Category: Rivets

Rivet Nut Gun

A rivet nut gun, sometimes known as a rivet nut tool or a threaded insert tool, is a specialized tool designed for installing rivet nuts (also known as blind rivet nuts or threaded inserts). Rivet nuts provide a threaded hole in a thin material or in places where access to the back of the panel is limited.

Here are some key aspects of a rivet nut gun:

1.Function: A rivet nut gun is used to insert the rivet nut into a pre-drilled hole in the material. The tool typically grips the internal threads of the rivet nut and applies a pulling force. This force causes the back end of the rivet nut to deform (flare out), creating a bulge that permanently fixes the nut in place, providing a durable threaded hole.

2.Types:

1.Manual Rivet Nut Guns: These require physical effort to squeeze handles or turn a mandrel, which pulls the rivet nut and causes it to expand. They are simple, portable, and do not require power sources.

2.Pneumatic or Hydraulic Rivet Nut Guns: These are powered tools that provide a more consistent installation with less manual effort. They are ideal for high-volume applications.

3.Applications: Rivet nut guns are commonly used in automotive, aerospace, electronics, and general manufacturing where it’s necessary to provide strong, threaded attachments to thin or hollow materials.

4.Advantages: The use of a rivet nut gun allows for the quick and reliable installation of rivet nuts, providing strong and reusable threaded anchors. They are particularly useful in situations where only one side of the workpiece is accessible.

5.Installation Process: The rivet nut is placed onto the nosepiece of the tool, inserted into the hole in the material, and then the tool is activated to pull the mandrel, deforming the back end of the nut. Once the nut is properly expanded and secured, the tool releases the nut, leaving a permanent, threaded insert in the material.

Rivet nut guns are essential for situations where threaded fastenings are needed in thin materials, or where traditional nut-and-bolt connections are impractical.

Solid Rivet

A solid rivet is a type of mechanical fastener consisting of a cylindrical shaft with a head on one end. It is one of the oldest and most reliable types of fasteners, used to join two or more pieces of material, typically metal.

Here are the key aspects of solid rivets:

1.Structure: A solid rivet typically has a straight shaft with a round or flat head on one end. The other end, known as the tail, is deformed during installation to form a second head, securing the materials in place.

2.Material: Solid rivets can be made from various materials, including steel, aluminum, copper, and brass, depending on the strength and corrosion resistance needed for the application.

3.Installation: To install a solid rivet, a hole is first drilled or punched through the materials to be joined. The rivet is then inserted, and the tail end is deformed using a hammer or a riveting tool (like a rivet gun or a pneumatic hammer). This process, known as “upsetting,” expands the tail to about 1.5 times its original diameter, clamping the materials together securely.

4.Uses: Solid rivets are used in applications where reliability and strength are critical, such as in structural steel construction, bridge building, aircraft manufacturing, and shipbuilding.

5.Advantages: They offer excellent strength and durability, making them ideal for heavy-load applications and structures exposed to high stress or vibrations. They also provide a smooth and clean appearance on the surface.

6.Limitations: The installation of solid rivets typically requires access to both sides of the assembled materials and can be labor-intensive, especially for large structures or where many rivets are needed.

Solid rivets are a proven, effective solution for permanently joining materials, especially in situations where strength and durability are paramount.

Rivet Gun

A rivet gun, also known as a riveter, is a tool used to drive rivets; these are fasteners used to join two or more pieces of material, typically metal or plastic. Rivet guns are used in a variety of construction, manufacturing, and repair applications.

Here are some key aspects of a rivet gun:

1.Function: The primary function of a rivet gun is to apply a force that deforms the rivet, expanding it to hold materials together. The tool typically works by pulling the rivet’s mandrel through the body of the rivet, causing the end of the rivet to flare out and grip the materials being joined.

2.Types:

1.Manual Rivet Guns: These are hand-operated tools, requiring physical force to squeeze the handles together to drive the rivet.

2.Pneumatic Rivet Guns: Powered by compressed air, these guns are more powerful and require less physical effort, making them suitable for heavy-duty or high-volume work.

3.Battery-Operated Rivet Guns: These provide the convenience of a pneumatic rivet gun but are portable and do not require an air compressor.

3.Rivet Types: Different rivet guns are designed to work with specific types of rivets, such as blind rivets (pop rivets), solid rivets, or structural rivets. The choice of rivet gun depends on the type of rivet being used and the application.

4.Applications: Rivet guns are used in various applications including aircraft construction, automotive assembly, building construction, and in many DIY projects.

5.Advantages: Rivet guns provide a quick and efficient way to join materials, creating strong and reliable joints. They are particularly useful in situations where welding is not possible or practical.

6.Safety: When using a rivet gun, it’s important to wear appropriate safety gear, like eye protection, as the process of riveting can create flying debris.

