tubular rivet tool UPDATE
 

for those of you that have purchased the tonka tubular rivet tool c clamp style....what size die did you order with it? i need to do the hood leathers and bumpers.

thanks

here is a link to the ebay ad
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201074425251

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

On mine, I did not have that option. One side has a ball machined into it and the other side is just a concave shape.

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

hmmmm
so what would you do if you needed one

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

I just use an air gun bb and a c-clamp. Works for me.

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

Here is what I use. Works for brake linings as well. Much less expensive. Gar Williams

http://www.skygeek.com/aircraft-tool...-tool-kit.html

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

we discussed this once before, obliquely.....isn't the Tonka tool rather expensive?

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

yes it was discussed recently and mentioned about the ease of use vs the hammer style when working with a restored delicate hood... the cost is no object i just want the best one man with two hands tool available .

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

I use the Tonka tool and while a little pricey the results are great. I use the 1/8 die set.

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

thank you tin ,
thats the answer i was looking for what size die for that tool..
so 1/8 does it

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

Hanson Rivets sells the squeezer dies - made for brand of manual squeezers that they sell.

http://www.hansonrivet.com/riveting-squeezer-dies.htm

These can be adapted to other squeeze machines. Such as below like mine...

http://thumbs4.ebaystatic.com/d/l225...E2MCisQjUQ.jpg

Joe K

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

I believe the rivets should be rolled and not just smashed if you are going for the original look. The tool head has a special shape. I thought this had been discussed on FB before and a photo posted but couldn't find the thread.
Here's the idea -
http://www.clevedon-fasteners.co.uk/...-rivets-5.aspx
A tool used with a hammer -
http://www.jmurrayinc1944.com/produc...ubular-rivets/

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

thanks for the replies
i contacted the ebay seller who knows quite a bit about his product and rivets in general. he seems to think a 5/32 die would work good. i am going to send him a sample 9/64th rivet then we can decide what works..
i will post the outcome
thanks

Re: tubular rivet tool
 

tool and info update
the ebay seller in post #1 is first class. he worked with me to figure out what size die is needed to do a proper job. i sent him a couple sample rivets to check out and we went with
5/32 dies. i just did the hood bumpers and corner leathers and it came out primo. now i have to do the floorboard irons and shift plate cover clips
this tool rolls the rivets

Re: tubular rivet tool UPDATE
 

I was kind of fallowing this post and Aerocraft came up with a site to get a tubular rivet tools. I already have five different kinds of the tools but the one that caught my eye was part #A404 on that site, so I bought one and boy is it a nice tool. My tonka one has installed maybe 60 rivets and it is about done. this one is well built and looks like it will last for a long time.

Re: tubular rivet tool UPDATE
 

Somehow I missed this thread when it was new. I also bought the same type as Aerocraft, and it works fine. I always put a drop of oil on the tool to help the rivet roll over smoothly without cracking.

Re: tubular rivet tool UPDATE
 

I did a hood about a year ago using the squeeze tool and was happy with the results. Here is a quick set of pics showing how I did it.
http://media.fotki.com/1_p,rtqqwfkkt.../image5-vi.jpg
I think the set was 9/64", but I got several sets, 5/32 and one other.

I painted the hood sides and rivets separately to make it easier to polish the sides without worrying about rivets paint burning. Not the way Henry did it, I'm sure, but painting everything separately also gets full paint on the mating surfaces so it will be less likely to have rust stains down the road.http://media.fotki.com/1_p,rtqqwfkkk.../image7-vi.jpg

a lot of rivets and pieces to paint separately
http://media.fotki.com/1_p,rtqqwfkbt...image16-vi.jpg

a bit of blue tape on each rivet before squeezing.
http://media.fotki.com/1_p,rtqqwfbqq.../image6-vi.jpg

finished handle, sorry about the iPhone reflection.
http://media.fotki.com/1_p,rtqqwfbsw.../image9-vi.jpg

finished hook latch clip
http://media.fotki.com/1_p,rtqqwfbsr...image18-vi.jpg
The round rubber bumper was initially too long and had to be ground down a bit by trial and error to keep it from popping the latches.

Re: tubular rivet tool UPDATE
 

Here is a pic of the tool with the 5/32 die installed

Re: tubular rivet tool UPDATE
 

Mine's the same as we used on aircraft. It looks the same as a miniature Dake arbor press. But I'm not using it for body rivets, only brakes.
Terry

Re: tubular rivet tool UPDATE
 

I've done hood rivets while the hood is mounted, but it takes two people, one to hold the hood and anvil, and one to hold the tool and swing the hammer. Best to have the hood off the car.