Just wondering if anyone here has had experiance using / installing the semi-tubular rivets that are used throughout all pinball machines?  Specifically the tools that are required to install these types of rivets.  (like the ones found here http://www.pinrestore.com/Riveting.html)

What I'm wondering is where could one find this stuff locally (except the modified arbor press of course)?  What I'm hoping to do is find the dyes and rivets locally and rig something up to work in my drill press, instead of buying an arbor press.  I've got a bunch of NOS and a few repro plastics that'll need to be riveted when I start reassembling the topside of my T2 PF.

Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,
Doug

I'll take a picture of what I use tonight. looks pretty much like this:

HERE and the Rivets

At that price, try to see if you like it?  I find it does the job very well on metal and on plastic.

More rivet replacement information.
http://home.earthlink.net/~billg4me/pinball/rivet/#rivet_tools

hope it helps.

Adam

Mr Hyde:
Those are pop rivets.  It's not the same.  You can't get a smooth finish for metal flaps etc..

Mike

hmm...right.

Works fine for everything else

Thanks for the replys guys.

MrHyde, seeing as I'm trying to keep the resto as close to factory as possible I want to use the semi-tubular rivets (and associated tools) for all the plastics.  Pop rivets will do the job, but alas not look factory.  (I've already got all the pop rivet stuff from a previous life but it's just not good enough)

Adam, thanks for the link.  I too read through that site a few nights ago and it has given me some more pricing to try and judge whether or not to buy from the US or try to find something local.  That site lists the clinching tool @ $25 US and the head tool for $1.49, which is better than pinrestore overall but I've gotta be able to find this stuff in Toronto somewhere.......

If anyone else has some info / tips I'm all ears.

Thanks,
Doug

Hi Doug

I picked up one of these for riveting the plastics etc

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=13727&item=6238536789

This guy, Hurky makes them and sells extra rivets also as does Pinrestore. He sent them quickly. I've only used it once so far but worked well. I actually bought his toy car version as same but nobody bids on it unlike the "pinball" one.

If you want it for a short period, I can mail mine up to you to use and then just send it back if you like but it's reasonably heavy so probably more cost efective to buy one, but offer"s open.

LMK
Mary Ellen

Quoted from Menace

Adam, thanks for the link.  I too read through that site a few nights ago and it has given me some more pricing to try and judge whether or not to buy from the US or try to find something local.  That site lists the clinching tool @ $25 US and the head tool for $1.49, which is better than pinrestore overall but I've gotta be able to find this stuff in Toronto somewhere.......

Man I guess I'm just old cause I remember when leather tooling was cool and you couldn't walk a block without tripping over a Tandy leather....Or maybe it was just a Winnipeg thing?

The tool Mary Ellen linked looks good.

There were also these
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Tandy-Leath.....Z75565QQcmdZViewItem
but I bet it would be more reassuring to buy something that is stated to do pinball rivets as opposed to experimenting.

I'll keep looking
Adam (who really has nothing better to do at the moment)

This is why I love MAACA.  Ask and you shall receive!

Mary Ellen, I appreciate the offer on loaning me the rivet tool.  If my T2 was the only pin that would be getting the full resto treatment I would take you up on that offer.  Unfortunately (well, fortunately really) I've got 2 WH20's, 2 Shadows, a Funhouse and Black Hole (possibly a Sacred Stiff too) that will be undergoing the resto treatment as soon as T2 is back in my lineup so I'm really looking to buy one.  

How did the C-Clamp type press work out?  I've read mixed reviews on these types of rivet tools so was really only looking for an arbor type (or one that I could adapt to my drill press).  I'd be interested to hear your feedback on how yours worked out.

As for the set Adam dug up, that would pretty much do the trick.  Unfortunately the kit you listed doesn't do the 1/8" rivets eh?  I could easliy adapt that kit to work on my drill press, just wonder if it's available in the right size?  Hmmmm.

If anyone comes across anything else, please let me know.

Doug

O.k still in the U.S

But it looks like you can get everything you need here.. Don't know about prices though... Still they may be good for reference information.

Clinchers:
http://www.hansonrivet.com/w78.htm

Squeezer dies:
http://www.hansonrivet.com/w83.htm

and a bench tool:
http://www.hansonrivet.com/w79.htm

Adam

Funny you should post something about Hanson, I just finished sending them an email about their HT-147 hand clincher and tubular die.  According to their site I can adapt this set to work in my drill press, so I'll be very interested to see what $$ it comes back at.

I'll keep you posted.

Doug

Quoted from Menace

I just finished sending them an email about their HT-147 hand clincher and tubular die.

HT-147 ??? or HT-174 ???

It also looks like the truss head squeezer dies are optional and not included with the Clinchers... They have seperate part numbers...
http://www.hansonrivet.com/w83.htm

1/8" OVAL / TRUSS HEAD die = CA2004-*
*=length of die, 1/8" -> 1", (8x -> 14)

Sorry just wanted to make sure that you get what you expected... I would hate to lead you down a garden path.
Adam

Whooops!  Thanks for pointing that out, just my lexdysia kickin' in!

You're right about the clincher part#, it's HT-174 and the truss head die part# I'm going with is the CA2004-14 (the 1" length version).

Doug

Bought one from Harky a while back...  Worked like s***! The C-clamp bended after two applications...  Spend more $$$  and go with the Hanson tool if you are going to use this on more then once.

Marty

Hey Doug,

Shaggy's talking about the rivet tools in the system11 video (Banzai War) and he says: get the big one from pin restore. sure it's a little more expensive but you'll know where that extra money went after the first use !

The only reason I'm draggin' my feet on the Pinrestore one is

A) Shipping is going to be $$
B) The arbor is limited when it comes to certian plastics due to it's size
C) I'm sure I could assemble all the same bits and use my drill press as the arbor for WAY less

I'm still waiting to hear back from Hanson's, as it looks like I'll only need two bits to make the drill press do the same thing Pinrestores arbor does.  So way less $$ on parts AND shipping means more $$ for other parts.  (like pop-bumper light sockets!  )

Marty, thanks for the heads up on the C-clamp version.  Just by looking at the design made me think it would only be good for the odd use here and there.

Doug

Quoted from Menace

I'm still waiting to hear back from Hanson's, as it looks like I'll only need two bits to make the drill press do the same thing Pinrestores arbor does. 

Don't forget option D:

Buy the required dies from pinrestore and use them to modify your drill press... It looks as though the items they're selling are the same as the ones from Hanson's.

BTW, what size is your drill press... do you think that the spindle handles will supply enough leverage without bending?

Just a nasty thought.
Adam

Adam,

The drill press I've got is an industrial unit (came out of a machine shop) and it'pretty beefy, and I'm confident it'll do the job no problem.  Besides, I'll be using the nickle plated brass rivets (sane as stock) which are pretty 'soft' instead of the 'hard' stainless.

Just so you guys know, I got a quote back from Hanson's on the two pieces I'll need, and the HT-174 (thanks Adam) is $25 and the squeezer dye is $15.  So $40 from Hanson's and just under $50 from Pinrestore.  Not a huge savings and I relise Pinrestore needs to make a few $$ from each tool, but the difference will cover the shipping so.....

I'll probably be placing an order for these next week, and I'll post more info when I get them in my hands.

Doug