How do you remove / replace rivets with screws?

TK421 · May 13, 2015

Hi, I am looking to remove some parts from an Aurora case and I find this part to be riveted.

How do I remove it and replace them with standard screws?

Here are some pictures of the rivets holding the PSU area in place, it is to be trimmed to make the case accept ATX motherboards.

Thanks in advance.

Cysquatch · May 13, 2015

Everytime i have removed rivets I used a cordless drill. Start small

Lucas Lamer · May 13, 2015

Drill though the center. Once the rivet is hollowed out you can grab it with pliers and squash it, then push it out.

mathelm · May 13, 2015

Start small on the first one. Then figure which bit is the correct size, or the size of the screw you intend to replace it with. Should be a 1/8" or 3'ish mm..

With a 1/8 bit you should be able to just drill the head off of the rivet without punching all the way though. And once the heads off, you're good to go..

TK421 · May 14, 2015

I found this guide on OCN

http://www.overclock.net/t/337343/how-to-rivets-removing-and-replacing

After removing the rivets, screws that are slightly larger in diameter (or similar) to the hole should easily fit without anymore drilling?

Also, does anyone have guide to cleanly use a dremel to cut metal parts?

mathelm · May 14, 2015

Nice find. Just be careful as there are many ways to cut/drill yourself with all that bare metal. That bit will tend to jump once the rivet head pops off. Many stitches have been needed for working on PC cases...

asuindasun · May 14, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathelm

Nice find. Just be careful as there are many ways to cut/drill yourself with all that bare metal. That bit will tend to jump once the rivet head pops off. Many stitches have been needed for working on PC cases...

Indeed, first time a dremel jump on a bad cut of my old antec 900 i ended up with 6

TK421 · May 14, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathelm

Nice find. Just be careful as there are many ways to cut/drill yourself with all that bare metal. That bit will tend to jump once the rivet head pops off. Many stitches have been needed for working on PC cases...

Quote:

Originally Posted by asuindasun

Indeed, first time a dremel jump on a bad cut of my old antec 900 i ended up with 6

What do you mean "jump"?

mathelm · May 14, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK421

What do you mean "jump"?

The head of the rivet will spin and break lose sometimes before drilling through. And while you're pressing the drill with one hand, and the other hand is holding the case close to the rivet. Pushing against the drill. When the head breaks, the drill bit slides and you will drill your other hand if you're not careful.

You just need to always be thinking what if while drilling it. In other words, whats the bit aiming at should it slide off or poke through quicker than you thought....

Plus the those case metal edges are painfully sharp....

TK421 · May 14, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathelm

The head of the rivet will spin and break lose sometimes before drilling through. And while you're pressing the drill with one hand, and the other hand is holding the case close to the rivet. Pushing against the drill. When the head breaks, the drill bit slides and you will drill your other hand if you're not careful.

You just need to always be thinking what if while drilling it. In other words, whats the bit aiming at should it slide off or poke through quicker than you thought....

Plus the those case metal edges are painfully sharp....

Ah that, thanks for the info.

How about using the dremel? What should I look out for?

mathelm · May 14, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK421

Ah that, thanks for the info.

How about using the dremel? What should I look out for?

I can't remember ever damaging my person with a dremel. Unless you use it with a bit I guess..

But still, watch your digits...

TK421 · May 14, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathelm

I can't remember ever damaging my person with a dremel. Unless you use it with a bit I guess..

But still, watch your digits...

What do you mean by bit?

Also, can I get a recommendation on what kind of tip/dremel should I buy from home depot?

mathelm · May 14, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK421

What do you mean by bit?

Also, can I get a recommendation on what kind of tip/dremel should I buy from home depot?

Drill "bit"...

They have a $59 3000 Series that looks nice. Variable Speed is the most important thing. And whatever you do, don't buy a battery powered model. Tool will way out last the batt, and you spend all your time waiting on it to recharge...

I wouldn't buy the dremel tool there, but if you've got a Harbor Freight near by, it's a great place for replacement bits and disc....

TK421 · May 14, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathelm

Drill "bit"...

They have a $59 3000 Series that looks nice. Variable Speed is the most important thing. And whatever you do, don't buy a battery powered model. Tool will way out last the batt, and you spend all your time waiting on it to recharge...

I wouldn't buy the dremel tool there, but if you've got a Harbor Freight near by, it's a great place for replacement bits and disc....

Does harbor freight ship within NY? I don't wanna go to brooklyn just to buy a dremel...

Edit: what model of dremel do you suggest to buy in harbor freight? Same as in home depot?

mathelm · May 14, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK421

Does harbor freight ship within NY? I don't wanna go to brooklyn just to buy a dremel...

Edit: what model of dremel do you suggest to buy in harbor freight? Same as in home depot?

I'm sure they do. But I don't know if the savings would be worth the extra shipping cost.

Don't buy a dremel at Harbor Freight. About the only power tool I'd buy there is a grinder. Your best bet is that 3000 series at home depot. It should give you good service and last a good long time. But just don't get a battery powered one....

Lucas Lamer · May 14, 2015

You don't really need a dremel for removing rivets. I've done lots of them with nothing but a drill, a pair of pliers, and a screwdriver. Factory rivets are very easy to crush when they're hollowed out by a drill. It only takes two squeezes of the pliers to crush the rivet, then you push it out with a screwdriver or pluck it out from the backside. Sometimes the rivet just falls out on its own.

Lady Fitzgerald · May 14, 2015

I just use a drill with a bit that has the same or slightly larger diameter as the rivet body and drill the head until it breaks free; there is no need to completely hollow out the rivet. If the rivet doesn't fall out by itself at that point, a small punch, or even a nail, will easily remove it.

I usually just replace rivets I've removed unless it's something I may need to remove frequently in the future.

TK421 · May 14, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucas Lamer

You don't really need a dremel for removing rivets. I've done lots of them with nothing but a drill, a pair of pliers, and a screwdriver. Factory rivets are very easy to crush when they're hollowed out by a drill. It only takes two squeezes of the pliers to crush the rivet, then you push it out with a screwdriver or pluck it out from the backside. Sometimes the rivet just falls out on its own.

I need a dremel to trim the PSU tray so a motherboard can fit.

TK421 · May 15, 2015

I bought a dremel today and skipped the drill because there were drill bits for the dremel itself.

Will try to remove 1 rivet tomorrow and see how it goes.

asuindasun · May 16, 2015

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathelm

The head of the rivet will spin and break lose sometimes before drilling through. And while you're pressing the drill with one hand, and the other hand is holding the case close to the rivet. Pushing against the drill. When the head breaks, the drill bit slides and you will drill your other hand if you're not careful.

You just need to always be thinking what if while drilling it. In other words, whats the bit aiming at should it slide off or poke through quicker than you thought....

Plus the those case metal edges are painfully sharp....

Yup, pretty spot-on for what happened to me. Wasn't paying attention at one point (looking away/yelling at dog, who knows) and popped the head off then got myself.

How do you remove / replace rivets with screws?

TK421

Cysquatch

Lucas Lamer

mathelm

TK421

mathelm

asuindasun

TK421

mathelm

TK421

mathelm

TK421

mathelm

TK421

mathelm

Lucas Lamer

Lady Fitzgerald

TK421

TK421

asuindasun

Top Contributors this Month

Recommended Communities