search for hot driven rivet fabricator 5

[JIdN]

I am looking for a steel fabricator with hot driven rivet capabilities or experience. I have an historical site project and if possible need riveted structural components. I prefer a upper midwest location but finding anyone is the priority.

 

[unclesyd]

Check at the local union halls that supported the railroad, especially the bridge building aspect. Even some of the highway bridge builders. The big fabrication and galvanizing shops that catered to these same people. Check out the Antique Steam Engine Clubs, both the farm and RR groups.
The last hot rivets I saw driven was in the mid 60's on steel erection. The fellows doing it weren’t spring chickens at the time.

Do you have the tools required?

 

[Pressed]

http://www.thomasnet.com

Search under Riveting Services or Structural Riveting and down on the left you can narrow those findings by state or ZIPcode.

_______________________________________
Feeling frisky.........

http://www.tailofthedragon.com

 

[evelrod]

There is still, I am told, the occasional rivet job on the "railroad" bridge...rare these days as most of these repairs are by using a variety of bolt types. To my knowledge, the last rivet job on a bridge in my local area (Los Angeles) was many years back, however, a call to the local Ironworker's union would be a start...try the Chicago Local. The last 'rivet' job I was on was 44 years ago so finding someone with experience that is still at the trade may be impossible for a 'big' job! Perhaps getting an 'oldtimer' to teach you how to do it? It's not rocket science...just heavy, hard, hot, noisy and, dangerous work.

Rod

 

[JIdN]

Thanks people, Most of your ideas confirm what I was already getting but I've got new things to look at now. I am getting enough info to build a case for tension bolts that look like rivets, at least on the visible side. I want to do the best job I can to satisfy the historical people before I have to tell them that I can't do it historically or authentic.
I found the job description for hot riveter in the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. It talked about a Pinch Riveter as a counterbalanced tool or machine that the riveter maneuvered into position to form the hot rivet end. It sounds like the tool or machine that I would be looking for. As you say the whole process is rightfully obsolete but now my interest is up. I'd like to actually see one. Thanks.

 

[TBP]

I know of a small boiler manufacturer that does quite a bit of restoration work on antique equipment like old agricultural traction steam engines. The replacement boilers they build are all welded, but they'll attach ornamental rivet heads to keep appearances authentic.

 

[evelrod]

I still think its a good idea to get in touch with the Intenational Assc. of Bridge, Structural and, Ornamental Ironworkers, especially the Apprenticeship Council as many of the local apprentice schools have all the 'rivet' paraphanalia on display and many of the schools still teach the basics. You could most likely find an instructor that will give you some 'hands on' experience. Ironworkers are quite proud of their heritage.

Rod

 

[Pressed]

I am sure you have the subject well at hand by now, but I thought I'd look a little more into what others have done:

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/nvic/3_68/n3-68.htm

The "art" of naval maintenance.

http://www.iti.northwestern.edu/publications/technical_reports/tr19.html

Light topical reading.

http://www.du.edu/~jcalvert/tech/rivets.htm

technical

http://www.ukic.org.uk/metals/rivet.doc

A workshop in the UK.

http://www.assemblymag.com/CDA/ArticleInformation/features/BNP__Features__Item/0,6493,100503,00.html

How to

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco-Oakland_Bay_Bridge

see: 4.1 Hot rivet replacement

_______________________________________
Feeling frisky.........

http://www.tailofthedragon.com

 

[tstanley]

Hi JIdN:

Did you ever find anyone? Our shop in Chicago has a machine for riveting switch stands (VAE Nortrak) but we are looking for a machine here on the west coast.

Tom Stanley

 

[JIdN]

Tom Stanley, Just like most of the time I am looking for something I either have to open both my eyes and see what is just in front of me or stand still and listen to what people are saying to me. The structural steel industry uses tools called portable hydraulic "C" frame presses. They use them for punching holes in structural steel. Look up W. A. Whitney. Their presses come in a variety of tonnage and in either flange or web configurations. The tooling for these presses is mostly for punching a wide selection of holes in a variety of shapes but they also can provide dies for setting rivets, either hot or cold. I also came across another manufacturer who makes a press that is for riveting an endframe for rail car frames. The press is compact to fit into the part it is riveting. I didn't take any notes on it because it didn't do what I was wanting to do.

My next step is to find some reasonably priced used equipment. I've found most of my ducks and need to line them up now. I could use a contact with someone with experience in hot riveting in structutral steel fabrication. It might save some me some trial and error.

Thanks to everyone who has made suggestions.

 

[berkshire]

JIdn,
Were you able to locate anybody with Hot rivet driving experience?
I am a sheet metal specialist with experience driving iron hot rivets to 1/2'' dia. I currently live in the San Diego Ca., area, and could give hands on training to an interested party over a weekend.
However I hope that by now you have located someone.
B.E.

 

[JIdN]

Thanks, berkshire. When I get a little closer to getting off the ground I'll get back to you.

 

[berkshire]

Right JIdn,
I will leave the notifiction turned on on this thread so when you get ready, I will see what I can do for you.
B.E.

 

[trainguy]

Have a look at the C50L lockbolt from Huck (owned by Alcoa). The head is a nice round "rivet looking" shape, and they're a breeze to install, and nobody gets hurt...

These are what's used nowadays in many rail car applications, where hot driven rivets used to be applied. They're the equivalent of Grade 5 bolts, strengthwise.

http://www.alcoa.com/global/en/prod...roduct=Industrial+Products+&+Services&Region=

 

[JIdN]

Thanks, the bolt looks good. I'm sure that other restoration projects I'm looking at will call for the Huck bolt. It really can look good where the back side can be obscured or is hidden. The problem with it and other tensioning bolts is that on a channel flange a beveled washer is needed in order to work properly. The combination of nut and square washer in the quantities I will need are just too much for the historical authenticity I am trying for. Some of the fasteners are as close as 3" OC and the rest are 6" OC. I think that in a Fabrication Shop environment A portable C frame press will press the rivets reliably and without the noise and hazards that are usually connected with Hot Riveting. It looks like around 3000 1/2" fasteners for this project. Now I'm looking for a small furnace to heat the rivets to a reliable temp for pressing.

 

[JIdN]

trainguy, I responded way too soon. After looking at the C50L Lockbolt and the specs. my reservations evaporated. Passing up the rivets may actually be an option here after all. Thanks. I still have to argue with the historical folks. We'll see how that comes out.