Installilng Mast Step casting questions

Hey guys,

I ordered rivet caps just in case, but now I need to know - do I need to use rivet caps when installing the mast step casting?

I'll probably have more questions as the procedure moves along. (and I am using Matt's article from Hobie Class news as a guide).

Lou

The front crossbar is not water tight, so you don't need them for that. They can come in handy if the rivet hole is slightly oversized.

Alright, so I drilled out the rivets on the old, and loosened up the nuts on the dolphin striker rod (both sides), but the dolphin striker seems to be seized (not budging at all). This is probably the galvonic action I keep reading about, right?

I've taken a hammer and piece of wood to it, but it still isn't breaking loose, and I'm afraid to break something, is there something I can spray to break up the corrosion or do I need to just get a bigger hammer?

Okay - so I was thinking. Maybe I didn't drill the rivets all the way out. I just drilled the heads out with a 1/4" bit, but I didn't drill any farther than that. Do I need to keep going with the drill (I tried punching them out with a screwdriver but the screwdriver won't even fit in the hole.)

Alright - rivets are punched through but it still won't budge. Back to original question, bigger hammer or corrosion buster?

Bigger hammer worked!

Alright, I'm almost done.

I'm having problems installing the rivets. This is my first time with rivets, but I've watched videos and it seems simple enough.

While installing the rivet, it goes for a little while, then it just seems to stop pulling and there's no tension on my handle squeezes. Any clue why?

Your rivet gun is not holding the pin so when you open the handle the pin moves up and down, not just up. It could be worse, the pin can drop out once you start the first pull. Either hold the gun at a cocked angle as you release pressure or hold the pin with a really thin screw driver, or get a better rivet gun.

Just curious, but are you using one of these:

http://www.harborfreight.com/heavy-duty ... 66422.html

If not, I HIGHLY recommend you get one.

_________________
'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'

I was not using one of those, but I guess I'll order it since I ended up breaking my father in law's.

The two front rivets I got in pretty good. The two aft ones we ended up drilling through the crossbar and using a nut and bolt. I know it's not the instructed way, but it seems to do the trick. We shall see.

You won't regret it. It's very solid and can handle any rivet job on your boat.

Order two and be your father-in-law's hero (for a day anyway ).

_________________
'81 H16

If it ain't a blowin', I ain't a goin'