[Harp-L] Arbor press for rivets?

[Vern]

Coincidently, I just ordered a $3 gadget that may do the job out of the box or with some modifications.
I can afford the cheap price to find out if it will work.  The throat of the “C” frame may not be deep enough.  

See https://www.ebay.com/itm/351789004917?ul_noapp=true <https://www.ebay.com/itm/351789004917?ul_noapp=true>

I’ll report on it when it arrives. 

 
> On Sep 25, 2018, at 12:06 PM, David Pearce via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> 
> Does anyone know if an Arbor press could be used to press harmonica reed rivets?

Conditioned yes.

A drill press or an arbor press could be used.  The tip of the punch is the critical part.  It needs to be about .035” Dia, (a bit smaller than the rivet shaft)  .05” long, (a bit longer than the reed plate thickness), and of hardened steel (to avoid buckling or mushrooming). The backing behind the reed plate is also important.  It should provide a hole through which the head can pass but provide support so that the plate doesn’t bridge on the adjacent rivets and bend when you apply force.  If you wish for the rivet to remain in the reed, then a clearance slot behind the plate is required.  

The shank of a #65 twist drill cut off or chucked upside-down in a drill press may work.  As backup You might use a piece of an old comb.  The shape and size of the parts that touch the rivet and the plate are important.  Get them right and almost anything that will push them together will work.

I’m sure that you wanted a shorter answer.  Forgive me if I filled in so much background that the foreground went underground.

Vern