Best Rivet Gun – Hand Riveters, Pneumatic Air Pop Riveters, and Cordless Electric Rivet Guns for Metal and Plastic Rivets
You are here because you need a good rivet gun that will serve you well. We have done the hard work for you and bring you detailed research on some of the best rivet guns from five top brands. The rivet guns you will find in this review are samples of all the products offered by these brands. Check the companies' other products if the ones presented here do not cover your needs.
For our featured products, we went with manual hand riveters and pneumatic air rivet guns. However, we understand that some of you may be looking for an electric cordless rivet gun. We are in the process of putting together a review for our top choice (it’s leaning highly towards a Milwaukee rivet gun). But since we don’t want to make you wait, below is a sneak preview of the ones we are considering.
Additionally, we are also working on reviewing our favorite plastic rivet guns! We’ll give you a peak at our top choices a little further down.
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Related Reviews
What Is the Best Pop Rivet Gun on the Market? Read Our Rivet Gun Reviews!
If you read our buying guide below, you have gotten some vital information, and you now know what to look for in your rivet gun. Make a mental note of all the features that your job requires in a rivet gun, and then read this review. We believe that you will find a rivet gun, or maybe two, that will meet your requirements.
And as promised, here are the rivet guns for plastic rivets we are researching to pick our favorite. You can go ahead and check them out now though, if that's what you were looking for!
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Our Top Choice
The Marson HP2 Professional Riveter Kit with Vinyl Grips is an easy-to-use, high-power, aluminum-bodied gun. It has a fulcrum that curbs pin rotation and hole-elongation, and prevents tool failure. If you’re in search of an air rivet gun or hydraulic riveter, the
Marson 1\/4" Heavy Duty Air\/Hydraulic Riveter with a recommended air pressure of 70-95 PSI would do just fine.
Marson HP2 Professional Riveter Kit with Vinyl Grips - Manual Cordless Rivet Gun
Features
Marson offers a complete line of rivets and rivet nuts, and a variety of materials—manual and pneumatic installation tools for all kinds of jobs. The company offers an assortment of electric, hand, plastic, and pneumatic tooling. Its products provide efficient and cost-effective methods for replacing threads permanently in thin materials.
The Marson Hand Riveter Gun Kit works great with wet rivets and comes with rivets made from steel of sizes up to 5/32", and aluminum of sizes between 3/32" and 3/16”. Here are some more features you can look forward to in this rivet gun:
- Durable, high-power, and high-quality
- Sturdy and well-built
- Carbon steel upper handles
- Vinyl-padded lower handles for comfort and grip
- Has a high-power aluminum body
- Comes with a wrench
Best Value
The Tacklife Professional Rivet Gun with Ergonomic Handles and 5 Replaceable Nosepieces measures 13 inches long, and is easy to use. However, if you need more nosepieces and a longer gun to get into tighter spaces, the
Tacklife HHNP1A Rivet Gun Kit is worth a second look. It measures 4 inches and comes with 7 nosepieces and 35 rivets, so you don’t have to buy them separately.
Tacklife Professional Heavy Duty Hand Riveter with Ergonomic Handles and 5 Replaceable Nosepieces
Features
Tacklife bills itself as the future of tools, and it’s just about right, given the company boasts a rather large lineup of innovative products that includes hand tools, power tools, automotive tools, and home appliances. Why not see all that this brand has to offer?
The Tacklife Professional Rivet Gun measures 13 inches long, and showcases a great leverage design. It’s also fitted with a shorter handle complete with dual compound rings that prevent you from using great effort. Furthermore, it is easy to assemble and disassemble, and is equipped with a PVC container to store the broken-off mandrels. The package includes 5 replaceable nosepieces of various sizes including 1/10" (2.4mm) and 5/32" (4.0mm), a user manual, and most importantly, your warranty card to protect you against manufacturing defects.
The Chicago Pneumatic Tool Air Hydraulic Riveter with 4 Nosepieces is a rivet removal tool that is designed to pull up to a maximum of 2200 pounds. However, if you have stubborn rivets stuck halfway in the hole, your best help is the C
hicago Pneumatic Air Chisel Rivet Cutter.
