Basstracker TX17 Recarpet Issue

[britcom61]

I am in the proicess of reinstalling all the aluminum parts I had to drill out to replace the carpet on the boat. The problem seems to be that 3/16 aluminum rivets seem to be falling loose as I try and re-install them. Has anyone else had this problem? Do I need to locate a 1/4" rivet supplier to take care of this?
Lowes seems to carryt 3/16" pop-rivets as their largest size.
With the new carpet, its tough to push a LONG 3/16" RIVET all the way through, when I tighten them, they are not grabbing and I am getting nowhere fast.
Anyideas would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

 

[bassfann1]

What size bit did you use ? I had this happen once before and now I only use one big enough to drill the center out. They will then pop right out. I had to go to a bigger rivet as well.

 

[scsdiver]

the ones i removed from ours and reinstalled i used a 3/16" drill bit to remove them and i used 3/16" rivets to replace however there is a odd size rivet if it was a solid rivet that seem to no be 1/4" but deff bigger than 3/16" so not sure exactly the ones your are reffering. when we removed the seating area in the rear we had to use 1/4" rivets to replace there and one other place that is slipping my mind right this second. i ordered my 1/4" sealed rivets from Mcmaster Carr online. they were fast and cheap. i think my box of 50 was under 10 dollars. 50 was the smallest quantity they had. not sure if you have 1/4" rivet gun but i did not and i found a nice one at harbor freight for 18.99 that included some rivets and the gun is kind of like a pair of bolt cutters. it works very well and it catches the pins when they break off.