hillm Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Hey guys, I'm currently working on a pair of tongs; my first pair in fact. I have looked around a bit trying to find a good guide on making rivets but none of the guides I have seen make much sense to me. Any advice on how to make rivets or what size they should be for a large pair of tongs would be appreciated. After I get done with these tongs I will be working on a hammer which brings me to my second question. What size hole should I make for the handle of a good sized hammer. It will probably be around 3 - 5 pounds. Thanks for any help in advance guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pault17 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 I initially cheated and used a non-galv/chrome 1/4 inch bolt cut to length. you can grind or forge the head down and all works great. Of all things, making rivets are still on my "must learn" list Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hillm Posted November 28, 2008 Author Share Posted November 28, 2008 Yeah, I've thought about using a bolt but decided I would learn how to make my own rivets now instead of later if at all possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomkearns Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 There is a pretty good section on rivets over at anvilfire.com Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orgtwister Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 you could just buy them also mcmaster carr has them i got the last ones i had from a local place that has almost every thing you could need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dablacksmith Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 rivet makeing is a pain... eayser to buy them than make. but if you have to make one by hand take the stock your going to use heat the end put it in vice with the hot end sticking up above the vice enuf for the head pien down(may take several heats ) clean up sholdier with file or grinder and thee ya go.. the problem is getting a good looking head that is centered (tends to want to bend over )and the time ...good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glenn Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 A river header makes the job a lot easier. Eliminates the bending too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pault17 Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Glenn, is that the same as a nail header? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John B Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Why not just put piece of bar of the right diameter, approximately the thickness of the joint, plus 3 to 4x the diameter of the bar, and rivet it equally from both sides of the tongs, Heat it and use rivet sets if you want to or just leave it rustic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hofi Posted November 28, 2008 Share Posted November 28, 2008 Look at BP'S BP1008 Rivets to Length BP1032 Hand Forged Rivet BP1033 Forging a Rivet with a Fly Press BP1034 Forging a Rivet with a Hydraulic Press Hofi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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