removing rivets - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

William Novotny · 03-19-2014, 11:33 AM

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 · 03-19-2014, 11:36 AM

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

jorluivil · 03-19-2014, 11:41 AM

William Novotny · 03-19-2014, 11:48 AM

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

alanw · 03-19-2014, 01:09 PM

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 · 03-19-2014, 01:46 PM

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 · 03-19-2014, 02:44 PM

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 · 03-19-2014, 03:54 PM

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 · 03-19-2014, 07:23 PM

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.

03-19-2014, 11:33 AM	#1
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	removing rivets 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? __________________ "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." http://www.badinfluencetattoo.com/gallery.php?artist=21

03-19-2014, 11:41 AM	#3
jorluivil Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 6,856	__________________ www.facebook.com/Teamsewer

03-19-2014, 11:48 AM	#4
William Novotny The carpetbagger Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: tha newps Posts: 1,474	Thanks allot guys. I didn't even think of that. That's allot easier then I thought I would be dealing with. __________________ "The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope." http://www.badinfluencetattoo.com/gallery.php?artist=21

03-19-2014, 01:09 PM	#5
alanw Made in U.S.A. Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dana Point Posts: 1,625	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. __________________ Hobie PA 14 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Jackson Kraken ¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu X-Factor ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Malibu Stealth-12 ¸.·´¯`·.´¯`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><(((º> Its not a spelling B its a fishing B ~yakjoe

03-19-2014, 03:54 PM	#8
Siebler Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Richland Oregon Posts: 1,547	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) __________________ CJ Siebler

03-19-2014, 11:36 AM	#2
YakDout Brandon Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 2,345	Try drilling them out with a bit that's just smaller in diameter than the rivet

03-19-2014, 01:46 PM	#6
jruiz Large Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: La Verne, CA Posts: 1,011	If you don't care about the rail, I've angle grinded the heads of rivets off. Easier than drilling from my personal experience.

03-19-2014, 02:44 PM	#7
WildernessWanker WildernessWanker Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Lancaster, CA Posts: 345	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. Sent from my SPH-L520 using Tapatalk

03-19-2014, 07:23 PM	#9
bus kid Team Keine Zugehörigkeit Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Way out there Posts: 2,854	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. __________________ Não alimente os trolls------------Don't feed the trolls---------------インタネット荒らしを無視しろ