Mixed Freight posted:Mike D posted:It is actually easier to drill the rivet out than to grind the rivet head off and far less likely to do damage to the assembly. The dimple in the center of the flared end will keep the bit centered as long as you don't get crazy applying pressure while drilling. As mentioned above, it is easy just to crush the flared end and push it through.
I use a center punch and a hammer to flare the end on the new rivet. You just need to flare it enough to keep it in place. The spring is the really fun part! Buy extras.
Who carries the springs? I've thought about rolling my own, but haven't been able to (easily) find a source for small enough piano wire.
Come to think of it though, I wonder if some old used guitar strings wouldn't work?
You can find them readily in various quantities on eBay. You can find them with the rivets and even with the knuckles if you want extras of all. I keep several of each on hand all the time. I replace all of the cheap plastic knuckles with built in plastic springs with metal knuckles and separate springs when they break.
