The Ford Barn

Hoogah · 05-06-2015, 06:55 PM

I've just bought new radiator lacing but didn't know about the tool that is used to set the rivets. (Wished I'd read up here first!)

Is it possible / easy / hard / really hard to fix the lacing without using this tool?

Those of you who've done it, how did you go about it?

Mitch//pa · 05-06-2015, 07:55 PM

i did mine on Lucy without the tool but then bought the tool afterwards and have yet to try it... go figure.

mshmodela · 05-06-2015, 08:22 PM

The tool was worth it to me --still amazed how stiff and strong the original rivets were...

Tinbasher · 05-06-2015, 09:13 PM

I just use a small flat screwdriver and spread the split rivet apart. Once I have it opened up then I take a pair of pliers with tape on the jaws and flatten the wings of the rivet. Works well but the tools is much easier.
John Poole

Fred K-OR · 05-06-2015, 09:26 PM

I did something like Don did above except I welded a "V" shaped piece of metal to the old pair of pliers.

Tom Wesenberg · 05-07-2015, 12:20 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Marco modified a pair of pliers by grinding in a pair of rounded pockets on one side. This way the legs of the rivet have a nice rolled finsih like the factory made.

05-06-2015, 06:55 PM	#1
Hoogah Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia Posts: 800	Radiator lacing without a tool I've just bought new radiator lacing but didn't know about the tool that is used to set the rivets. (Wished I'd read up here first!) Is it possible / easy / hard / really hard to fix the lacing without using this tool? Those of you who've done it, how did you go about it?

05-06-2015, 07:55 PM	#2
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Radiator lacing without a tool i did mine on Lucy without the tool but then bought the tool afterwards and have yet to try it... go figure.

05-06-2015, 08:22 PM	#3
mshmodela Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,763	Re: Radiator lacing without a tool The tool was worth it to me --still amazed how stiff and strong the original rivets were... __________________ -Mike Late 31' Ford Model A Tudor, Miss Daisy I don't work on cars --I'm learning about my Model A. Cleveland, Ohio

05-06-2015, 09:13 PM	#4
Tinbasher Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Innisfil, Ontario Canada Posts: 1,174	Re: Radiator lacing without a tool I just use a small flat screwdriver and spread the split rivet apart. Once I have it opened up then I take a pair of pliers with tape on the jaws and flatten the wings of the rivet. Works well but the tools is much easier. John Poole

05-06-2015, 09:26 PM	#5
Fred K-OR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Stayton, Oregon Posts: 3,806	Re: Radiator lacing without a tool I did something like Don did above except I welded a "V" shaped piece of metal to the old pair of pliers. __________________ Fred Kroon 1929 Std Coupe 1929 Huckster

05-07-2015, 12:20 AM	#6
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Radiator lacing without a tool Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Marco modified a pair of pliers by grinding in a pair of rounded pockets on one side. This way the legs of the rivet have a nice rolled finsih like the factory made.