What is the best procedure to follow when removing a solid shank rivet?

The best procedure for removing a solid shank rivet involves drilling to the base of the rivet head with a smaller drill. This method ensures that you are carefully removing the rivet without damaging the surrounding material. By drilling to the base, you effectively weaken the rivet enough to make it easier to remove, giving you control over the process and minimizing the risk of harming adjacent structures.

Drilling to the base also allows for proper access to the rivet without creating unnecessary stress or potential fractures in the sheet metal or non-metallic structures surrounding the rivet. Once the head is sufficiently drilled down, the remaining part of the rivet can typically be pushed out or removed with minimal effort.

Other options may lead to more significant structural damage or compromise the integrity of the materials involved. For instance, cutting the rivet head with a saw might damage the surrounding components and does not provide a clean removal process. Drilling with a drill bit one size larger than the shank can lead to uneven removal and may cause further complications. Using a wrench to unscrew the rivet is not plausible, as solid shank rivets do not have threads and cannot be unscrewed like standard screws or bolts.