Pop rivet sizing

[daverclasper]

Hi.  Not concerned with the diameter of a rivet head for different strength required (as this is for two parts of a petrol cap) , though is there a rule of thumb, ratio, for the length, IE, for example, if X thickness of metals to be riveted, require X length of head.

Cheers, Dave 

Edited September 24, 2021 by daverclasper

[Pete Lewis]

my rules if it sticks through use it 

here is some data if you fancy a sleep https://www.indexfix.com/docs/ft-re-en.pdf

Pete

[Chris A]

2 hours ago, Pete Lewis said:

my rules if it sticks through use it 

here is some data if you fancy a sleep https://www.indexfix.com/docs/ft-re-en.pdf

Pete

A riveting read 🤪

[RogerH]

Hi Dave ,

 if you were using solid rivets then the material thickness to rivet length ratio is important.

Pop rivets this ratio is less important as the rivet is not truly a structural fastener.

However if you look at Pete's link then you may see that the rivet length is material  T + the rivet shank O/D. 

EG using a 3.2 diameter rivet  with  4mm of material then go for a 7mm long rivet or the next size up.

You don't want to use a 20mm long rivet in 4mm of material.

 

Roger

[Peter Truman]

I sometimes custom make the pop rivet if it’s to long, tap the rivet off the stem/nail saw to required length ie the of material plus a little protrusion (say 1/8in) quick file of the cut end put the rivet back on the stem the right way and fit in hole and pull up, all nice and tidy

[daverclasper]

Thanks. I only need two, 2.4mm head diameter rivets to fit the existing holes, which aren't a common size, so will have to buy online, so wanted to make sure length was ok.

Dave

[RogerH]

Hi Dave,

 2.4mm  'head diameter' is very very small - do you mean shank diameter. (apprx 3/32")

 

Roger

[Pete Lewis]

dave what are you riveting ???

pete

[PeteH]

Ahh! "pop" rivets. Choice of sizes, and lengths, then colour coded as to shelf life and usage. Bless The UK Aircraft Industry. I have several hundred, all of which where declared as "scrap", having not been used in the time scale. Same applied to the Solid rivets too. Ok for General/home use though.

Pete

[daverclasper]

It's a 3 prong/filler neck locating part that was riveted to the inner part of simple petrol cap. Have the usual rivet sizes, though too big.

To redrill the 2 holes for common smallest rivet, would make one of holes very close to the edge of the locating section and be a weak point I reckon.

[Colin Lindsay]

1 hour ago, PeteH said:

Bless The UK Aircraft Industry. 

Likewise the Bus Industry; I have friends who work on buses and they have tons of obsolete fittings, including rivets in all kinds of metal and sizes including aluminium. I'm always calling in on the scrounge!