by calden » Thu Sep 13, 2007 10:18 am
Thomas:
It's really easy to use a small chisel on a rivet head. Because the mast is curved, you can angle under the head and lift up the edge to get a good attack on it, all done hardly touching the aluminum of the mast. If you do it carefully, the worst you'll see is a tiny scratch or little mark that is hardly of significance. Besides, if you're putting on new fittings in the same place, those tiny marks would be covered up by the new rivet head.
Yeah, sounds like stainless. These other suggestions about lubricating sound great. Definitely buy a made-for-steel bit. It'll be a bit more expensive but think of the money you'll save from NOT burning out your drill.
Carlos
DS I #1653