How To Remove Rivets From Sheet Metal

Rivets are used to connect thin pieces of metal together to create a strong seal but once you install the rivet it can be next to impossible to remove.

How to remove rivets from sheet metal.

Take a pin center or. Grinding the rivet off. Carefully place the tip of the drill bit into the hole at the center of the rivet. Use a punch to put a divot in the head of the rivet.

Be careful with the amount of force you use as it can still destroy thicker material even though sturdy metal can take a good whacking. Thin sheets may require you to do gentle but repetitive taps. Put on safety glasses to protect your eyes. Holding the tool perpendicular to the fastener you can begin to drill.

Boring through metal is more about pressure than speed. Once you have cut the blind rivet head use a thin screw driver or a small rod to push the rivet shank out of the hole. Finally switch out your drill bit for one the same size as the rivet. Place the tip of the tool between the material and the rivet head and tap it with a hammer until the head breaks off.

A rivet is an easy economical and permanent way to bind two or more sheets of metal together. Twist the metal ring off the bit in a counterclockwise direction. Drill directly through the rivet hole with a 1 8 drill bit. Step 5 place the screw in the drilled out hole and tighten the screw with the correct screwdriver either a phillips head or slotted.

How to remove rivets method 1 of 3. Instruction on how to remove rivets. Step 3 pushing out the pop rivet shank. Grinding metal can send sparks and.

How to remove rivets with a drill bit. Hold the drill straight over the rivet and drill it to push it out entirely being careful not to widen the surrounding hole. Remove the rivet ring from the drill bit using the pliers. The original rivet head is called the factory head and the secondary head made after popping the rivet is called the shop head or the buck tail.