Any body found a good supplier of boiler rivets. It seems that the latest batch from our supplier contains a large amount of alloy materials and are very difficult to drive correctly. They require a higher furnace soak temperature than I have used in the past.I am told that the alloy material comes from the fact that they are made from recycled steel rather than from steel made from raw materials. The steel scrap that is used contains items from bearings to bumpers. I am also told by the sales department that even with the extra alloy elements that they still meet boiler grade rivet specification. I would prefer to work with the softer rivet material that I have used in the past. Unfortunately the supply of old stock rivets I have used in the past has been depleted. Has anyone else experienced any thing similar with their 3/4 inch and larger rivets? Or do I just need to chalk this one up to changes in technology and change my technique and temperature of my furnace? Thanks for any input you may give.
Mike

mtillger@enter.net