Countersinking rivets

[michael birdParticipant @michaelbird72946]

Hello All,

 

I am fixing strakes (16 gauge) with 3/32″ steel rivets, round head on the inside and countersunk into the strakes, on traction engine wheels.

 

Can someone please tell me (a) what size I should make the major diameter when countersinking the strakes (90deg)?

 

(b) How much rivet should I leave to fill this countersink to form a nice hamered finish. not filed flat?

 

The rivets I have are black – should these be put in pickle of some kind before I use them?.

 

It seems sensible to paint the wheel side of the strakes to prevent rusting, so what should I use for this?

 

Cheers,

Ray

[michael birdParticipant @michaelbird72946]

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

You don’t need a masive countersink for strakes particularly if you have alloy rims. I would say no more than 5/32″ across.

 

Something like one times the diameter should fill a CSk that size but do a couple of tests, Its quite common on models particularly the smaller ones to file the rivits off flush as they will never wear down like the full size did.

 

Paint the outside of the rim and strakes in grey primer and let it wear of the face of the strakes.

 

Not much of an issue them being black, they will soon shine as you pein them over and a fine wire brush on the heads once fitted will get them bright.

 

Jason

[michael birdParticipant @michaelbird72946]

Hi Jason,

 

 Re Countersinking: thanks so much for your speedy and again, most informative answers – appreciated !  Just one point – when painting alloy rims, do you use a etch primer ?

 

Regards

 

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Yes, spray the whole assembled wheel with etch, I use the one from Phoenix Precision.

 

Also when you come to do the spokes use copper rivits as steel takes too much force to form a head and will likely distort the tee ring around the rivit hole.

 

Thinking about rivit projection 1/16″ will do as a starting point but do a test.

 

Jason

[michael birdParticipant @michaelbird72946]

Hi Jason,

 

thank you for the advice about copper rivets – do I use these as supplied, or do I anneal them first ?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Should be fine as supplied.

 

Jason

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