SARRT (Semi-Automatic Rivet Removal Tool)

Best $2.99 spent-must read!

If you ever tried to punch out a bad rivet on your RV you typically need a helper or 3 hands. One to hold the punch, one to hold the hammer and one to hold a backup block on the shop side of the rivet. After getting rather frustrated waiting for a helper to lend a hand I had an idea. But like many of my ideas it just flashed before my eyes and I didn’t do anything about it. As time passed and my need to remove bad rivets diminished I didn’t think too much about my idea. Then one day I was in Harbor Freight and I saw what I was looking for, an automatic center punch on sale for $2.99. Suddenly my earlier idea flashed before my eyes again and I took the plunge and risked my hard earned $2.99. I took my new toy home and immediately went to and sanding disk and created (took about 1 minute) one of the handiest tools in my inventory, the Semi-Automatic Rivet Removal Tool (SARRT). Now someone may have come up with this in the past but I have not seen it nor have some of the tool companies either.

What this tool offers is the ability for one person to easily punch out bad rivets from 3/32 to 1/8 diameter.  What I found out through testing this device is that it works even better then using a hammer and punch.  You may wonder why but it is simple.  The impact from the SARRT occurs much faster then the impact using a hammer and punch and it “shoots” the rivets out when used.  I have even tested the device on 1/8 rivets set in ¼” plate and was able to remove them with ease with only a few “blows” with the SARRT.  Even if you need a partner to help back-up a rivet because your other hand can’t reach, the SARRT provides a simple and safe method over the punch and hammer.

Using the SARRT is simple but you need to prepare the bad rivet for removal. 

I have found a good procedure that works well. 

For 1/8” rivets:

1. Drill the head off the rivet.
2. Down the core with a 3/32” diameter drill bit about ½ way down.  This will help reduce the stress when removing the rivet.
3. Drill a hole 3/16” or so in a wooden block and back up the rivet with the hole over the shop head.
4. Place the SARRT on/in the rivet hole and stroke the handle to create the impact. Start out with a low impact setting on the SARRT and increase as required.

For 3/32” rivets:

1. Drill the head off the rivet.
2. Down the core with a #42 diameter drill bit about ½ way down.  This will help reduce the stress when removing the rivet.
3. Drill a hole 3/16” or so in a wooden block and back up the rivet with the hole over the shop head.
4. Place the SARRT on/in the rivet hole and stroke the handle to create the impact. Start out with a low impact setting on the SARRT and increase as required.

Most 3/32” rivets “shoot” out with only one impact, while 1/8” rivets in thick materials may take 2-3 impacts so make sure you protect your eyes. 

For those who doubt whether this tool will make a difference I challenge you to gamble your $2.99 (sale price) $4.99 (regular price) and give it a try.  I truly believe you will not be disappointed.  This one of those must have tools in my collection. I just wished I had this tool when I started my project.