshops in the first world, in Queensland Australia, my only good memory was managing to change the way they de-riveted truck chassis’ when making large scale alterations. They would employ a large wedge shaped cold chisel, ensconced in a purpose built long handle made of 10mm/3/8" mild steel round bar wound around it. One unfortunate soul would align it on the rivet, while the more unfortunate fellow would swing Oceania’s largest sledge hammer at it with uninhibited violence. It was insanely loud and extraordinarily laborious. When they roped me in to have my turn at doing a God of Thunder impersonation on the end of the big persuader, I made my thoughts known regarding the exploitation of modern tool technology and was given the response…. “This is how it’s done mate, just get on with it" ……So, during the second chassis, on the second day, the rest of the workshop had had enough of the Dollar-Tree version of Thor and his high decibel art and were coming around to my idea. My idea being, huge Hilti demo hammer, with a 40mm/1,1/2" spade bit, with one guy holding the shaft of the spade bit to direct it on to the rivet, while wearing thick welding gloves, with the other guy holding up & directing the technology rich end of the operation. The removal of rivets is done with an instant violence that stretches the rivet enough while ripping the head off, that its diameter reduces and punching it out is a gentle stroll in comparison to what it was before. An entire chassis done in around 30-35mins, with no noticeable impact damage anywhere, as opposed to a shift and a quarter, with unintentional impact based graffiti randomly appearing before. They didn’t even need to buy the Hilti as you need only rent one when a chassis rework was undertaken. Less noise, less hassle and the undeniable proof that judicious & uncompromising violence is occasionally the perfect answer.Interesting! I wonder where one might rent a Hilti demo hammer? And how much air they take, assuming it is air driven. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meehawl Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Interesting! I wonder where one might rent a Hilti demo hammer? And how much air they take, assuming it is air driven. They’re actually electric and single phase. It doesn’t specifically need to be a Hilti, they just tend to be so durable and well made, that even the general wear & tear suffered by rental equipment, via rental equipment renters, ensures they deliver the required knockout blows late in to their dusty careers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Lewis Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share Posted January 12, 2022 They’re actually electric and single phase. It doesn’t specifically need to be a Hilti, they just tend to be so durable and well made, that even the general wear & tear suffered by rental equipment, via rental equipment renters, ensures they deliver the required knockout blows late in to their dusty careers. Good to know. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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