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Pop rivets, blind rivets and more

Rivets hold our modern world together just as much as they did in the early 20th century. Now large steel blind rivets have been replaced by a wide variety of specialty rivet fasteners designed for just about every kind of fastening application

The pop rivet is perhaps the most popular. Just about every hardware store has aluminum pop rivets you can buy in a wide variety of lengths. The pop rivet can be used to join thin metal sheets together, join plastic to metal and hold pieces together where there is no room for the height of a regular nut or bolt or the appearance of the joint would look worse due to the appearance of a bolt or nut.

A good application of a pop rivet might be holding the handle of a sliding screen door on. The pop rivet head is so thin it wont interfere with the door screen sliding in contact with the patio door. Pop rivets are also used in quick and dirty home auto bodywork repair, to hold new steel onto sections that have rusted out.

While there are plenty of home uses, pop riveting has serious applications as well. Holding aircraft components together and heavy facade panels on buildings to name just a couple of uses. Special rivets can also create liquid tight seals. These applications involve rivets designed specially for the purpose

 

Rivet installation and removal

Rivet installation requires that you first drill a clearance hole through the two materials you want to join together. The rivet manufacturer will specify what diameter of hold needs to be drilled. The hole diameter can be just a little larger than than the rivet diameter, in which case you get a "fixed" connection which can bear load as well as seal once the rivet is set.

You can also drill a hole a little larger, but still smaller than the rivets head diameter. Oversize holes are used to create "live" connections where the material being joined can move a little due to thermal expansion, or creep or other factors. There are even specialized rivets made for "fixed" and "live" panels.

Once the hole is drilled the rivet is inserted with the mandrel protruding out of the hole. A rivet gun is then slipped over the mandrel and tightened to pull up on the mandrel deforming the rivet. Once the rivet head has deformed to create a proper grip, the mandrel will break or "pop" off leaving a perfect rivet installation.

Unlike bolts and screws, rivets are more or less permanent once they are set. So you have to be sure of your hole locations and plan the installation. Rivets can be removed by drilling off the head with a sharp drill just a little larger than the rivet diameter. Drill into the hole where the mandrel used to be and drill down just enough to cut through the thickness of the rivet head. With practice this can be done very quickly.

Care must be taken when removing the head of the rivet to not drill out the original hole made for the rivet. If that happens you will have to redrill a new hole and install a new rivet as well as deal with the problem of how to fill the old hole.

Rivets and rivet guns available on ebay

 
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  • Yuuuuup - Auction Websites in Ontario !

    Perhaps its because of the hit TV series "Storage Wars" going to auctions of all types has become very popular. Both for personal and for business purchases. Visiting auctions can be a great way for a new business to get started. If you are looking for office furniture and factory equipment there are always great bargains to be had.

    Be extremely careful when computers, flat screen TV's and other technology items. You must know the value of these items before bidding. People go crazy about these items and auctioneers know it. In the heat of the moment people often pay more for a used computer that is several years old then they would brand new in a retail store.

    Bear in mind you are buying items as-is where-is and there is always the possibility that the item you are buying wont work or be damaged in some way. Take advantage of the inspection days that most auctioneers provide and factor the risks into the maximum price you are willing to pay for an item. Record this information and have it handy when the auction starts and you go to bid.

    Auctioneers often will refuse to sell an item if it does not draw a high enough price, they will withdraw the item and list it in a future auction where they hope it will gain more more attention. In general it pays to find an item you are interested at an auction where the majority of bidders are not looking for that kind of item. You want to be the only person bidding on it.

    Auctions most often charge a fee over and above what you pay for the item. This is called a “buyers premium” and usually goes to cover the cost of the auctioneers services. You have to factor in this cost. As well, You also have to pay all applicable sales taxes.

    The internet has revolutionized the auction business. Many auction houses use the services of www.bidspotter.com which allow users to view the auction live and bid online without actually being at the auction. This increases the bid frenzy dramatically and drives up profits for the auctioneers. But its great if you want to log on as a guest and get a feel for a live auction and see how the auctioneers work the audience.

    Registering with Bidspotter is simple and is no different than registering for an auction in person. The main difference is that you can bid in auctions across the continent. Just bear in mind that if you win a bid you will have to pay to arrange shipping and delivery to your location if you are unable to pick the item up your self.

    List of auction websites May 2012


    Fair warning !, Auctioneers websites are sometimes not exactly what you would call user friendly. Some like to hide their latest auctions and make it a challenge for you to figure out where they are. You can always throw your hands up in frustration and find the local auction listings in the Toronto Star any Sunday. With dilligence, you can plan out your next auction excursion

    Abco Food Equipment



    This company sells primarily restaurant items and with the frequency that restaurants go bankrupt, its got to be a great business. A great place to find ultra expensive espresso machine you have always wanted. Many auction houses also double as sales outlets for brand new equipment.

    Asset Services, Auction and Appraisals



    Mostly industrial sales of machinery. If you are intimately familiar with the equipment, you can find great bargains if you are willing to tolerate the risks.

    Auction Advertiser



    A directory of mainly estate auctions taking place throughout Ontario. Click on any day in the calendar to find auctions taking place.

    Corporate Assets



    Upcoming auctions are listed in the Toronto Star on Sunday if you get frustrated with their website.

    Danbury Sales



    Up until recently had a retail store location on Lakeshore road in Oakville where you could buy items from their auction sales. Now they seem to have returned to their core business of industrial and commercial auctions.

    Hilco Asset Sales Canada



    URL redirects to Hilco Industrial auction site in the USA which does list auctions in Canada.

    Infinity Assets Solutions



    Mostly company equipment auctions. You can use bidspotter.com to join in the bidding without being there.

    Northern Auction Service Inc.



    Hold regular sales at the sherwood auction sales in Milton, a nice room used by several auction houses where you sit in old church pews while you bid on items. Even if you dont buy anything, the bacon on a bun they serve in the back is worth the trip.

    Principal Liquidators Inc



    Wildly popular auctions every Tuesday in Mississauga go on until Midnight. Principal Liquidations are also well known for their hardwood flooring material auctions.

    Studio 1 Auctions



    Sparse website but do show pictures of upcoming auctions.


    If you have any comments or suggestions for great auctions in Oakville, Burlington and the surrounding area, feel free to post them !

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