Rivets for 30yr old aluminum mast: Monel Cherry structural Rivets

[PUDDLE JUMPER II]

Two quick questions... For those of you with experience rigging and riveting...

1) There are 30+ types of Cherry Aerospace structural rivets out there-- which leaves the least RISK on the inside of the mast from snagging running rigging?

2) How do I determine the correct size of Rivet needed for reinstalling hardware back on the mast? Is the equation= mast material thickness + hardware thickness + 1/16" for deviation?

Yes--I have a HF hydraulic rivet gun...

Yes, I plan on practicing on old masts in the boat yard before actually plunging into my beautiful masts and booms...

Thank you in advance for your note and advice...

[PUDDLE JUMPER II]

One of many sample charts...

[PUDDLE JUMPER II]

CherryMax has a gauge to tell you which rivet to use for each Grip (depth of application) situation.

In case anyone was interested...

[neilpride]

Hi Puddle, usually once the rivet is tightened a ball is formed at its end, probably your point Nº2 its ok.

[PUDDLE JUMPER II]

Originally Posted by neilpride

Hi Puddle, usually once the rivet is tightened a ball is formed at its end, probably your point Nº2 its ok.

Understood... I guess as a newbie to sailing and mast refitting-- I was hoping and looking to someone who knows what the Golden Standard is for exact structural rivet model which is able to endure the harsh environmental conditions our masts / boats are continually subjected to...

Cherry Monel Rivets-- Check

I am still researching which structural rivet leaves the lowest profile INSIDE the mast so my halyards do not SNAG on sharp blind rivets.

[Jammer]

I will not claim to be an expert but I have used ordinary home-center aluminum rivets to attach hardware to aluminum spars. I have not had a problem with halyards snagging. I like to use rivnuts for hardware that is likely to require removal and reinstallation. I use aluminum rivnuts and generally use aluminum bolts to minimize corrosion.

[Baby tug]

Here goes the rivet in the mask thing I vote for welding

[tkeithlu]

Snagging should only be a problem if you use a rivet that is longer than the task requires. Then instead of the little ball that is bigger than the hole, you get a tube like a worm casting sticking out into the mast, with the ball at the bottom. Use the gauge and it won't be a problem.

I'm sure that there are places in a boat where you can use ordinary aluminum rivets - I use them to construct shelves and boxes - but I can't recommend that you go there when working on your mast.