Whats the best way to drill out rivets?

[greenbullitt]

I know what a damn unibit is Paul lol. Its not any harder with a drill bit though

i know you do lol, it was info for anyone that watches the thread and did not lol...I like the uni for the simple fact is covers all sizes of rivets...a drill bit does work fine

[TENGRAM]

..I like the uni for the simple fact is covers all sizes of rivets...

and doesn't break

[Cooter]

definitely punch the center out first

[Lason]

If its a dome head rivet then I either center punch and drill with a regular drill bit or if its a big one then Ill cut and X into it with a grinder and finish it off with a air chisel. I have completely taken them off with a grinder and cut off wheel too but the chisel does it quicker. I saw them do the grinder/chisel method on one of the car shows on spike tv too.

If its a pop rivet then its super easy, just hit it with a drill bit and be done.

[matts5.0]

Sanding disk, center punch or awl, and a drill bit.. It's pretty easy! Iv removed several hundred thousand and if it's a solid titanium have fun! If it's just a standard cherrymax or pull through it should be pretty easy!

[scootro]

thanks for the help all! i think i am going to go this route an see if it works easier

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LNG-36020

double end rivet drill bits are designed to drill the heads out of pop rivets in sheet metal.

[Lason]

So you drill one side then unchuck it, flip it and drill again? How do those work?

If its just pop rivets then just get you a big drill bit and drill each one just enough to drill the head off. Shouldnt take more than 2 seconds on each one.

[scootro]

So you drill one side then unchuck it, flip it and drill again? How do those work?

If its just pop rivets then just get you a big drill bit and drill each one just enough to drill the head off. Shouldnt take more than 2 seconds on each one.

Well it has cutting points on both ends. The flatter end grinds down the rivets that have rounded heads and then flip it an use the sharper point to drill the head of the rivet off without over-sizing the original hole. After that just hammer it out with a punch chisel.

This was my Dad's advise to use this special bit so will see how well it works after I get it in the mail!

[Black_heart]

Rotabroach Annular tools
works like a charm even on aluminum.

http://www.blairequipment.com/Rotabroach_Cutters/rota_cutters.html

[Sleeper]

And to think i thought drilling rivets out was a simple ordeal.
only to find out its rocket science lmao.

[Cooter]

lol, a quick punch with a #1 philips and a hammer and 2 seconds with a drill on the rivet head = done

[Doug Hatton]

I removed the (6) heavy rivets that hold on the splashguards to the spindle tonight in the shop. Punched the centers out and drilled the bodies of the rivets out with the drill. Worked like a charm.

[Chili]

The rivets I have taken out are frame rivets with mushroomed heads. I used the angle grinder to take off the head then a hammer and a punch to knock it through. Takes like 3-5 minutes each.

[Grape]

The rivets I have taken out are frame rivets with mushroomed heads. I used the angle grinder to take off the head then a hammer and a punch to knock it through. Takes like 3-5 minutes each.

air chisel is your friend

[Chili]

air chisel is your friend

There were only 6 and I don't have a compressor.. It wasn't too bad.