---
title: Drilling Out Rivets and Locating Holes
description: Removing a rivet cleanly is a skill. Here's the technique that avoids enlarging holes or damaging structure.
---
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October 5, 2026
# Drilling Out Rivets and Locating Holes
## How to remove a rivet without enlarging the hole, and how to locate match-drilled holes
### Removing a rivet
Drilling out rivets is both an art and a science, and poor technique causes more damage. Center-punch the manufactured head, drill with a bit matched to the rivet diameter, drill only to the depth of the head, then snap or drift the head off and punch the shank out. Avoid enlarging the hole or touching the adjacent structure. Practice on scrap before working on the airframe.
### Locating holes
To locate match-drilled holes accurately, use a spot drill, a small drill bit, or a prick or automatic center punch. Make matched parts identical and add shims later only if needed.
### Small repairs
For a pulled or damaged rivet location, drill it out, flatten the area with a hand seamer, fabricate a small .025 to .032 inch doubler, add two extra rivet locations, and continue. Tank sealant under the doubler adds strength and seals the joint.
*Source: Van's Builder Technical Support reference material.*
### Van's Tech Q&A: Rivet Removal Tricks and Techniques (video)
*Copied from Van's Aircraft Tech Q&A on 2026-10-01. Source: [Rivet Removal Tricks and Techniques (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpkmGbYOCOk).*
[Watch on YouTube: Rivet Removal Tricks and Techniques (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpkmGbYOCOk)
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