Riveting Basics

HOW TO MAKE A RIVET

Mark holes with Sharpie.

Place piece on surface plate and position center punch on a

mark.

Tap center punch very lightly with a leather mallet.

Choose a drill bit and wire according to the equivalency chart.

Measure the wire with a B&S Gauge, by laying the wire in the slot, not the holes.

Prepare for drilling by wearing safety glasses and tying hair back, when necessary.

Turn on the drill press and put beeswax on the drill bit.

Drill slowly, so as not to break the fragile bit. Hold the metal tightly with

your left hand.

After drilling, remove burs by taking a bigger bit, sticking it in the hole and

twisting it with your fingers.

After drilling all holes in the top piece, mark one hole in the bottom piece. Using a sharp scriber, scratch a mark through the

top piece into the bottom piece.

If a Sharpie fits through the hole, the bottom piece could be marked that

way. Mark one hole only.

Center punch that mark.

Drill that one hole in the bottom piece.

Take a bigger drill bit, put it in the back side of the hole, and twist to remove the bur.

File one end of the rivet wire flat, with a hand file.

Place the wire through both pieces and cut with flush cutters. The wire should protrude

approximately 1mm or less on both sides.

File the second end of the wire flat with a hand file. Don’t scratch your piece.

If the rivet falls out, use the parallel jaw pliers to hold it and put it back in place.

Poke a hole in a piece of masking tape.

Place the tape over the rivet to protect the project from being damaged.

Place the cardboard “spacer” under the metal. Make sure the rivet it in the “hole” of

the spacer. Tap lightly with the flat end of the riveting hammer.

Flip the piece over. Without using the spacer, tap the rivet with the flat end of the

riveting hammer.

Voila! You’re finished.