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I’m putting in a drop ceiling, and I’m trying to locate a “pop rivet punch” to install the rivets faster. Does anyone know where I can buy one? I’ve tried Home Depot, Sears Hardware, Woodworkers Warehouse and they don’t know what I’m talking about. If anyone knows where I can Buy one I would appreciate the help. Also, How often should the grids be riveted? Thanks so much.
MT
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I assume that you are talking about a Whitney Jr.
http://www.roperwhitney.com/punching/2-45.asp
Here is one dealer http://www.lowbucktools.com/rw_punch.html
I don't know anything about them, they just showed up in a google search for "roper whitney punch"
*Where are you planning to rivet the grid?And why?
*Thanks for the info Bill, appreciate it.
*Goeff, I rivet the mains and the tee's in certain areas to stabalize the ceiling once I have it squre and level. Don't you?
*Cobral, I don,t think the "Tee's" are long enough to rivet to the mains.At least the ceilings I put in. Now if you are dropping in a diffuser you may want to secure it with rivets. Or if you are building a bulkhead. Your supplier should be able to sell you the punch. Don't just squeeze, rotate it back and forth you'll shear through faster.
*I got one from Harbor Freight for $20 - $15. I think ENCO sells them for around $50. That number is 1-800-USE-ENCO. Both are on the Web, I'm sure. Also you could call up a specialty contractor who installs these things and ask where they get them locally. -Peter
*I have never had the need to rivet. Riveting to stabilize the ceiling would lead me to believe the installation is unstable. I don't understand? I have never riveted and never had an unstable ceiling.Are you in an earthquake prone area?
*When I am working above the ceiling grid level, I hate unstable things. It gives me willies! I don't like to grab a piece of T-bar to keep from falling only to discover that on end is not fastened to anything. At work today, I did notice that one of the HVAC guys had on and so I asked him where he got it. He said, "Frmm the other guy." Then the other guy chimed in that it came from McMaster. But he added that it's cheaper to buy them through his employer. -Peter
*I've had one of those whitney punches in my tool collection for many years. They are handy when you need to punch a lot of holes in light gauge materials. I don't use it much any more.Riveting the grid system is not absolutely necessary, but reccommended. If you fit the end pieces tight, you probably won't need to rivet much. The pieces could get pushed out of alignment however.We were taught to rivet every 4' on the perimeter. If you are installing a fire-rated system, you might need to rivet every member on the outside walls. Check the spec sheet that the manufacturer provides.You can buy those tools at commercial tile distributors. You can also purchase additional parts for them. blue
*I agree with blue. Once you get over about 35' of main tee installed it is a good idea to have the end pop riveted to the wall angle. The same reasoning holds true the longer the "drop". Try popping out a piece of grid in the middle of a 150'x150' room without the tile in place and see what happens if the ends aren't anchored somewhere.The Whitney Jr. is the right tool, but I have noticed more ceiling guys using cordless drills lately.Dave
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I'm putting in a drop ceiling, and I'm trying to locate a "pop rivet punch" to install the rivets faster. Does anyone know where I can buy one? I've tried Home Depot, Sears Hardware, Woodworkers Warehouse and they don't know what I'm talking about. If anyone knows where I can Buy one I would appreciate the help. Also, How often should the grids be riveted? Thanks so much.
MT