"Jeff Wisnia" wrote in message
. ..
AE Todd wrote:

I am looking for something like a rivet, but instead of joining two
thin pieces of something, I want to join a square post that is an inch
thick to a U-shaped chanel, so that the post will able to revolve. A
rivet would do, but it won't span the 1.5" that makes up the thickness
of this area. BTW, the thing is made of aluminum. Any ideas?

Presuming you don't want to use a bolt and nut or a cotter pin for
security reasons and you want to keep it "all aluminum", then....

You could buy a length of appropriate diameter aluminum rod at HD, saw off
a piece the correct length and make your own rivet heads at both ends just
by tapping with a ball peen hammer.

Jeff


As an old Tool & Diemaker I must say you have already gotten some good
advice. Someone mentioned bigger rivets being available. I am in a very
small city and we have a local tool supplier for professional tools. They
may carry something like that. A local machine / fabrication shop might
give you a couple. Our nearest fastener supplier is an hour away and they
might want you to buy a box of a thousand. For the ones that suggested you
make one, I would suggest starting with a piece of cold-rolled (soft) steel
as opposed to a bolt which most probably will be case hardened. You
probably don't want to start with something that is hardened to make a
rivet - but on the other hand, a hardened piece will withstand the wear of
the spinning much better.