What's the name of this kind of bolt?

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simonbarker

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Not sure what they're called so can't hunt down replacements, they're bolts that are capped off (presumably so you can't remove them without breaking them) and you usually find them at the bottom of lighting stands.

I actually need some for a collapsible reflector that's been damaged so they need to be pretty short otherwise I could just use a screw and nut to get a similar result.

standbolts.jpg~original
 
They're rivets but not pop rivets which are usually the sort of thing you might use to fit a body panel on a car.

As you said you can replace them with a nut and bolt, preferably a locknut if you can get one, which will stop the bolt working loose and falling apart. Make sure the bolt is a good fit in the hole otherwise it'll be a wee bit wobbly but don't tighten the nut completely otherwise you won't be able to collapse the light stand.

edit (I'm not suggesting you couldn't fix it with a pop rivet but only it would be easier with a nut and bolt and that the pop rivet would be too tight to open and close easily)
 
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A painful reminder of how useless I am at DIY but thank you all, much appreciated.

If it ends with me riveting my arm to the reflector I'll make sure to post pics.
 
simonbarker said:
A painful reminder of how useless I am at DIY but thank you all, much appreciated.

If it ends with me riveting my arm to the reflector I'll make sure to post pics.
Click to expand...
You'll have to bolt it, there really isn't a simple way to recreate those rivets at home.

I'd recommend a bolt and self locking nut, which will tighten and still allow it to pivot.
 
Phil V said:
You'll have to bolt it, there really isn't a simple way to recreate those rivets at home.

I'd recommend a bolt and self locking nut, which will tighten and still allow it to pivot.
Click to expand...

Yep. That's what I did when "adapting" one of my stands. You'll need to drill out the old rivet, from the indented side is easiest.
And make sure you have a clean tea towel and plasters handy for when the drill slips and goes through the palm of your hand.
 
Graham W said:
Yep. That's what I did when "adapting" one of my stands. You'll need to drill out the old rivet, from the indented side is easiest.
And make sure you have a clean tea towel and plasters handy for when the drill slips and goes through the palm of your hand.
Click to expand...
Or rest it on a small piece of timber. (Either way works)
 
Phil V said:
You'll have to bolt it, there really isn't a simple way to recreate those rivets at home.

I'd recommend a bolt and self locking nut, which will tighten and still allow it to pivot.
Click to expand...

I'll try using blind rivets on the reflector as it looks to have been using them in the first place but I probably won't bother on the stand as it would only be to repair the air cushion on the bottom column and it'll probably end up in a worse state for my troubles.
 
If it were mine I would replace them all with lock nuts bolts and washers.
It would be better and take little longer than fixing the one.

You need to get one out to check its diameter, as a tightish fit is far better than a loose one.

The rivets are used because they are very very cheap and quick to uses during manufacturing.

This is the sort you want in the correct length you will also need washers at each end.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BOLTS-XOX...rial_Nails_Fixing_MJ&var=&hash=item5d3cef0962
 
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DIY stores have a wide range of nuts and bolts and stuff, pre-packet in little plastic bags of ten or so. Hundreds of them, and if you're lucky, they might be arranged in some kind of logical order. Take accurate measurements, or preferably take the item to the store - memory won't be good enough if you want an accurate fit.

ps For a temporary bodge, try something simple like a bit of wire just pushed through and bent over. For something small, try a paper-clip; larger items might require a coat-hanger. Some of my temporary repairs last for years :D
 
Heavy duty cable tie.;)
 
Not sure a bodge job is a good idea. Either for the kit on top, or for any one or anything it fell on.
these lightweight stands are not that firm standing at the best of times.
 
Terrywoodenpic said:
Not sure a bodge job is a good idea. Either for the kit on top, or for any one or anything it fell on.
these lightweight stands are not that firm standing at the best of times.
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No worries, if I can't do the job right I won't be doing it. I'll probably just attempt to repair the collapsible reflector as the existing rivets are already out (how the hell the previous owner managed to shear them in half I don't know). Worst case scenario it ends up in the bin but it should be a simple fix and I can't bring myself to toss an otherwise perfectly good 5 in 1 reflector.

As the stand needs solid rivets and I'd need to drill or saw through the existing ones it's probably not worth the trouble especially as I don't plan to keep it but we'll see.
 
It is an extremely simple job to drill out the rivets as they have a depression in the centre.
It would be best to hold them in a vise. What you have to do is drill with a slightly larger bit. This will soon split off the rolled over part of the rivet.
the rivet can then be knocked through with a suitable sized nail or centre punch.
measure the thickness to order new bolts.
the back end of a drill bit can be used to determine the size of the hole.
I would expect the whole job to take no more than a few minutes.
 
Llamaman said:
This thread is turning into a script for Casualty...
Click to expand...
Yes it is, and don't take any notice of these people talking about injuries...

1. Not everyone who drills out a rivet will be injured by the drill.
2. Rumor has it that not all of these injuries are fatal anyway
3. The Darwin awards website needs people to try doing things like this, otherwise it won't survive
:)
 
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