BP1008 Rivets to Length

IForgeIron Blueprints
Copyright 2002 - 2007 IFORGEIRON, All rights reserved.

BP1008 Rivets to Length
by Uri Hofi

I forge many type of tongs and I can not always get rivets to the length I need. I have to shorten the rivets to a specific length, so I developed a easy to use tool and a very pimple way to do it.





D = Diameter of the rivet head

A = Future length of the rivet from the center of the hole to the end of the tool

B = Outside Diameter OD of the rivet stock less 15%.







Shows the wooden tool















How to make the tool

Use a piece of wood 1 1/2"x13"x3/4". Drill a hole (D) for the OD of the rivet head. The center of the hole to the end of the tool (A) is the future length of the rivet. Cut with a saw or a disk a slot in the middle of the wood, to 11 1/2". With the saw again cut the bay for the rivet 15% narrower then the OD of the rivet (B).



Shows the process



























The process

1 You push the rivet in the tool The tool will hold the rivet because it acts like a spring.
(if it is made out of good wood)

2 You put it in the vice close not too tight

3 Cut with a very thin cutting disc

4 Take away from the vice and pull the "legs" to the side against the spring tension

5 The rivet falls into the box



This is a little trick but it helps me very much.

Uri Hofi