On 01/24/2015 04:43 PM, Jay West wrote:
So long story short, I wasn't going to take that
gorgeous smooth polished
surface and replace it with bolts or screws. But for something that was
pop-rivets, you betcha, I'd have gone that route.
I understand, I guess--but who's going to see it? ;)
You can get flush aluminum standard rivets--they're not terribly hard to
set. I've also got a few underlug flush-head screws (no slot), which,
if you can get some, should preserve the exterior appearance.
FWIW, if you're looking at drilling the buggers start with a good center
punch and a very small bit--and then drill that with a bit slightly
smaller than the rivet shank only down as far as the head depth. Then
you'll be able to insert a rot of the same size and smartly snap the
head off without affecting the original hole.
Musical instrument repair shops also have special tools for working
dents and wrinkles out of brass. They range from a "dent machine" that
looks like an English wheel, with the wheel turned 90 degrees. Small
portable dent rollers, such as a "Fast Eddie" are also used.
Good luck!
Chuck