Rivet Buster

[Brent]

I promise it's Cub related. I just bought what looks like a vintage rivit buster, that works thay say, on ebay for $27.50. It's used to remove and relplace the rivets on a sickle mower without taking the blad rail out. I need to replace several blades on my Cub-22 mower. Did I get the sh_ f _ or does that sound like a fair price? It was one of those impulse things!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Don't know about the value, but I tried to get Dad to buy one 40 years ago when I was still at home, but he preferred pulling the 7 foot sckles out of our old IH mowers so you could inspect them better and check for loose sections. He also stated that the rivet setters that came with them didn't swell the rivets enough in the holes, and the sections would come loose a lot quicker.

[Larry in IN]

Brent,
Is the rivet buster the kind that drives the rivet out by turning a threaded point down against the rivet?
My experience is that they will work, but I find it easier to remove the knife from the bar, lay it snugly but free in a vise, and hit the back of the section you want off with a heavy hammer. That should shear the rivets off flush in the barback and then they can be easily seen and punched out
I would [and do] seriously consider the use of the new-fangeled bolts to secure the sections. they are easier to remove with out taking the sickle out of the bar. you will only need to remove a guard or so at each location where you need to replace a section.
Watch the sharp edges!
Good luck.

[Brent]

Larry,

Yes it has a threaded pointed bolt on one end and a threaded bolt with a flat head on the other end to flatten the rivet end. I'll try it and if it doesn't work I'll hang it on the barn wall with my other old tools and try your method.

Thanks

[Rudi]

Hey guys:

Under Blue Ribbon Service Manuals you will find the GSS-1053 Mower Cutter Bars - All Models. That shows quite nicely how to replace them thar rivets!

The HTML file is there, so it will be easier to scan.

I have been kind of quiet the last few days. Got a bunch of stuff that needs to be uploaded, and still have a few more things in the BRSM section that needs to be done before I can do the uploads.

There will be some interesting stuff under the Maintenance Tips and Techniques after the upload.

Keep tuned!

[Larry in IN]

Brent,
If you do use the tool to 'squeeze' the rivet to set it, go ahead and put it on an anvil or some such and slow it with a heavy cudgel - that'll help swell the rivet tightly in the hole.
I have actually purchased some tool widgets that don't look particularly useful just to add to the collection that may be a museum of useless ideas some day.

[Ron L]

and slow it with a heavy cudgel

Is that sheet metal jargon, or what? (how heavy a cudgel?)

Just looked it up in the dictionary.... Great word. I'll have to remember it!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

My Dad woulsd have said "Use as big a hammer as you can comfortably swing with one hand, and hit it like you mean it". In addition to heading the rivet, that swells it in the hole so there is less of a tendency for it to loosen and wear through.

[Brent]

Thanks Gents for all the good advise. I'll use it.

[parts man]

and slow it with a heavy cudgel

Is that sheet metal jargon, or what? (how heavy a cudgel?)

Just looked it up in the dictionary.... Great word. I'll have to remember it!

Funny how in different areas the same word means different things. In our family a cudgel, is a heavy walking stick. My cousin still has the cudgel that my great-great-great grandfather used to kill a bear!! Ain't adrenaline a wonderful thing!!!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

My cousin still has the cudgel that my great-great-great grandfather used to kill a bear!! Ain't adrenaline a wonderful thing!!!

I'll bet that was one man that didn't get many people talking back to him

[parts man]

John, I suspect that most folks called him "sir"!

Like I said adrenaline is an amazing thing!! I don't know how big the bear was, but I do know that I wouldn't like to take on ANY size bear, no matter how big a stick I had!!!!