Wooden ladder bolts. How to take them apart?

[gizmo1990]

Hi everyone. This is woodworking related so I hope it's ok placing this thread here.

I'm in the process of sanding down and tidying up an old decorators step ladder. It's all dry joints and screws so it's fairly straight forward.

However, the hinging mechanic is secured via 6 bolts. These appear to be riveted together , so cannot be taken apart. At least, that's what I suspect.. I thought I'd post here to see if there's a way to release these without destroying them? Perhaps they're meant to be taken apart via some way I'm not aware of?



Any help greatly appreciated.

 

[blup]

As you say riveted, best leave in place and work around them.

Blup

 

[Burnerman]

If you really want to shift them, take the riveted head off with an angle grinder......maybe use a shouldered coach bolt as a replacement.
John

 

[gizmo1990]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I don't want to work around them as you'd just not get the same finish, plus there's a bit of a wobble with one, so I suspect it's slightly bent. So off they have to come! I'll replace with a mushroom head bolt and sleeve nut.

 

[foxhole]

If they wobble the hole will have enlarge with use, replacement may need to be slightly larger , lock with domed nut.