I have just got my GTS chassis and need to decide on my choice of rivet. Ideally I want a general purpose size that fits all uses so I do not have to buy loads of sizes.

For the floorpan I am thinking 4.8mm Aluminium Sealed. What length should I be buying? is 11mm ok?

Would the above be ok for all the other panels or should I look at countersun/flat for panels on display?

Although i welded my floor in, i used 3.2mm x 10mm rivets everywhere else

Assuming you are using an ally floor, use 5mm rivets with an extra large head (CBS do these). 3mm will be fine for most other panels. Either way, just make sure that you bond the panels with PU adhesive and you will have a rattle free and strong chassis assembly.

Personally - we used 5mm large head for floor. We use 4mm standard for 'most' other things and 3mm for a few things.

If I was you I would go for 200 large 5mm
100 x 4mm standard
50 3mm standard

Agree entirely with hellfire on the sizes, these are what I used (including the floor ones, although mine were not etra large head ones for the floor.

All the rivets really should be closed end (sealed) ones.

Would say the numbers that hellfire mentioned would be very much on the low side though!

I used 200 ish 5mm ones for the floor, but have used another 500 4mm ones so far on bodywork etc (though mine is ally sides and rear panel etc, grp would use less I suppose)

Hi Thanks for that,

Looks like 5mm, sealed, Ali then for the floor

What spacing should I use on the floor for 5mm rivets, I was thinking every 30mm. I intend to PU adhesive it as well ?

Where do you get hold of 5mm sealed ? Fastfix only do up to 4.8mm sealed.

Also what length do I go for ?

This has been discussed many times before. If you do a quick search you should find several threads and a lot of conflicting advice

Personally I would say 30mm spacing would be fine, mine are probably nearer 40mm (with PU too)

I think we are talking the same thing sizewise, 5mm = 4.8mm, both derived from imperial so really you are asking for 3/16" rivets (pretty sure this is what I used)

Just for a bit of clarification, rivets are actually 1/8", 5/32" or 3/16" (in sizes typically used on a "locost" and these are now referred to as 3.2mm, 4mm and 4.8 (or 5mm) in modern lingo.

I used 1/8" structural Cherry Q blind rivets for the floor and rear panel. They are certainly not the cheapest choice. I read in an aircraft document that rivets need to be spaced on 8Xs the rivet diameter, so I spaced my rivets slightly under 1" spacing. As for the grip length, I used this page as a guide.

Ideally, I think the Cherry Max product line is the best choice, but those are rather expensive.

--HTH, Chris

50mm was about right for me - some guys like to space them even further apart but I found that it stops the panels 'puckering' between rivets. If you are using PU adhesive it is largely academic anyway as the PU will probably be stronger than the rivets - if you have tried to remove a PU'd panel you will know what I mean.

I also feel that it is a fine line between having enough rivets or drilling too many holes and therefore weakening the chassis.

Our floor spacing was approximately 50mm - PU'd and agree that the PU is prolly stronger than the combined strength of the rivets

Job done!

I've used 3.2 x 10 on everything on my car including the floor and 3000 miles later, all is still well (and I have much smaller holes in my chassis).
Pat...

I've used 4x10mm sealed on everything, although i welded the floor in. Between riveting in tranny tunnel, dropping them on the floor, and the ali side panels etc, I've used over 700, but i suspect i've dropped a shedload.

I guess it comes down to how much of a gap you leave, i did 1" on the tunnel and seat back panel, and 2-4" everywhere else.

HTH

D

For the tran tunnel and seat back did anyone use countersunk rivets or just normal domed?

I am now thinking of using 4mm alu sealed on all fixings with PU adhesive to the floor.

I just need to know if it looks better to use countersunk on the visible rivets.

Many thanks.

If you want to use countersunk you will need some fairly thick ally sheet - probably not worth it.

I used countersunks on the outer edges of the floor to allow the Avon GRP tub edges to wrap around easily but my floor panels are 2.6mm thick. In all other places i used 3.2mm structural rivets and 4.8mm where a little extra strength was needed.



rivetc closeup

[Edited on 9/5/05 by DaveFJ]

Got a quote for rivets see below, just a quick question, firstly is this price ok and secondly what is the 'grip' length. If this is the thickness of material it can rivet then is this length ok ?

4.8 x 11 sealed aluminium rivets - grip 4.5 - 6mm Qty 500
Prices per 1000
Aluminium Body / Steel Mandrel £14.19
Aluminiumj Body/ Stainless Mandrel £44.00
All stainless steel £53.57

ask that expert from kit car crisis programme.....seems to know it all

paid £40 per 100 for mine....