Removing rivets

[Skeeter Lewis]

Sometimes the little buggers don't go in right and you've got no choice but to remove them. Easier said than done.
Any tips, compadres?

[St. George]

Depends on the rivet, but I usually drill out the center, and then they'll separate.

Scouts Out!

[Skeeter Lewis]

I've tried that but the rivet can rotate along with the drill bit and burn a larger hole.

[Grenadier]

Center punch it before drilling

[St. George]

I should have mentioned that I do this by hand - not with a power drill...

I 'do' center-punch it to give me the start point, then a twist drill is all I need.

I'm patient - plus, I'm only doing the one, so...

Scouts Out!

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Center punch rivet, then drill out on drill press, using appropriate drill bit for rivet being drilled, I drill through both sides and then pull rivet apart, it has always worked well for me without damage to my leather..

[dwight55]

My diagonal cutters ( dikes ) go in on the back side, . . . cut it, . . . pull out the other piece, . . . I'm done.

May God bless,
Dwight

[Slowhand Bob]

I grab the front/top across the edges with pliers and run a tight fitting drill bit in through the back.  They will generally pull apart and leave a neat hole, if I wasnt playing gorilla when I pounded them into the connection.  It is also very easy to scorch the leather if you are not careful or use a dull bit.