Want to attach my newly made ali bonnet support to the rear 'face' of the nose cone.

Riveting would be the most convenient.

I'm worried it'll crack the GRP though. I've managed to put Rivnuts into GRP but worried the pressure needed to 'pop' the rivet will crack things.

Anyone who's managed to rivet into GRP successfully?

Thanks,
James

[Edited on 20/2/06 by James]

peel rivets. They are quite long and the inner "tube" splits into 3 or 4 along its length. the bits peel over and push against the GRP a few mm away from the hole.

I have used some to hold my rear wing in place at the front. I had already fitted one of the internal panels. I used M4 nuts bolts and spreader washers for the rest of the arch and the other arch.

They seem to have held just fine over the few months since building the car. they do have some "pull in" as well, to pull two panels together, but not as much as a not and bolt.

Cut a strip of ali to go behind the GRP, drill through both, the open out holes in strip to take rivnuts. Bond strip to back of GRP. Spreads load nicely.

Use washers to spread the load...my Fury has various bits rivetted to the GRP without problem...

Yep, use large penny washers to spread the load. You will not crack the GRP then.

David

Used rivet washers on the back and no probs.

Rich.

I have got some of the aforementioned 'peel' rivets in stock.

A mere 5p ea, would want to do 100 off minimum though.

The 'proper' item you are looking for is called a rivet Burr. they are cheaply available from most places that stock blind rivets. (have seen Stanley branded ones in Homebase quite cheap)

Rivet Burrs should always be used when riveting GRP unless another form of metal load spreader is used. Failure to do so will lead to the rivets fretting and ultimately falling out.

HTH

Cheers

Drilling them out at a later date can be a bit dodgy though ? the drill skids onto the softer GRP and not through the rivet I found