This variety serves best when you’re working outside. It’s also convenient since you just have to push a button to install the rivet. It offers portability since, like a hand or lever rivet gun, you can carry it anywhere. Lever rivet guns make larger projects easier to complete, but they’re often bigger and more expensive than hand rivet guns. This variety gets its name from the levers it has on either side, which simultaneously increase the leverage it provides during rivet installation and decrease the amount of physical strength needed to use it. However, these guns will strain your hands, wrists and forearms so they’re not the best option when you have lots of riveting to do. Hand rivet guns also tend to be cheaper than other gun types. These rivet guns are usually small, so they fit in tight or narrow spaces.

Hand Rivet GunsĪs the name suggests, your hand does most of the work with this variety since you squeeze on the handle to install the rivet.

Every rivet gun you consider will fall under one of these categories. There are several types of rivet guns available, each with its own set of pros and cons which make them suitable for different kinds of jobs.

If you’ve never used a rivet gun before and want a quick breakdown of how the process works, we cover that in our How Do I Use a Rivet Gun full guide to riveting below. You’re left with a nice, smooth finish on the visible side. Once the rivet is installed, the rivet gun breaks the mandrel off. The mandrel runs through the inside of the body and the rivet gun pulls it out while keeping the hat pressed against the surface.Īs the mandrel is pulled out, the body deforms and compacts, which attaches the rivet to the surface. A washer-shaped piece sits between them and is referred to as the hat. The blind rivet has two parts: the mandrel, which is the long, thin portion that’s inserted into the rivet gun and the body, which is the wider, shorter portion that goes through the hole you want to put the rivet in. Blind rivets have their name because they’re often used when you can’t see or get to the other side of the surface you’re attaching them to. Blind rivets, sometimes referred to as POP rivets, are one of the most common rivet types. How Rivets Workīefore we take a look at the ten best rivet guns on the market today, let’s briefly discuss how rivets work and review some key terms we’ll be using in this guide. Some options won’t be suitable for your needs while others might be overkill. Which rivet gun you should buy depends on where and how often you intend to use it. Rivets are widely used on projects ranging from home maintenance to aircraft assembly. How Do I Remove a Rivet If I Make a Mistake?įactors to Consider Before Purchasing a Rivet GunĪ rivet gun is a tool used to secure a rivet, which is a type of metal fastener, into a joint.How Often Do I Need to Oil My Rivet Gun?.What Safety Precautions Should I Take When Using a Rivet Gun?.When Should I Use a Rivet Instead of a Screw?.What Kind of Project Are You Attempting and Where Are You Doing It?.Best Portable Rivet Gun: Milwaukee Electric Tools 2550-20 M12 Best Large Rivet Gun: Dorman 743-100 Hand Rivet Gun Easiest Rivet Gun to Use: TACKLIFE 14” Auto Pumping Rod Rivet Nut Tool Best Hand Rivet Gun Set: Rivet Gun With 100-Piece Rivets Best Hand Rivet Gun: Marson 39000 HP-2 Professional Hand Riveter Best Lever Rivet Gun Set: REXBETI 14” Rivet Nut Tool Best Lever Rivet Gun: Astro Pneumatic Tool 1442 Best Budget Rivet Gun: Astro Pneumatic Tool 1423 Best Premium Rivet Gun: Astro Pneumatic Tool PR14 Air Riveter Best Overall Rivet Gun: WETOLS 14” Hand Rivet Nut Tool Factors to Consider Before Purchasing a Rivet Gun.

Metric rivet nut gun