yachtorion
Well-Known Member
I had a go at experimenting with pop rivets to hold the windows on today... and it was a great success!
I've always felt that pop rivets have no place on a boat, the locked lid hinges etc are held on with them on my Horizon and they are failing badly. But I selected the rivets very carefully for this job - all aluminium (no galvanic action between mandrel and rivet) with closed end (neat back and leakproof). The result is great. They are really easy to fit. They compressed the butyl tape really well. I drilled a couple out as a test and it was easier than undoing a nut and there was no collateral damage. Best of all on the reverse side what you are left with is just a small, neat, metal bump like a tiny, shiny dome and with no sharp edges. Actually looks kinda decorative - almost a shame it will be covered with the foam.
In fact I might try putting them in the other way around so that the little lump is on the outside and the flush head on the in for my next experiment (this window isn't staying - it's damaged plastic there for experimentation and to keep the snow out).
If anyone is thinking of using Rivets on Hunter window instead of self tappers - I recommend it!
I used http://www.rivetwise.co.uk/productrange/rivetdetails.asp?partNo=AD68AH
I've always felt that pop rivets have no place on a boat, the locked lid hinges etc are held on with them on my Horizon and they are failing badly. But I selected the rivets very carefully for this job - all aluminium (no galvanic action between mandrel and rivet) with closed end (neat back and leakproof). The result is great. They are really easy to fit. They compressed the butyl tape really well. I drilled a couple out as a test and it was easier than undoing a nut and there was no collateral damage. Best of all on the reverse side what you are left with is just a small, neat, metal bump like a tiny, shiny dome and with no sharp edges. Actually looks kinda decorative - almost a shame it will be covered with the foam.
In fact I might try putting them in the other way around so that the little lump is on the outside and the flush head on the in for my next experiment (this window isn't staying - it's damaged plastic there for experimentation and to keep the snow out).
If anyone is thinking of using Rivets on Hunter window instead of self tappers - I recommend it!
I used http://www.rivetwise.co.uk/productrange/rivetdetails.asp?partNo=AD68AH
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