Rivet sizes

Swa

Swa

Honorary Master
Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
31,217
Can someone explain this for me please? 4mm is easy, but what drill are you supposed to use for 3.2mm and 4.8mm? The latter could possibly go with 5mm but 0.3mm extra just sounds like it might be to loose a fit for 3.2mm.

I don't really want to go with 4mm as a start. Drilling already adds a bit extra to the size of the hole so don't get why rivets are these non-standard sizes and what you're supposed to do about drilling the holes.
 
W

WAslayer

Executive Member
Joined
May 13, 2011
Messages
8,938
Just drill 3mm for 3.2mm.. it's easy enough to just twist the drill bit while drilling to increase the size of the hole..
 
Swa

Swa

Honorary Master
Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
31,217
WAslayer said:
Just drill 3mm for 3.2mm.. it's easy enough to just twist the drill bit while drilling to increase the size of the hole..
Click to expand...
I already drilled the holes for screws. For some reason the bit fits loosely but the rivets still don't go in so it seems like it's going to take a lot of twisting and trial and error for 68 holes.
 
ponder

ponder

Honorary Master
Joined
Jan 22, 2005
Messages
92,825
Get a 3.9mm bit for 4mm rivet or 3.1 for 3.2 rivet etc. Drill bits come in all sizes.

What material are you drilling?
 
Last edited:
Swa

Swa

Honorary Master
Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
31,217
ponder said:
Get a 3.9mm bit then. Drill bits come in all sizes.

What material are you drilling?
Click to expand...
That's +0.7mm which is even worse than 3.5mm. Last time I tried finding fractions I couldn't get any sizes besides .5mm increments. Don't know if anything has changed in the last 10 years.

Perspex/aluminium
 
ponder

ponder

Honorary Master
Joined
Jan 22, 2005
Messages
92,825
Swa said:
That's +0.7mm which is even worse than 3.5mm. Last time I tried finding fractions I couldn't get any sizes besides .5mm increments. Don't know if anything has changed in the last 10 years.

Perspex/aluminium
Click to expand...

NO. If your using a a 4mm rivet get a 3.9mm bit. For a 3.2mm rivet get a 3.1mm bit etc etc

You ideally want to use different bits for perspex & aluminium, the correct bit for the application.
 
Swa

Swa

Honorary Master
Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
31,217
ponder said:
NO. If your using a a 4mm rivet get a 3.9mm bit. For a 3.2mm rivet get a 3.1mm bit etc etc

You ideally want to use different bits for perspex & aluminium, the correct bit for the application.
Click to expand...
Ok but I'm specially asking about the 3.2mm. For 4mm I'd simply use a 4mm bit no problem. But it's going to take a lot of hacking to get a 3mm bit to work. I don't get why rivets can't come in standard sizes.

Ideally, I know. But it's even more hassle getting things like tungsten bits etc. which are also the only bits I could find at the time that come in non-standard sizes.
 
rietrot

rietrot

Honorary Master
Joined
Aug 26, 2016
Messages
33,200
You get drillbits in increments of 0.5mm mostly. For a 3.2mm rivet i would just do one test hole 3mm drill bit. If that doesn't fit then 3.5mm. As the rivet expands it should hold everything together.

Unless you are building an airplane you are probably being to technical about it. Just use whatever size works.
 
bwana

bwana

MyBroadband
Super Moderator
Joined
Feb 23, 2005
Messages
89,382
  • Like
Reactions: Swa
Swa

Swa

Honorary Master
Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
31,217
bwana said:
Drill bits come in a lot of sizes.

You could use a 3.2 (https://www.builders.co.za/Tools-&-Protective-Wear/Power-Tools-Accessories/Drill-Accessories/Steel-Drill-Bits/Ruwag-HSS-Drill-Bit-(3-2mm)/p/000000000000024221) and a 4.8 (https://www.builders.co.za/Tools-&-Protective-Wear/Power-Tools-Accessories/Drill-Accessories/Steel-Drill-Bits/Ruwag-4-8mm-Industrial-Metal-Drill-Bit/p/000000000000013078)
Click to expand...
Ah yes, that's what I was looking for. I searched their site but couldn't find 3.2mm listed.

rietrot said:
Unless you are building an airplane you are probably being to technical about it. Just use whatever size works.
Click to expand...
:ROFL:
 
U

upup

Executive Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2009
Messages
9,030
for a 3.2 I will use a 3.5mm drill.on perspex I will put a washer.
 
WesleyDB

WesleyDB

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 10, 2020
Messages
642
Swa said:
Can someone explain this for me please? 4mm is easy, but what drill are you supposed to use for 3.2mm and 4.8mm? The latter could possibly go with 5mm but 0.3mm extra just sounds like it might be to loose a fit for 3.2mm.

I don't really want to go with 4mm as a start. Drilling already adds a bit extra to the size of the hole so don't get why rivets are these non-standard sizes and what you're supposed to do about drilling the holes.
Click to expand...
3.5 drill for 3.2 rivet and 5mm for the 4.8 rivet. The rivets expand as you rivet them in so you don't have to worry about play.
 
Geoff.D

Geoff.D

Honorary Master
Joined
Aug 4, 2005
Messages
26,878
Everything you ever wanted to know about rivets
www.rivets.co.za

Rivco Products

Rivet products manufacturer of solid and semi-tubular rivets. Supplier of monobolts and huck bolts. Pop tucker agency in South Africa.
www.rivets.co.za www.rivets.co.za
 
SauRoNZA

SauRoNZA

Honorary Master
Joined
Jul 6, 2010
Messages
47,848
upup said:
for a 3.2 I will use a 3.5mm drill.on perspex I will put a washer.
Click to expand...

A washer with rivets?

Do you mean on “top” to protect the Perspex?

Surely upon doing the riveting that washer will be utterly destroyed? Unless it’s a metal washer in which case I don’t see what it’s really doing for the Perspex.
 
Swa

Swa

Honorary Master
Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
31,217
Swa

Swa

Honorary Master
Joined
May 4, 2012
Messages
31,217
I have to say with over 30 joints so far using screws tightly compressing some double sided tape breaking or cracking hasn't happened yet. I doubt it will be an issue as long as the appropriate washers are used.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top