Help with rivets size

[Robo Dad]

Does anybody know what size rivets I need for the porch light? I need to put a new one on.

Thanks

[Jim Bennett]

You can use a drill bit to determine the size of a rivet. It should fit very snug in the hole.

[Casita Greg]

1/8" Dia. X 1/2" L.
Standard aluminum pop-rivets that you can get at any hardware or big box store.

Be sure to put some sealant in the holes before inserting and squeezing the rivets to seal them well against water intrusion. You won't need Snap Caps because they are riveted inside under the lens.

[k corbin]

Originally Posted by Casita Greg

1/8" Dia. X 1/2" L.
Standard aluminum pop-rivets that you can get at any hardware or big box store.

Be sure to put some sealant in the holes before inserting and squeezing the rivets to seal them well against water intrusion. You won't need Snap Caps because they are riveted inside under the lens.

If you go to a hardware store, True Value, Ace, Do-it-best types of chains that have all those bins of individually sold nuts and bolts you should be able to find in that section of the store some 1/8" Dia x 1/2" L stainless steel pop rivets with a solid pin. I can pull that size of stainless rivet with a hand operated rivet puller. The stainless rivets have a greater strength than the aluminum rivets. You will also find in that by-the-piece bin area the small rubber washers to use with pull rivets. I have been getting mine at my local Do-It-Best hardware store.

[Casita Greg]

Why would you need to buy more expensive stainless steel rivets for something like this? They're only going to be holding a plastic light that maybe weighs a couple of ounces.

[Borrego Dave]

SS rivets have their place, but using them for items with a thin plastic base build like the OP wants to install is just asking for cracking the plastic before the rivet pops. Can even happen with aluminum rivets once in a while.....oops.

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by Borrego Dave

SS rivets have their place, but using them for items with a thin plastic base build like the OP wants to install is just asking for cracking the plastic before the rivet pops. Can even happen with aluminum rivets once in a while.....oops.

Furthermore, SS rivets are harder to drill out if the item they are holding ever needs to be replaced. And aluminum doesn't rust, which I would think would be the reason one would use SS in the first place.

[Robo Dad]

Thanks for all the advice, mischief has been managed!