that's why i stand in a bucket of water when i fix my machines

i replaced a few balls on a BaB not to long ago and used the rivets without any problem
you have to take care, those replacement balls break pretty easy
i did once tap the rivet hole and just screwed the new ball on to the arm no nut. i did use locktite on the screw.

ken i think it was a #5 screw, but can not be sure. i do know the tap was just a tad larger than the rivet hole and cut a nice thread. once i put a little loctite on it i doubt it was not coming off without a screw driver. i made a rivet tool after that so the next set i did was with the rivets. it was a bit tricky buy worked. if i had to do them again i would be tempted to try the tap/screw method first

yes