Rivets or screws?

[riverplace]

I need to replace the stove vent, tail lights and bathroom vent on my 17B. They are all installed with rivets. Can I drill out rivets and use SS screws? If not, what size and length rivets should I use?
Thank you!

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by riverplace

They are all installed with rivets. Can I drill out rivets and use SS screws?

It appears that there is no problem with the rivets, just with the vents, so why replace rivets with screws?

Can't help with size though.

[Ron in BC]

Gotta disagree with you Glenn. I'd much rather replace rivets with s/s screws, nice controlled tightening and if future work is needed, no drilling out rivets.

If I was using rivets I'd use 1/8" shank. 3/16" is overkill for those sorts of items.

Length is a bit of a question mark. In some places the f.g. is thin and there's not other material that the rivet would go through short rivets would be more than adequate. In another area, if there's backing material, a longer rivet might be required. Easier to have an assortment of lengths on hand.

Ron

[CoolCampingKid]

Always stainless steel. The newer Escapes use screws in those locations as well.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

Length is a bit of a question mark. In some places the f.g. is thin and there's not other material that the rivet would go through short rivets would be more than adequate. In another area, if there's backing material, a longer rivet might be required. Easier to have an assortment of lengths on hand.

Ron

Isn't that the problem with screws? You need some sort of backing, or you're screwing into air.

[Ron in BC]

No doubt there's a bottom limit to thickness that's suitable for screws without them stripping but I haven't found that to be a problem. And super thin f.g. wouldn't be all that good for a rivet either. It could pull through without a backing washer and that's not always possible to use.

Ron

[cpaharley2008]

A conundrum for sure....

[dfandrews]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

A conundrum for sure....

Do you place the conundrum under the head of the rivet or screw, or use as backing on the hidden side?

[Jim Bennett]

For most situation fastening on my trailer I prefer using rivets, especially on exterior shell additions. Screws work too, just are more prone to loosening in many cases.

[Chotch]

Originally Posted by dfandrews

Do you place the conundrum under the head of the rivet or screw, or use as backing on the hidden side?

[cpaharley2008]

Now you have created a conundrum for the conundrum....!