Leather hood corners

[Brian SATX]

Is there a magic way to put the leather hood corners on with the hood on the car using he rivets? I have looked at it and seems like it is almost not doable.

[SeaSlugs]

could the leather be dried out and needs oiled to get pliable again or possibly be stretchier?

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Brian SATX

Is there a magic way to put the leather hood corners on with the hood on the car using he rivets? I have looked at it and seems like it is almost not doable.

I have done a couple and had little problem? Can you try and describe what you are up against?

[JOES31]

I just recently installed them. What I thought was an easy thing to do turned into a pain. It was hard to get the rivet through the leather enough to hammer down the rivets. What I did was obtain some longer rivets than what came with the kit and modified them to fit. It would be easier to use some split copper rivets however it won't look original on the underside of the hood.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Best to have two people, and I've done it on the bench and mounted on the car. On the car you need one person to hold the anvil and hood while the other uses the punch and hammer. I used the same rivet setting punch as is used for brake lining.
A drop of oil on the punch helps to make a nice rolled lip.

[peters180a/170b]

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Tom , did the same thing [ brake lining tool and 3 people] make sure no slips and no oil.I used glue between the hood and the leather clip too. I am thinking of not to replace them in my life time...l.o.l.

[Brian SATX]

Thanks for the ideas. THE leather is gone. Chris, I am up against trying to hold the hood, a hammer, the rivet all at the same time. You must be very skilled if there is no problem.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

It really is just an easy one man job, ...the likely problem is the tool. Search out the tool that Tonka toy restorers use (Tonka rivet tool) and make/purchase one.

[Mitch//pa]

here is an old thread with some good info posted by brent

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106770

[ericr]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

It really is just an easy one man job, ...the likely problem is the tool. Search out the tool that Tonka toy restorers use (Tonka rivet tool) and make/purchase one.

if it is the one I am seeing on E Bay it is 92.00.....seems kinda pricey for a two hood rivet installation.....

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by ericr

if it is the one I am seeing on E Bay it is 92.00.....seems kinda pricey for a two hood rivet installation.....

Well, I do apologize for that however it is not mine for sale --AND it does cost money to own tools to do a job properly. Also, notice I did say make/purchase one. It is/should be an easy piece to make for someone who owns a lathe, ...however the purchase of a good lathe is also expensive. Bottom line is folks need to be creative with what resources they have to work with.

[ericr]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Well, I do apologize for that however it is not mine for sale --AND it does cost money to own tools to do a job properly. Also, notice I did say make/purchase one. It is/should be an easy piece to make for someone who owns a lathe, ...however the purchase of a good lathe is also expensive. Bottom line is folks need to be creative with what resources they have to work with.

LOL sounds like the Tonka hobby is as expensive as the Model "A" hobby. BTW I wish there was someone that sold assortments of various sizes of hollow-end rivets, they have lots of applications besides these cars.

[Brian SATX]

Brent, as usual a great lead. I can use that and the ball bearing idea together to get it done.

[1931 flamingo]

I'm not a purist, so when I installed mine I used short machine screws, nut, lock washer. After install took a Q-tip and a little black paint. Really can't tell the difference with the hood latched. FWIW
Paul in CT

[Slowplane]

Originally Posted by ericr

LOL sounds like the Tonka hobby is as expensive as the Model "A" hobby. BTW I wish there was someone that sold assortments of various sizes of hollow-end rivets, they have lots of applications besides these cars.

I've found good selections of hollow-end, and split rivets, at high quality tool/hardware suppliers. (this leaves Home Depot, Lowes, and the like out of the mix..)

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo

I'm not a purist, so when I installed mine I used short machine screws, nut, lock washer. After install took a Q-tip and a little black paint. Really can't tell the difference with the hood latched. FWIW
Paul in CT

The part that folks tend to overlook is that the original design protected the car. It simply wasn't possible for the attachment hardware (rivet) to touch the paint, cowl band, or anything else. It's not just original for original sake, it's functional in a manner nothing else can match.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Marco Tahtaras

The part that folks tend to overlook is that the original design protected the car. It simply wasn't possible for the attachment hardware (rivet) to touch the paint, cowl band, or anything else. It's not just original for original sake, it's functional in a manner nothing else can match.

well that and a rivet is much much cheaper back then as it is now than a machine screw split washer and a nut... not to mention a rivet can be installed in seconds every time to the same degree

i think the assembly time and money played a bigger factor.

[1931 flamingo]

Marco: Nothing touches the paint, cowl band, etc. I prefit and shortened the screw.
Paul

[ericr]

did we ever resolve whether a split rivet would do it?