I am currently working on a project where we had to remove some rivets from the roof edge to weld in small patches to repair rusted out pieces. We have 3/8 and 1/2 sized holes. What are some solutions to putting something back in the hole in place of the rivet? Big screws would work, but i'm not sure where to get them or how to fasten them.

I think I have an idea of what your into, and there are probably many ways to get to where your going.

However, you might want to start with McMaster-Carr for your fasteners. Not only fasteners, but just about anything else you can think of for railroad restoration items.

https://www.mcmaster.com/

It's just up to your imagination.

Scott

You can buy rivet head bolts with a knurled shaft like a wheel stud. Not sure who makes them.

McMaster Carr is about the last place I would tell any restoration project to purchase fasteners unless they have a bottomless supply of cash. Most restoration prjects are cash tight and should look at other sources like Jamestown distributors for things like bulk fasteners first.

Mcmaster is a good resource to try and see what is available or if its thrursday afternoon and you need it saturday morning and are will to pay the price for this convenience.

Simple search found this site that probably has what you are looking for

http://www.blacksmithbolt.com/

Huck makes blind fasteners in large sizes, available in steel and stainless steel, for example:

Huck Magna-Lok (max hole size 1/2")
https://www.afshuck.net/us/en/Products/Fasteners/Blind_Fasteners/Magna-Lok.html and [url][/url]

Huck BOM (max hole size 3/4")
https://www.afshuck.net/us/en/Products/ ... ckBOM.html

Alternately:

BlindBolt makes a hammer-lock blind rivet (you'd have to investigate if these would be strong enough in your application):
https://www.blindbolt.com/heavy-duty-bolt/

Good luck! - Doug Debs

I think they are asking for something more like this:
https://mmfastenersdist.com/rail-bolt/

Search around, I've seen some that look more like a rivet with a rounder head and natural finish.

Tek screws are ideal for this job. If you are not familiar with Tek screws they are a screw with a drill bit tip. Using a power tool you, simply push down hard on the screw and it will drill the hole and tighten like a normal screw. If the hole is already there all the better. Make sure the screw is slightly larger then the hole. For this job I would recommend stainless screws and a phillip wafer or torx head. Many of these screws have rubber gaskets if needed.
https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/ ... n=60&x=wrt

https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/ ... n=60&x=wrt