tightening rivets

[lele]

what is the best way to tighten rivets on the doors of screen cages? I have used pliers to squeeze them to frame but it is a temporary fix. Due to constant opening over the years they have become quite loose. tips??

thanks,
lele

 

[Justin Carl]

They cant be tightened or reused.
Drill them out and replace them with a screw.
You will never have that problem again.
I think I have told someone to do this before.
-good luck

 

[lele]

THANKS, BUT (oops - caps on...) won't the screws keep loosening up every time you open the door or panel? I am referring to the rivets that hold the flip latch.

 

[Justin Carl]

Hmmm....
I didnt know it was the latch.
Did you try to super glue the rivot in place?
I'm not sure how that is put together...
You could always drill out the rivot and install another one.

 

[lele]

I think you need a specific tool to put in a rivet. I assume a lot of people who have these cages must have run into this same problem. Maybe I'll post it on the enclosures forum for more exposure.

I have an old one that is not "feeder proof" because it never went together nice and tight but I have never had trouble with the rivets loosening up. I don't think it is aluminum as it is quite heavy. It was from Chris at reptilehaven about 5+ years ago. I use it for my wild silk moth rearing in the summer and cocoon storage in winter and it has proven indestructible! I think the aluminum, being soft, dents a bit where the rivet is attached and adds to the problem...

 

[chris]

Screws work fine for the tabs too. Just make sure they are stainless steel with a flat head and not a tapered head. If at all possible try to have the tabs so they are screwed into the plastic corners and you will find they stay much tighter. A cheap hand riveter is about $9.99 at home depot too.

 

[Mesnik]

You can get a rivet gun at Home Depot very cheap. Just rivet a new one in.

OR, use a screw. Don't tighten it too much and use thread lock glue (loctite)... also cheap at HD...