I have a stepladder that I bought for getting to the eyepiece on Big Bertha, but the rivets that hold it tight have loosened a bit. This page shows how to tighten loose rivets using a clamp and a ball bearing, but I cannot find a single ball bearing in my garage or house. I am clamping without the ball bearing, in the hopes it helps even without.
Some rivets are behind structures that I cannot reach, but it is noticeably tighter, even without the ball bearing.
A bicycle shop.
ReplyDeleteLocal hardware stores, depending upon who stocks them - have one that I frequent because the hardware I need the most frequently from their loose hardware section is cheaper than anywhere else, and another that I go to because their loose hardware section is much more comprehensive than anywhere else -- it is the second sort that you want to find:
https://www.williamsacehardware.com/inet/storefront/store.php?mode=searchstore&search%5Bsearchfor%5D=ball+bearing
if you find the one I dropped lubing my bicycle hub let me know.
ReplyDeleteJust turn a hemisphere on yer lathe.
ReplyDeleteIt'll work as well as a ball for tightening rivets
Any small round object should work; I've got a small ball peen hammer that would be useable with a clamp.
ReplyDeleteThe article says "a standard BB will do." Are you telling us you can't come up with one BB?
ReplyDeleteOf course you can always cut up a bearing or a shotshell with big, hard shot and get one. And there's steel slingshot ammo.
No loose ball bearings around the house; ballpeen hammer is a good idea; I bought a 3/16" ball bearing at Ace for $0.18.
ReplyDelete