I went absolutely gaga for Rivnuts when someone on another forum brought them to my attention! I even bought the tool. But after a bit more research, it seemed that the occasional one would spin, just not get tight enough, even with the very expensive hydraulic aircraft tool. That scared me off them, but perhaps with epoxy they would do the job better. 5200, I don't think would be strong enough in a twisting motion. So I'm going to get a few and give them a try with epoxy on something a lot less critical than a windgen mount. I can always go back and put some on the windgen mount later if I'm satisfied with my experiment.Is everyone talking rivets or rivnuts? Wouldn't the latter be much stronger and more appropriate for a cleat? Could this be one of the rare instances where bedding with 5200 could be recommended?
i think they make a countersunk head rivet for that....search Morson fasteners for them they also make a very good pop rivet gunUpdate:
I drilled out the old rivets. Turns out the holes are OVER 1/4 inches in diameter. That makes tapping and drilling for screws impossible as the next size screw is 5/16" which a) would require me to widen the cleat holes to the point where the strength of the (nylon) cleat would be compromised.
I ordered some 1/4" rivets and a rivet tool however the holes are recessed about 1.5cm into the cleat which makes using the tool impossible. How did they ever install these things at the factory?!?!?!
I think the factory may have used a special rivet tool with a small diameter (less than 1/2").i think they make a countersunk head rivet for that....search Morson fasteners for them they also make a very good pop rivet gun
I got a pretty heavy duty one off amazon along with some 1/4" stainless steel rivets from fastenal thinking this would be a quick repair.I have seen manufactures on masts where strength is needed using stainless steel pop rivets vs. aluminum and you will need the heavier pop rivet gun vs. the one you can buy for a home mechanic.
I have one similar. The problem is that tip is too fat to fit into the countersunk hole (maybe 1/2") to drive the rivet.this is a heavy duty pop rivet gun by marson
http://www.amazon.com/Marson-39035-Riveter-Hand-Daddy/dp/B000K1NM4K
I took one of my rivet gun tips to the grinder and tapered it so it would recess in with the head of the rivet... there is more metal in them than is necessary to do the install job, but they need it there to make a place for the wrench to fit so they can be changed out easily.The problem is that tip is too fat to fit into the countersunk hole (maybe 1/2") to drive the rivet.