Removing acorn nuts

[foofght]

How do you remove the acorn nuts throughout the camper? I tried unthreading them but they just rotate about. Do they just pry off? Do i have to replace the rivet when I eventually remove the nut?

Sorry for a simple question.

I'm looking to remove one of the shelves above the side dinette and was surprised the nuts didn't just rotate off.

[Jon in AZ]

The acorn nut is only cosmetic. Even if you get it off, the cabinet will still be held tightly by a bulge in the rivet shaft. That bulge is also what holds the acorn nut in place.

Rivets are removed by drilling off the head from the outside. Be careful not to drill too wide or deep or you may enlarge the hole. You may need a second person on the inside to grip the end to keep it from spinning while you drill.

I’m assuming this is a Scamp or a Casita?

[Dave Fish]

I used to try to tighten the acorn nuts on my Casita until I figured out their only function was cosmetic. I think prying them off or possibly using alligator pliers would remove them.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by foofght

...
I'm looking to remove one of the shelves above the side dinette and was surprised the nuts didn't just rotate off.

Originally Posted by Dave Fish

... I think prying them off or possibly using alligator pliers would remove them.

Yes you could probably pull them off. But if they are attached Scamp or Casita style (with a rivet) then there is no reason to do so unless you are removing the rivet. If you want to remove the rivets (to remove a shelf or cabinet), then (as Jon mentioned) drill off the head of the rivet and replace the rivet, or use a SS bolt with nylock washer to replace it, if it still needed. If the fastener is no longer required then just patch the hole.

[Radar1]

The acorn nut is tightened by the expanding end of the rivet as the rivet is installed. It is likely that removing the acorn nut by prying would remove the tension of the rivet, since the rivet may have expanded and snapped up to 1/4" before actually contacting the surface that the acorn nut was resting on, since it snapped when the rivet could no longer expand within the acorn nut.
I would prepare to replace any removed acorn nuts with either a new rivet, or do what I have done and replace any broken rivets with 1/4 x 20 stainless steel screws and nylock nuts. Pro Dec company sells snap cap washers specifically designed for the 1/4" stainless steel screws, and many other sizes also.
We have had a couple acorn nuts just fall off over time, which we replaced with the SS screws.

[steve67]

Another member was asking the same question... Some answers here:

https://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/...zes-92682.html

[foofght]

Thanks all.

I'm now wondering about rivets and stainless screw/bolts and washers, but will search around to see what the thoughts are.

[steve67]

These are the fasteners I used to replace all the pop rivet to acorn nuts. The machine screws are 10-32UNF x 1" (length allowing for shortening when needed. All pieces are stainless steel to deal with condensation.

The acorn nuts do not need to be too tight, so some Locktite could be useful.