Ed,
I don't know anything about this, so can't relate exactly. But - there
is piece of hard ware called a rivnut, as I recall, that goes in like a
pop rivit, but has a threaded center so a screw can be put into it after
installation. It's blind installation, meaning you don't need to get to
the back side to make the installation. It can be installed from one side.

I don't know if this helps the situation, but there it is.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com

On 7/14/2011 3:23 PM, ed donnen wrote:
> My DOKA bed has many 1/4" holes from when some Clever Charlie pop riveted
> the battens down to the bed.
> Now I want to fill the holes and make them flush with the bed before I make
> new battens of an original,
> and if I may say so, cunning design...   So, I don't want to weld- burns the
> paint on the back side I can't reach.
>   I tried JB Weld, but it is thin and drips through.  Remember, I can't
> always reach the underside so I can't just
> tape below and putty above.  I tried JB Weld because I may wish to
> drill/thread later on.  If I install pop rivets,
> and then grind them down, I have holes again.
> There must be a simple and elegant way.
> ed- holier than thou?
>
>