a riviting topic

[William Donzelli]

> I've always wondered how the massive rivets on ships are put in, in particular
> how on earth they get them to also be watertight around the hole!

They are more-or-less forged into place. They are heated until they
are red, then hammered into place. The hammering action forms the
shape. A good rivetter was very valuable, as it was a artful skill,
being that he had a very short time to do a perfect job, hundreds of
times a day.

If you do not care what metal is being used, copper rivets are easy to
work with and form, using a ball peen hammer. And lots and lots of
light hits.

--
Will