Wheel arm support rivets

[DavidABarclay]

Good morning again from beautiful Bulverde Texas. I’m on to my next project. I had to remove the small U shaped braces from the wheel arm to straighten them out. I had to to grind them off.
Now that everything is straight I’m wanting to put the back on as close to original as possible. I know I can just use a 5/8 nut and bolt but I like original. I’ve looked for rivets but I’m not sure if these were rivets? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
David

[windybob]

Yup, those are flathead rivets. In the old days, these were sold at many local hardware stores, not so today. You can get them at larger retail stores, or on line.

The thing is.....originals were galvanized with the arm, or before. Getting a galvanized rivet these days, may or not be easy. If you do get them, then beating them over will expose raw steel probably. Or maybe try a grade 2 bolt of the right size, beating them over instead. They are usually cadmium, and you can maybe buy some good coating to paint over them after peening.

[DavidABarclay]

Thanks Bob! Always have good advice.

[windybob]

Yup. I did a display mill once, static. Wheel was on the ground, head upstairs. The wheel has stainless rails. when I did the sails, I used alum rivets. Looks galv, stays put, doesn't rust. Of course, it NEVER spun, so that's why I did it.

waukomis 1.jpg

[Wayne]

Where's that at Windy. Looks right Charming! Might be worth a photo op sometime.

[windybob]

Waukomis Oklahoma. They wanted to put in a display celebrating pioneers of the west. circa 1905 or so. I found them a 1903 Dandy. It even says so on the tower.

Dandy 4.. 4 - 17.jpg

Dandy 5...4-17.jpg

[windybob]

The portrayal is that the "homesteader" is looking up at the windmill, ready to install the wheel. Wheel bands were stainless, due to contact with the statues bronze. You know, it's that old electrolysis thing.

[mtblah]

Outstanding craftsmanship !
glad your feeling better.

[mtblah]

David, you an get those flat head rivets from Fastenall .
also look at the section here on where to get stuff, sources, its a great reference .

[windybob]

Yes, Mike. Doing better. I don't need to crawl back to the bed after being upright for 30 seconds now.

I do have an appointment for direct injections in the spine. Between that, and meds, and PT, i should be good to go.