boomshakra[TK] Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 What is the best way to drill out the rivets at the bottom of the helmet that connect the ears to the tubes? I'm planning ahead for when I go for Centurion and am deathly afraid of doing it wrong and damaging my lid. I picked up here & there from other threads that you just use a 1/8" bit and drill out the center, which sounds easy enough. One problem with doing that is one of the rivets didn't 'snap' properly, so part of the rivet is sticking out (an 'outie' not an 'innie'). It doesn't stick out very far, I can file it down, no problem. Thanks for any & all advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MxPxRobbie[TK] Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 First things first, start SLOW. Put the tip of the drill bit right in the center of the rivet, and TAKE YOUR TIME. After a while the rivet will just fall out. I just had to drill out rivets on my Scout bucket and although it was nerve-wracking, it ended up OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mogwai[TK] Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Like he said, don`t drill to fast. It could happen, that the rivet get hot and melts your Plastic. So, be Patient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogueTrooper[TK] Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Hey Jason, I would try going to the next drill bit size up either (5./32") or may be a ( 3/16") bit.. (which will not hurt ) Set the drill to a low speed. have the Lid where it will not rock on you, and/or have someone hold it so it does not move. Could you show a pic of this so we can help you better...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt black Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 It also helps if you hold the back of the rivet with mole grips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomshakra[TK] Posted July 3, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 Sorry for the crappy phone pic... I don't want to drill out the hole too much (using a larger bit) since I will be needing to put a screw there to replace the rivet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt black Posted July 3, 2012 Report Share Posted July 3, 2012 You only need to drill deep enough until the round head falls off. Then the rivet will pull out from underneath and the hole in the helmet will be no bigger than it's original size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NastyNoah[TK] Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Yes listen to the advice from everyone here. I ended up accidentally melting my rivets through my helmet, It was an easy fix with a washer and the screws. So if it does happen you will still be ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madmartigan Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Another tip: Soak a washrag or other rag in water and leave in the freezer for a bit until cold. Then put it against the opposite side when you drill -- holding it with pliers on the rivet or something else besides your hand. Will help keep the plastic from melting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomshakra[TK] Posted July 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 Another tip: Soak a washrag or other rag in water and leave in the freezer for a bit until cold. Then put it against the opposite side when you drill -- holding it with pliers on the rivet or something else besides your hand. Will help keep the plastic from melting. I'm guessing that a couple of clamps on either side would do the trick to keep it in place. Thanks everyone on the advice - I'll be giving it a go once I get the screws & nuts...might wait until after saturday's troop, just in case Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FON Posted July 4, 2012 Report Share Posted July 4, 2012 I'd cut off the nub from the inside. Drilling a rivet out of plastic is risky. It's quite easy to melt a rivet sized hole, due to the friction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomshakra[TK] Posted July 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted July 5, 2012 Ok, kind of went a happy medium between everyone's advice, but it did have its consequences, which can be easily corrected. I used a 3/32" punch to push out the head of the rivet - a couple of gentle taps with a hammer & they came through. Here's where I made a mistake: I used snips to cut off the flared in...which pinched the rivet where I cut. So, it was still firmly in place. I tried pushing the punch through again, but it wasn't working. I should have just gotten out the drill at this point, but I managed to get a bit of purchase on the rivet on the outside using needle-nose pliers. Slowly, I managed to twist it out...at the cost of gouging out my helmet a bit: But, it's nothing a bit of ABS filler, sanding and a touch of paint can't fix. I was hoping that my s-trim would cover some of the damage, but it doesn't. Speaking of s-trim, I will need to glue it in place - the inside nut is pushing it out from the ears making it come loose. Again, no big deal. So, once I do the cosmetic repairs, my helmet is some hand-painted decals away from Centurion grade Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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