Bonnet balance link

[peters3103]

Hi gents,
I’ve removed my bonnet balance links for cad plating (now painted body colour). Will I need to fully disassemble them by removing the rivets? If so, how can I re-rivet them. I’ve never done it before

Cheers,
Pete

[lopena]

Pete:

While there are dedicated tools to set rivets, the process can easily be achieved with the simplest of hand-tools (a hammer).

The toughest bit is to find the proper-sized solid steel rivets themselves...spend some time on the internet and you’ll find the proper size eventually (you may have to buy a dozen or two).

Once you have the proper size rivets get a propane torch and heat a rivet until it is orange-hot. Slip it into the hinge, put the hinge on an anvil with the rivet head facing down and give it a few almighty whacks with a ball-peen hammer to mushroom the rivet. Apply a touch of paint and job done.

Good luck,
Alan
N.J.

[tinworm]

The difficult bit is not making it too tight !

Barrie

[lopena]

Barrie is correct...do not mushroom the tip of the rivet too much. An over-tight rivet will prevent the hinge from operating. You’re not building a bridge...no need to totally flatten the rivet.

Alan
N.J.

[lopena]

Another thread on this site specifies that the rivets should be 5/16” in diameter and should have a brass rivet on either side of the hinge.

Alan
N.J.

[bitsobrits]

I think you mean a brass washer either side.

Shop for brass shim washers, as you will want them thin, like about .010"

[peters3103]

Ok, thanks all for your input.

[abowie]

I usually don't bother when we zinc plate them.

If you do decide to disassemble them be careful not to lose the brass washers.

[peters3103]

Thanks Andrew. If it’s an option to have them plated without removing the rivets then I’ll do that.

[abowie]

Look on balance I think it's easier.

If you sandblast them well first and make sure they they are straight so that no large bits get missed they should look ok.

You may get a little rust leaking out from the rivet heads but pulling them apart and putting them back together is a pita. Just my 50c worth.

[peters3103]

Look on balance I think it's easier.

Nice pun Andrew!
And yes I agree.