Rivet Gun on trailer lights?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by JonJon78, Aug 13, 2019.

  1. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

    6,639
    12,528
    Apr 11, 2019
    Fairbanks Ak
    0
    I have my air plumbed directly off my air tank, you get much more air than going through the glad hand that way. it runs the air down quicker, but you just have to let it build back up, I also have the larger compressor than what most fleet trucks have.
     
    BoxCarKidd Thanks this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. pavrom

    pavrom Road Train Member

    3,196
    7,327
    Apr 29, 2012
    NE illinois
    0
    Gland hand should be enough for this purpose
     
  4. JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

    7,216
    42,521
    Jul 1, 2018
    0
    Picked one of these up today... Works great.
    20190815_160211.jpg
     
  5. JonJon78

    JonJon78 Road Train Member

    7,216
    42,521
    Jul 1, 2018
    0
    Any tricks on taking the old rivets off? I took a thin chisel and hit the head with a hammer, it worked but wonder if theres a better way? That way kind of bent the casing that goes around the outside of the light... Not a huge deal but just seeing if anyone has a different way.

    I Tried drilling through the center hole and using a pair of needle nose pliers to pull the head of the rivet off but that didn't work...
     
  6. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

    8,735
    12,187
    Jul 17, 2011
    The Village, Portmeirion
    0
    A handheld is going to be fine! Go back and slap that guy!

    A rivet is a rivet.
     
  7. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

    8,735
    12,187
    Jul 17, 2011
    The Village, Portmeirion
    0
    Drill the top flange out, or a Phillips head screwdriver in a roadside pinch.
     
    JonJon78 Thanks this.
  8. starmac

    starmac Road Train Member

    6,639
    12,528
    Apr 11, 2019
    Fairbanks Ak
    0
    You can either use a 1/4 in or so bit and drill the top off and punch the rest through, or use a small bit and drill through and pull the rivet out.
    That is a nice rivet gun you picked up and will handle much bigger rivets than you need for tail lights.
     
    JonJon78 Thanks this.
  9. GeorgiaBoy_JL

    GeorgiaBoy_JL Bobtail Member

    26
    14
    Jun 18, 2016
    Douglas GA
    0
    RubyEagle Thanks this.
  10. gentran

    gentran Light Load Member

    139
    197
    Mar 29, 2011
    0
    Couldnt you use hallow wall anchors and screw the new light in. Then you wouldnt have to drill out rivets anymore. Just a thought..
     
  11. free spirited1

    free spirited1 Heavy Load Member

    981
    768
    Mar 18, 2012
    USA
    0
    I have a question on the opposite of the op ?...What's the easiest way to remove these rivets on the trailer lights, I tried a drill n the rivets are like titanium hard wouldnt touch them. I'm thinking a small metal grinding disk on the end of my battery drill (I don't have a Dremel drill) would work n grind the head off , than use like a punch to push it out?...what do you use?
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.