for removing the rivots on the front spring shackle? I have a smaller grinder and a sawz all. I have all the tools in the world to access as far as sockets, wrenchs etc but not really any good air tools. Will one of these work or should i try to find a different tool?

 

when you say grinder do you mean side-grinder? if so that will do the job perfectly just be smart, not dumb like me, always wear safety GOGGLES when grinding.

 

Yes a side grinder should work fine.

You may also want to wear long sleeves while grinding too. A few weeks ago I was cutting the exhaust off a friends car, and a few slivers of metal penetrated the skin in my forearm. They've been stuck there and driving me crazy ever since! To the point that I've scratched my arm to the point of scabbing but I've no idea how to remove them.

 

Yes its a side grinder, its not one of the bigger ones so i was just making sure it would do the job ok

 

Sorry to hear that, man. Now, I'm being serious, but how about a powerful magnet? I have a magnet for my boat, for "marine recovery" of overboard items, that allegedly lifts 250lbs. (underwater). Even a small horsehoe magnet might do it, if the wound was still *gulp* open.

Or, better than a magnet even--a doctor?

Speaking of magnets, you really should get those slivers removed, because if you ever need an MRI for any reason, those chips are going to be pulled right out of your body--the danger is, what part of you they go through, first. (I had to get the orbits of my eyes x-rayed, once, before an MRI--the technician said since I worked with metal, I could have metal particles I didn't know about it in my eyes. MRI machines are so powerful, they have pulled floor scrubbers right into themselves. Happily, I did not have anything in my eyes, so it was safe to do an MRI. I try to be extra careful ever since--knock on wood three times).

Actually, given that you don't know how many are in there, a doctor will need to do an x-ray, to know how many are there, for sure.

Hope you get it resolved quickly.

On a lighter note, here's some images of MRI machines eating floor scrubbers because the cleaning crew got too close: MRI machine floor scrubber - Google Images Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.

Big Six

 

A good blade & a sawz all is faster ... Lew

 

BFH are always useful in any situation...

 

And this is exactly why I would never close to the 600hp electric motor at my old job while it's running - I do know for certain I have metal slivers in my right eye, as they drove me nuts for a week, and ever since when I walked near one of the smaller electric motors I'd feel a dull pain in my eye. Health insurance didn't cover work-related accidents, I had college bills to pay so no money for a doctor visit, I just learned to live with it... No MRI for me I guess, but it's all good, I couldn't afford one anyways, lol Back on the original topic - yes, an angle grinder will work, I have a 4-1/2" one that I've used for chassis work like that, it takes a while and it can (and likely will) drive your neighbors nuts, but it'll get the job done.

 

For getting the metal splinters out of your arm, find a GOOD pair of tweezers that the ends contact together well on, magnetize them by leaving a magnet on them for a hour, find a good magnifying glass and get to work. Trust me, I am a expert at DIY surgery........Too much experience.

 

I was just going to say, if you ever get an MRI with those metal pieces in your arm you're going to be in for a big painful surprise. I would seriously get that taken care of.

 

These should get that nasty metal sliver out!!!!
Oh, I remember ... rivets........that's what this is about.

 

I like these real thin metal cutting discs, as opposed to a regular grinding disc, for the rivets. The reason being is, the quite-thin disc (.045") allows you to cut really close to the hanger, and you avoid having to grind away the whole depth of the rivet. Essentially, you "chop" the top portion off of the rivet off, by cutting real close to the hanger, so that a little "button" of the rivet head drops off. I just find it faster and easier than grinding down through the whole depth of the rivet. YMMV. You may still need the regular grinding wheel for some of it, perhaps, but that's my preference.

Of course, you have to get the correct diameter for your grinder (4" or 4 1/2", etc...) and the correct arbor diameter. These thinner discs don't last nearly as long as the regular grinding wheel, either, but because they are straight, and a grinding wheel is often built with a curved face, these "cut off dics" (my term) allow for cleaner, more accurate cuts.

Link: DEWALT at Lowe's: 4" x .045" x 5/8" High-Performance Metal Cutting Wheel

I don't think I've used the Dewalt brand as much as others, but they're all pretty similar, IME.

REMEMBER TO WEAR EYE AND HEARING PROTECTION, in addition to the long sleeves, as mentioned earlier. I actually wear a face shield and safety glasses, often.

Oh--and obviously any grinding disc can shatter, but these thin ones seem fairly delicate-I've never had one blow (knock on wood three times), but if you "hook" one and tear a chunk out of it, DO NOT keep using it. They're all of $1.97 and a chipped/notched one is dangerous and should be destroyed, IMO.

Big Six