rinemb - Posted - 03/15/2026:  05:52:49

I need to drill out 6 holes in my steel rims to add hubcap clips. Traditionally the clips are riveted on with round head rivets. I have a pop rivet kit, but don’t really like the look…though they will be hidden under the dog dish hubcaps. I see a lot of other rivet tools that I don’t understand, nor do I know how they were able to rivet a tire rim?

Anyway, if you have suggestions for rivet tools or how to put a tradition rivet on a rim please comment.

Thank you, Brad

Edited by - rinemb on 03/28/2026 15:34:37

martyjoe - Posted - 03/15/2026:  06:56:11

I would be concerned about rattles developing over time. After all a banjo vibrates for a living.

rinemb - Posted - 03/15/2026:  07:53:11

quote:

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Originally posted by martyjoe

I would be concerned about rattles developing over time. After all a banjo vibrates for a living.

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If that was the only thing that rattled on my 1952 Chevy truck, I would be a happy trucker. ;-). Brad

Tractor1 - Posted - 03/15/2026:  07:55:01

sickle bar mowers had all their sections fastened with rivets --I pushed them thru --then put a sledge head or similar under the head side then I used a ball peen to mushroom the other side--the industry finally came up with bolts and lock nuts --which I use now

RB3 - Posted - 03/15/2026:  08:04:07

If the clips are hidden by the hub caps, why not use a screw and a nut with a nylon insert, instead of a rivet. Button-head, hex socket cap screws don't look bad.

martyjoe - Posted - 03/15/2026:  08:06:51

Sorry I thought you were cobbling up some work On steel banjo rim……. Derrrr!

Owen - Posted - 03/15/2026:  08:10:30

Probably non-traditional, but ....................................... ??

Nopix - Posted - 03/15/2026:  08:31:17

Maybe not a stick welder, but a wire welder. Plenty expensive gadget for three or four tiny welds.

Are you or have you actually drilled through the rim yet? I thought those were acceptionally hard.

rinemb - Posted - 03/15/2026:  08:42:39

quote:

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Originally posted by Nopix

Maybe not a stick welder, but a wire welder. Plenty expensive gadget for three or four tiny welds.



Are you or have you actually drilled through the rim yet? I thought those were acceptionally hard.

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I am sure they are hard.  I never tried to drill a rim.  I have seen clips that were welded on though.  Brad

Nopix - Posted - 03/15/2026:  08:59:45

I would only try to drill it with a small bit I wouldn't mind to loose.
I'm sure factories spot-weld the clips on.
A body shop would probably have a small wire welder, for welding sheet metal.
Four small spots (plug welds) wouldn't take the temper out of the entire rim.

Owen - Posted - 03/15/2026:  15:36:07

This site https:   //google.com/search?q=how...p;ie=UTF-8 

says, among other things that, "...they are not "hard" in the way tool steel or hardened steel is—they are relatively soft, which allows them to bend rather than snap."

[Steve, as it's Brad's money, I have no qualms about making suggestions.... heck if he doesn't already have a welder, he probably should.   ]

Edited by - Owen on 03/15/2026 15:51:22

Nopix - Posted - 03/15/2026:  15:43:40

Could be.
The last rim I played with was chrome plated.
Takes but a minute to come at it with a drill.

rinemb - Posted - 03/15/2026:  17:33:07

I have considered little wire feed welders, but never made the effort to learn any kind of welding. Mt brother does have a welder, and he does small things for me, and won’t let me pay him. With the prior very small welders thing I told home next job I will insist on paying him. He is a super guy and will do any thing for me bro. Brad

1935tb-11 - Posted - 03/18/2026:  08:47:12

huck rivet would hold pretty good .. harbor freight has a 1/4 inch huck gun for 70 dollars and i am sure they may have the hck rivets too.

Edited by - 1935tb-11 on 03/18/2026 08:50:33

rinemb - Posted - 03/18/2026:  09:25:16

quote:

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Originally posted by 1935tb-11

huck rivet would hold pretty good .. harbor freight has a 1/4 inch huck gun for 70 dollars and i am sure they may have the hck rivets too.

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huck rivet, eh....well on to google I go to figure out what that is.  It could be the trick...if I can make the holes?  Thanks, Brad

rinemb - Posted - 03/28/2026:  14:42:48

My hubcap clips project is done. I ended up drilling the 3/16” holes with no problem or special bits. Itty bitty hole then then drilled out to size. I wish my 3/16” rivets fit my 3/16” holes. My old bit perhaps worn to under size diameter? So I had to do a bit of wallering out of the holes. Anyway to rig up a system to flatten out the back of the aluminum rivets was a pain. Repainted the rims and new clips and put them back on the truck. I grabbed a beer, sat down on the patio and ordered my new dog dishes. Chrome with red Chevrolet lettering. Brad

 

Owen - Posted - 03/28/2026:  14:53:06

Lookin' good.   

Re. flattening out the back of the rivet ..... didn't they have a head?

Edit: Ooops!  On closer look I think I see the head on the outside.... so can understand the swedging (?) would be down in a bit of a depression/hollow on the backside.

Edited by - Owen on 03/28/2026 15:00:21

rinemb - Posted - 03/28/2026:  15:38:35

quote:

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Originally posted by Owen

Lookin' good.   

Re. flattening out the back of the rivet ..... didn't they have a head?

Edit: Ooops!  On closer look I think I see the head on the outside.... so can understand the swedging (?) would be down in a bit of a depression/hollow on the backside.

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They are solid rivets.  Even the aluminum took some pounding.  I bought a concave rivet tool and mounted it in vice grips, then rested the head on that while I beat on the other end with a ball peen hammer.