Mast Rivets for Spinnaker Ring Track
Submitted by James Titus on Fri, 05/01/2015 - 14:31
Being "new" to the spinnaker, of course I ripped the track off my mast. Never one to give up, I need to put in on again. I see in the "store" Harry has various rivets. My boat is 3430 (1978) with an 1/8" long by 7/8" wide by 3/16" tall T track. The rivets need to be countersunk type, except the top and bottom which are round, to keep the ring on the mast.
I am guessing that my existing rivets are 3/16" solid aluminum.
How long should the rivets be?
I wonder which ones at the store are the right ones?
05123 looks right, but how long does the rivet need to be?
Is it better to hammer them in, or use a pop rivet tool?
Any tips for drilling out the old rivets?
Any help is appreciated for sure.
sawyerspadre
Tue, 05/12/2015 - 13:30
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Rivets
You put them in with a hammer.
I would ask Harry or Dee exactly which you need.
I did the same thing, and put the track back on, but it's been years. Mine only tore off the bottom rivets and bent the track.
You use a drill to remove, that is the diameter of rivet or slightly smaller. If you drill into the center of rivet the rivet will collapse into the hole, and drop into the mast. I think I also used a larger drill to just cut the head of the rivet, so it could drop through. Go slowly, to avoid cutting into the track.