New Bare Ramps and Rivet installation

[Black Matrix]

Hello all,
I have a Freddy that needs the plastic ramp replaced on the playfiield. I have the Ramp, and I have the Rivets, but I'm worried about breaking the ramp before I get the rivets flattened enough to be tight.

So I thought I would ask the sages of the groups to see how you guys install your new ramps and how you get the rivets tight without breaking the plastics. I'm interested in knowing what tools are out there, how to hints, and even youtube vids showing how. Maybe my google voodoo is on the fritz but I just couldn't find much with the exception of this tool from marco.

http://www.marcospecialties.com/pinball-parts/77-6663

And honestly, I don't see how this would be much help. Looks like I could make this out of a piece of 1/2" steel with a decent drillbit to make the indentions. Maybe your supposed to lock it down in a vice and hammer the rivet from the back. So any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[timberterror]

I had several targets to rivet and the skip ramp on a RFM. Luckily a fellow local collector had the proper rivets and the rivet press. He bought his on ebay for $100 or so and it worked great. It looked something like this....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/STX-360-RIV...695071?pt=Model_RR_Trains&hash=item20d1da40df

There are cheaper alternatives. Someone was selling a modifies c-clamp to do it but I can't remember who. I wouldn't use anything that may involve impacting the rivet, just pressing. - Barry

 

[dasvis]

I used a hammer, ball bearing & a block of hardwood to install a stand up target face. Worked great..... just takes a gentle touch.


- Though a ramp is a different story..

 

[Mitsurugi-w]

I replaced the ramp in my High Speed and, honestly, I just used a cheap rivet gun and rivets from Lowes. Then I used my dremel to cut the rivet down. Worked just fine for me.

 

[joeycuda]

I think you might could modify a Harbor Freight arbor press to work.

 

[Black Matrix]

Thanks for all the suggestions. It appears that an arbor press is the proper tool for the job. I was thinking of getting one, but I went with another method.

I took a pointed punch and mounted in a mid size drill press. with a piece of metal under the head of the rivet I had someone lower the drill head/punch to help get the rivet started while I held the ramp in place over the metal. Then, we used a a punch to take it down a little more and a small ball pein hammer to finish gently rounding it out. Its not as nice as factory, but its very good, and you would't notice anything unless you looked at the bottom of the ramp bracket.

Thanks for all the comments and I may have to buy an arbor press if and when I run across one that's fairly affordable. And harbor freight sells them for 40.00 If I can't find a used one cheaper.

 

[jgreene]

You can buy the same style rivets as originally used along with a 'hand clincher' for $50 or less. Great tool to have if you plan on restoring more than one machine.

I found a great site that covers this topic: http://home.earthlink.net/~billg4me/pinball/rivet/

I ended up buying a few hundred different rivets, washers and a 'hand clincher' from Hanson Rivet. The rivets are actually VERY easy to set with the hand held punch using light taps from a hammer. Based on my experience so far I don't think a press style is a must for ramps, plastic targets etc.

 

[dasvis]

You can buy the same style rivets as originally used along with a 'hand clincher' for $50 or less. Great tool to have if you plan on restoring more than one machine.

I found a great site that covers this topic: http://home.earthlink.net/~billg4me/pinball/rivet/

I ended up buying a few hundred different rivets, washers and a 'hand clincher' from Hanson Rivet. The rivets are actually VERY easy to set with the hand held punch using light taps from a hammer. Based on my experience so far I don't think a press style is a must for ramps, plastic targets etc.

Great idea on the rivet press, we have some scrap large mild steel "U" channel at work that would be perfect for a similar press. Drill a hole thru the top of the "U", then weld two nuts to the outside. Will post photos once I have mine completed.