[quote=clymbon]I just went through a huge web-search on the whole topic of aluminum vs. stainless steel vs. monel rivets and how to place them. In the end, I bought stock rivets from a hobie dealer and installed them with a heavy-duty hand rivet gun that a borrowed from a friend. These were 3/16 rivets for a Hobie 16 mast base repair. Stock Hobie rivets are monel - an alloy that is stronger than aluminum but doesn't have galvanic corrosion problems. Don't screw around with any special rivets, just call your Hobie (or Nacra, or whatever) dealer and get the manufacturer's recommended rivets.
For 3/16 rivets you definitely need a high quality rivet tool, but a simple hand model will do - you don't need an air-compressor driven model. I was able to install the rivets without resorting to extending the rivet tools grips with a length of pipe, or anything like that (likely to break the tool if you have to do that). It did take a very strong grip - let's just say all those sessions in the climbing gym paid off an unexpected bonus! People with big strong hands, tennis players, rock climbers, massage therapists, etc. will have no trouble. People with small hands or not a lot off grip strength may have a struggle.[/quote]
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