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Data plate rivets

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 6:49 am
by Cav Trooper
Does anyone have a good picture of the rivets used to fasten the dashboard and glove box data plates. The previous owner had repro plates made and attached them with brass machine screws.

Thanks,
Cav Trooper

Re: Data plate rivets

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:26 am
by MSeriesRebuild
Cav Trooper wrote:Does anyone have a good picture of the rivets used to fasten the dashboard and glove box data plates. The previous owner had repro plates made and attached them with brass machine screws.

Thanks,
Cav Trooper
Originals on the dash were attached with screws. The ones on the glove box door are rivited originally. We use tiny machine screws and nuts to attach them, that way if they need to be removed in the future, it is far easier not to mess things up in the process.

Re: Data plate rivets

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 4:26 pm
by vtdeucedriver
If you want to install rivets back in it, go to your local airport and find a mechanic and ask him for some -4 solid rivets, I think the lengith was also a -4 He may put them together for you with a rivet gun and bucking bar. If you want to do it yourself, you can take some tape and put the rivet on the plate and put the tape over the head of the rivet to hold it then flip the door over and place the rivet on the flat spot on your vice and smack the tail of the rivet with a hammer to swell it down. Its a bit crude but works.
The rest of my data plates should be in from VPW, I will give you the exact PN of the rivets to ask for if you go this route.

Re: Data plate rivets

Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:39 pm
by cuz
The correct rivets were oval head tubular wrought iron with black enameled heads. 9/64 (shank dia) x 3/16 (length) 15/64" head diameter.

The service replacements were Oval head, tubular, steel, Nickel plated (bright), same dimensions as above.

You can still buy this type rivet. There are several tools made to set them by hand. The brake lining rivet sets work quite well. Or in a pinch a pin punch followed by a larger flat tipped punch will do a nice job. Just google tubular rivet and you'll get tons of sources.

Re: Data plate rivets

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 1:52 am
by HingsingM37
I used the aviation rivets. They look great however it was impossible to buck some of the rivets adequately because of the lack of room behind the dash. The result was a bent rivet shank instead of a nice mushroom. If I had to do it again I would go the machine screw route. :)

Re: Data plate rivets

Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2010 4:16 am
by Cav Trooper
Thanks guys.

Cav Trooper