Rivets vs threaded fasteners

[FrankJ]

This is starting to sound like a what is the best oil for your car debate.

We have gone from all bolts to a mix bolts & rivets. Since we switched to rectangular tube for out chassis, it is almost completely riveted. As Kevin mentions it avoids a difficult to design bolted joint in the tube.

While rivets might when a disassemble - assemble race under controlled circumstances, I think the general case goes to bolts. For an example try talking a formula one team into riveting their wheels on.

For less than ideal fit up & tension applications, the superior clamping force of a bolt gives it the advatage. For pure shear applications, a properly done rivet design is hard to beat. Every rivet has a recommended hole size. Google is your friend.