KITPLANES editor at large Paul Dye continues our Metal Magic series with a look at how to properly remove bad or damaged rivets. Hint: You’ll probably do this a lot over the course of an airplane project, so it’s worth practicing before you need to extract bad universal-head or countersunk rivets in anger.
This series is sponsored by Aircraft Spruce & Specialty.









![Learning How to Drag Your Tail Ten hours of dual instruction in a tailwheel-equipped aircraft is usually required for proficiency. [Credit: AdobeStock]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/AdobeStock_354747155.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1)

