1/4 WINDOW RIVET TOOL

[Cyndi Kritzinger]

I HAVE CHANGED THE RUBBERS ON MY 1/4 WINDOWS AND HAD TO SEPARATE THE WINDOW FROM THE FRAME TO DO SO.
I HAVE IMPORTED THE RIVETS BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO INSTALL THEM. THEY SEEM TO NEED SOME KIND OF FLARING TOOL.
ANYONE HAVE ONE , KNOW WHERE TO GET ONE OR HOW ELSE TO SET THE RIVETS?

[Terry Phillips]

Marrk if its a solid bliind rivert I use a nice small sharp chisel with the head of the rivert placed on a hard solid piece of steel and then tap a X on the end you want riverted or even a punch will work but the chisel gives it a better looking job.
Thats the way I do it unless you want to make up a jig which is a bit more complecated.
I am sure there are plenty other ways of doing it but thats my 2c worth.

[Cyndi Kritzinger]

THANKS TERRY.

THESE ARE HOLLOW RIVETS AND THE ENDS NEED TO BE PUSHED OUT AND FLATTED LIKE FLARING A PIPE. THE WINDOWS ARE ALSO ALREADY BACK IN PLACE SO I'M LOOKING AT SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF A SPECIAL PAIR OF PLIERS OR A CLAMP OF SORTS.
I'LL WAIT A WHILE LONGER AND SEE IF I CAN GET ANY OTHER ADVICE OR SOMEONE WHO KNOWS OF THE CORRECT TOOL.

MY ADVICE TO OTHERS WOULD BE TO SIMPLY CUT THAT SMALL PIECE OF RUBBER, SLIP IT ON AND THEN 'SUPER GLUE' IT BACK TOGETHER.
LIVE AND LEARN I GUESS.

[51splitfanatic]

Cyndi,


Hollow rivets work as well...but it is a two man job. Usually referred to as pivot pins on the beetle or Bus. Make a tool or modify a punch and place on opening of hollow rivet and force the hollow portion open by hitting it.

I would do a test run first on something else though......and do not forget the little fiber washers!!!

Refer to picture below:



51Splitfanatic

[Cyndi Kritzinger]

THANKS.
IS THAT YOUR PUNCH AND/OR WHERE ARE THEY AVAILABLE?

[51splitfanatic]

Cyndi,

That was an example I got of the net...so you are going to have to fab a similar looking tool fit for purpose....and that is why I mentioned the old test run on some other non-VW associated (Maybe an Alfa Romeo) part...LOL!!!

The hollow rivet needs support in the form of a edge steel bench vice with the fabricated tool using hammer to flare the hollow nut open. The hollow rivet can be shortened by grinding it shorter testing it in the window and peening or flaring it with a hammer a vice as described above.

Regards,

51Splitfantic

[Cyndi Kritzinger]

THANKS AGAIN.

[Terry Phillips]

A ball bearing and a set of vice grips or G clamp,it sounds like you are looking for a tool to fix a mistke and not sure if you will find one of them.

[Cyndi Kritzinger]

HI TERRY.

NO; NO MISTAKE. WE NEEDED TO GET THE WINDOWS BACK IN AND SO HAVE JUST USED LOOSE RIVETS TO KEEP THEM IN PLACE. WE HAVE THE CORRECT ONES WITH THE FIBRE WASHERS BUT WEREN'T SURE HOW TO FLARE THE BOTTOM END. I LIKE THE BALL BEARING IDEA. SIMPLE, CHEAP, AND COMMON SENSE TELLS ME IT WILL WORK.
THANKS.