Rivet guns are essential tools in many industries, offering a durable and permanent solution for joining materials.

Rivet Nut

Rivet NutA rivet nut, also known as a blind rivet nut or a threaded insert, is a type of fastener that provides a threaded hole in materials that are too thin to be tapped (threaded) or in applications where only one side of the material is accessible for hardware installation. It’s a versatile and reliable solution for adding threads to thin or hollow materials.

Key characteristics and uses of rivet nuts include:

1.Design: Rivet nuts have a cylindrical shape with internal threads and a larger flanged head. They are inserted into pre-drilled holes in the material.

2.Installation: They are installed using a special tool that pulls the body of the nut up, causing the backside of the nut to flare and clamp against the back surface of the material. This action creates a firm and secure fit.

3.Materials: Rivet nuts are made from various materials like aluminum, steel, stainless steel, or brass to suit different environmental and mechanical requirements.

4.Applications: They are widely used in the automotive industry, aircraft manufacturing, electronics, and sheet metal work. Rivet nuts are ideal for applications where the material thickness does not allow for a standard tapped hole.

5.Advantages: They provide a strong thread in thin materials, allow for quick assembly, and do not require access to both sides of the material. They are also useful in situations where the material may be too brittle or soft for traditional tapped threads.

6.Types: There are various types of rivet nuts, including round, hexagonal, closed-end, and countersunk, each designed for specific applications and material types.

Rivet nuts are a practical solution for adding load-bearing threads to thin or hollow materials, where traditional nuts and bolts can’t be used.

Rivet Washer

A rivet washer is a small, flat component typically used in conjunction with a rivet to enhance the connection between the rivet and the materials being joined. Here are some key details about rivet washers:

1.Design and Material: Rivet washers are usually circular discs made of metal, although other materials can be used depending on the application. They have a central hole that is sized to fit snugly around the shank of a rivet.

2.Purpose: The primary purpose of a rivet washer is to distribute the load of the rivet over a larger area of the material being fastened. This helps prevent the rivet from pulling through the material, especially when the material is soft or thin.

3.Applications: Rivet washers are commonly used in situations where the material being riveted is fragile or prone to damage. They are particularly useful in sheet metal work, aircraft construction, and in any application where a strong, reliable joint is required without causing damage to the materials being joined.

4.Types of Rivets Used With: While they can be used with many types of rivets, rivet washers are most commonly associated with blind rivets (pop rivets) as they provide additional support and stability in situations where access to the back side of the workpiece is limited.

5.Installation: During installation, the washer is placed onto the rivet before the rivet is inserted into the pre-drilled hole. When the rivet is set, the washer stays in place between the rivet head and the material, providing extra support.

6.Variations: There are variations in size, material, and thickness to accommodate different rivet sizes and applications. The choice of washer depends on the specific requirements of the job, such as the type of material being joined and the expected load on the joint.

Rivet washers play a crucial role in many fastening applications, providing enhanced strength and stability to the riveted joint.

Tinner Rivet

A tinner’s rivet is a type of fastener that is traditionally used in the sheet metal trade, especially in tin-smithing. These rivets are typically made of soft metal such as tin or copper and are used to join together pieces of metal, such as those used in making ductwork, gutters, and other metal containers or structures.

The structure of a tinner’s rivet is simple:

•Head: One end of the rivet has a preformed head.

•Shank: The body of the rivet, which is a straight, cylindrical shaft.

•Tail: The opposite end from the head, which is deformed with a hammer or a rivet setter to create a second “head” after the rivet has been inserted through the two pieces of metal.

To use a tinner’s rivet, a hole is drilled or punched through the two pieces of metal to be joined. The rivet is then inserted, and the tail end is hammered or otherwise deformed to hold the pieces together. Because the metals used for these rivets are relatively soft, they can be installed without pre-heating and can be peened (flattened and spread) easily to create a tight joint.

Blind Rivet

A blind rivet, also known as a pop rivet, is a type of fastener designed for joining two or more materials together when access is only available from one side. It consists of a smooth cylindrical shaft with a head on one end and a mandrel through the center.

Here’s how it works:

1.The rivet is inserted into drilled holes in the materials to be joined.

2.A special tool pulls the mandrel through the body of the rivet, which expands the blind end of the rivet to create a second head on the backside of the materials, holding them together.

3.Once the blind end has expanded and the materials are tightly clamped, the mandrel snaps at a predetermined point.

4.The tool is removed, leaving the rivet permanently fixed.

Blind rivets are used in situations where it is impossible or impractical to use a bolt, screw, or standard rivet, which requires access to both sides of the materials. They are common in construction, manufacturing, and various DIY applications due to their ease of use and the strong, reliable joints they create.