Countersinking tips?

Dierick · Post by **Dierick** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:13 pm

I'm putting together a kastenbrust style and judging from the artwork and info I've found on it, the rivets tended to be countersunk.

I've never countersunk a rivet before. Or anything for that matter. Anyone got any tips? Specifically, do I need to get rivets made for countersinking, and the suggested method for making the sink in the hole.

Is there a type of drill bit or hand punch I can use after I punch the holes with the roper?

Also, how well will these hold up to regular sca combat? I'm thinking 1/8 stainless rivets through 18 or 20g stainless plate.

Sorry, I know its kind of a newb question, but I couldn't find anything through a search.

Thomas H · Post by **Thomas H** » Mon Jan 07, 2008 5:28 pm

Counersinking is relatively straight forward, with a little practice.

1: Punch your hole in the desired spot

2: Take a drilll bit and chuck it up, something about 2mm more than the hole diameter.

3: carefully drill the punched hole until almost through, maybe 3/4 of the way through the material. careful or you may remove too much and end up wiht only a small amount of material actually gripping the steel.

4: Take your countersunk rivet and set as normal. Trying to get it as flat as possible. File the excess rivet head flush with the material until smooth and pretty :-)

Et Voila.

http://www.rivetsinstock.com/rivet03.htm

Alcyoneus · Post by **Alcyoneus** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:12 am

20 would dent fairly regularily.

18 will dent, but it will take longer.

Is there any evidence of riveted construction? I don't recall seeing any surviving examples, off hand. With 1/8" rivets, I don't think I'd space them more than about 1-2" apart.

Uryen · Post by **Uryen** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:15 am

Thomas H wrote:3: carefully drill the punched hole until almost through, maybe 3/4 of the way through the material. careful or you may remove too much and end up wiht only a small amount of material actually gripping the steel.

Working in the industry where rivit strength matters, my brain screams 'no! no NO!'.. But quite frankly, for armour, this will work just fine.

Dierick · Post by **Dierick** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 10:12 am

Alcyoneus wrote:Is there any evidence of riveted construction? I don't recall seeing any surviving examples, off hand. With 1/8" rivets, I don't think I'd space them more than about 1-2" apart.

Not too worried about dents. It will be thicker where it counts. I'm just worried about the rivets ripping out once the rivet holes work harden after use and begin to crack.

Most of the pics I've seen from the end of the period seem to be riveted construction, but there are a couple of earlier ones that could be hard rivited or leather articulation.

Sextus Maximus · Post by **Sextus Maximus** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 12:09 pm

I use a Counter Sink Drill bit that is around 10 bucks at Lowe's or any other hardware store. Really does the trick in deburring holes and able to counter sink as well.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=p ... lpage=none