[rkn463]

Now to deal with the frame. I have to lose 18 inches. To shorten the frame I will remove the reinforcing plates and then shorten the frame then reinstall the plates. 34 rivets per side hold on the reinforcing plate on each side. This will take a while. I stopped by Northern Tool and picked up the biggest air hammer/chisel they had on the shelf. I used an angle grinder to x cut some rivet heads and then used the air chisel to knock the heads off. Then I switched over to the punch and tried to drive them out. Not happening! I finally figure out that by cutting the head off the rivet, drilling a 1/4 inch hole followed by a 6-step 1/2 inch step bit I can then drive out the remains with a hammer and punch. I've got the process down to 7 to 8 minutes per rivet. Here are photos of:

Before
x-cut
ground down (so I can see center) and center punched
1/4 drilled
1/2 drilled
rivets knocked out