Hi John
I looked at using long 1/8″ copper rivets but decided to go down the traditional route described in various books. I also found drawn bronze stays are not only stronger but machine beautifully.
The only mistake I have (nearly) made is to forget that the external stay heads have to be thin for the bottom two rows otherwise there is insufficient clearance between the frames.
I think will use brass nuts on the inside of the firebox and make sure the stay end is well silver soldered – not a task I am looking forward to but with a cyclone burner and a heat shield across the tube face I hope all will be possible.
Meanwhile 5 stays at a session ensures I don’t get tired and do something silly – like breaking a tap.
Tony