Pop rivet vs sheet metal screw

[BillTheHiker]

I ordered a Fleet shell and plan to install a countertop on driver's side. One end will be flush against the front corner. I plan to attach a 1x1 stringer to the wall using either pop rivets or screws. The countertop will sit on top, attached with wood screws through the stringer. All the forum threads I have read concerning attaching things to the aluminum walls refer to screwing into the aluminum studs.

Wouldn't pop rivets be better than screws?

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

In my opinion, you would be better off using screws. They're easier to deal with if you have/want to change or repair something.

 

[nikonron]

I used screws on mine, no problem. Ron

 

[Squatch]

If you pop rivet use the larger 3/16" and use aluminum rivets. That will keep down any corrosion problems. I riveted a lot of pieces in my aluminum boat. No issues and that was 10 years ago.

 

[ntsqd]

If the 1X1 is aluminum and you can counter-bore it to use a short reach pop-rivet it will work. If the 1X1 is wood I'd use screws.

 

[Backroad Joe]

Aircraft are riveted together not screwed together. Nuff said.

 

[cwdtmmrs]

True, but not with pop rivets.

cwd

 

[BFH4N]

I have had success with pop rivets, but they're not infallible. They have to be the right length for the job or they won't tighten. And they aren't very good at pulling together gaps between pieces. With screws - even sheet metal screws - you have much better control of how tight your connections are. I think self-tapping screws are a much better choice for what you are planning. The drill-point type make it easy.

Can you even get pop rivets long enough to go through a 3/4" piece of wood and a 3/32" aluminum frame member?

- Bernard

 

[BillTheHiker]

Sounds like I better stick with screws: that's what most seem to be using and we know they work.

BTW, just found out that FWC cannot provide a single piece of countertop that is long enough because they provide only five foot lengths. Home Depot sad they can build a custom one with the identical Formica pattern FWC is using.