Rivets at hard to access spots - how to remove them ?

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faugusztin

2[H]4U
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Mar 9, 2008
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Hi,

i have a issue with my Fractal Design Define R3 - considering all i have is 1 SSD, i don't need any of the 8 3,5" positions, and would choose instead a better intake airflow (especially as i'm upgrading to Air Penetrators sometime soon).

There are 8 rivets securing this drive bay in place, 4 at bottom are no problem, they can be drilled out from bottom.

The problem are these 4 :
dsc0007yb.jpg


The rivet head is at top, but it is impossible to drill them out from there because that is only 2 drive bays (no space to do that). On other side, it is not easy from bttom either - the rivets are just 0,5cm from the side, and there is a divider 15cm bellow what can you see on photo. So what should i do to get rid of the hard drive cage ? What tool to use ?

Any ideas are welcome :).
 
Removing the top means removing another 8 rivets. Yeah, it could be then accessible from top, but then i would painted screws or painted rivets+riveting tool to keep the original paint etc etc.

Dremel is a option, but i need to get rid of the head, no ? Heads are inside the 5,25" drive cage.
 
either end of the blind rivet.

All you need to do is make one end small enough to pass through the holes in the metal.
 
There is also the brute force option of using chisel and a hammer to cut the head off.

Careful though, it can leave some ugly scratches.
 
No to the hammer and chisel. Bad idea of the day. ;)

Drill is ideal. Cleaner. Remove any parts you need to get to the 4 rivets in question. Only 8 rivets? Go for it. Color match? Easy.

Dremel is good as well. Use a cutting wheel or sanding barrel. Careful not to cut/grind the surround area.

Good luck! :)
 
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