To remove, push the center portion in (use small screwdriver or punch, etc.), then grab the outer edge (use fingers) and pull, it should readily come out. No prying, no contorting, no pliers. To install, push the center portion out, place the rivet in the hole, push in the center piece.

How do you remove a rivet without a drill?

For smaller rivets, use a drill bit to drive through the surface. For stubborn rivets that you can’t drill through, grind off the head of the rivet, then bore through it. You could also use a hammer and chisel to break off the head of the rivet and drive it through the surface if you don’t have a drill.

How do you remove heavy duty rivets?

Find a cold chisel or a similarly blunt-edged tool (a slot-head screwdriver works just fine), place the sharp end of the tool against the rivet head’s edge then hit the other end of the tool with a hammer. Repeat until the rivet head is detached. Usually, the rivet can then be easily removed.

How do you remove small pop rivets?

The only way rivets can be removed is essentially by destroying them. The easiest way to do this is by “drilling out” the rivet –using friction from a drill bit to cut away at the inner wall of the fastener, separating the shaft from the head. I always recommend using titanium drill bits to do this.

How do you remove structural rivets?

To remove a countersunk or flush head rivet, you must:

1. Select a drill about 0.003-inch smaller than the rivet shank diameter.
2. Drill into the exact center of the rivet head to the approximate depth of the head.
3. Remove the head by breaking it off. Use a punch as a lever.
4. Punch out the shank.

How do you get steel rivets out?

The best way to remove a steel rivet is by drilling out the shaft. Doing this will involve the use of cobalt drill bits designed for metal drilling. The cobalt bits allow for high heat and strength, which is needed for drilling through steel.

Can you replace rivets with screws?

The need to replace rivets with screws may arise from a mechanical failure of the rivets or from a need for access behind some riveted sheet metal. By following a basic process you can replace that rivet with a screw in a few minutes.

What is the best drill bit for rivets?

A #40 drill bit is used for 3/32″ rivets, and a #30 drill bit is used with 1/8″ rivets.