We have a patio umbrella that has a winch you turn to open and close. The line that runs from the winch to the umbrella broke, and unfortunately a child kept turning it until the ends were inside the shaft.

Trying to take it apart, I realized that things are held together with rivets, not screws. I want to remove some to get an endcap off, so I can access the mechanism inside and (hopefully) put in a new line.

Suggestions on removing these rivets?

  • DahGangalangEnglish
    2·
    6 months ago

    Not sure your specific configuration (and thus limitations for tools and such), but I’ve had a good experience taking a tiny punch and hammering a small river in the middle (to give the drill bit some amount of purchase to start), then drilling out the rivet.

    Hope that’s helpful!

    • Bryan FordhamOPEnglish
      2·
      6 months ago

      Yep, was helpful, thanks! I had to drill out a rivet on each side, but got it apart after that easily enough. And now I can get to what I need to.