Chicago Pneumatic Tool CP9882 Hydraulic Riveter - Air Rivet Gun with Variable Nose Pieces. Tools and Equipment
Features
Established in 1901, Chicago Pneumatic has garnered a stellar reputation ever since its inception and for several great reasons, most notably its vast range of superior-quality tools. Time, experience, and quality are all on this brand’s side, as you’ll quickly find out from looking at any of its quality products!
The Air Hydraulic Riveter by Chicago Pneumatic boasts a pulling capacity of a whopping 2200 pounds, and a compact footprint, making it a great choice for general maintenance tasks. It is equipped with a transparent container to collect rivet ends, and comes with nose pieces to suite several different sizes of rivets including 3/32" and 5/32". It is extremely lightweight at just 3.3 pounds, and is backed by a limited 1-year warranty. You can hardly go wrong when you choose this riveter!
The Astro Pneumatic Air Rivet Gun with a Selection of Nose Pieces contains five nosepieces, three of which are located at its base. It’s powerful, works at high speed, and its quick-returning cylinder ensures efficient operations. If you’re looking for a hand or manual tool, check out the
Astro Pneumatic Hand Riveter Kit with a spring and shorter handle. It maximizes leverage with its shorter handle and double compound hinges.
Astro Pneumatic Tool PR14 Air Riveter - Pneumatic Rivet Gun With Selection of Nosepieces, 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16" and 1/4" Capacity
Features
Astro Pneumatic is an importer of efficient power tools. It is dedicated to its customers and ensures that competent persons are always available to meet their repair needs, warranty complaints, and troubleshooting issues. Astro Pneumatic is owned by the Fisher family and has been in operation for over forty years. It has fast become a market leader in the sourcing, importation, and distribution of innovative tools.
The Astro Pneumatic Air Riveter is a five-pound gun with five nosepieces with dual calibration—in millimeters and inches. These nosepieces are 6.4 mm (1/4 inch), 4.8 mm (3/16 inch), 4 mm (5/32 inch), 3.2 mm (1/8 inch), and 2.4 mm (3/32 inch). The gun is durable and performs optimally at any angle.
This rivet gun is fitted with an overturn mechanism for accessing the three nosepieces at the base, and quick-release valves for fast return of the cylinder and speedy operations. This noiseless, solidly built, and easy-to-handle rivet gun can get into small, difficult-to-reach areas and is backed by a one-year warranty.
Astro Pneumatic has other rivet guns you may want to check out:
- Astro Pneumatic Tool PRN516 ONYX Pneumatic Rivet Nut Setting Gun with Quick-Change 1/4" & 5/16" Mandrels: Has forward and reverse actions for quick operation
- Astro Pneumatic 1426 1/4-Inch Heavy Duty Hand Riveter: Comes with extra-long handles that provide excellent leverage
- Astro Pneumatic 1423 13-Inch Heavy Duty Hand Riveter: The patented structure of this rivet gun increases power and reduces shock
The Dorman Rivet Gun with Long Handles, Storage Bottle & Rivets weighs in at 3.2 pounds, and is equipped with a container to collect the rivet ends. But if you’d like a lighter rivet gun albeit one that does not come fitted with a rivet end collection container, the
Dorman Help! 47999 Rivet Gun is probably an ideal choice.
Dorman Hand Riveter with Long Handles for Leverage - Manual Cordless Rivet Gun Comes with Storage Bottle and Rivets
Features
When shopping for high-quality tools, Dorman may be a name that crops up often and for several reasons. The company, founded in 1918, has grown to be one of the biggest names in the automotive and replacement parts space, and offers a large portfolio of products that includes fasteners, brake parts, and window regulators.
The Dorman Rivet Gun is designed to suit multiple rivet sizes and comes with 1 nosepiece. It features long handles (13.5 inches) that are pampered with plastic-coated grips, allowing you to work comfortably even across longer periods. The included storage bottle attaches to the handle of the rivet gun and stores all the rivet ends. This rivet gun tips the scales at just 3.2 pounds, making it easy to handle and tag along, and is backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
Best Riveter Guide – What to Look for in a Hand Riveter, Air Rivet Gun and an Electric Rivet Gun
Most people think that rivet guns are only needed in fabrication workshops or for big metal jobs. Let’s picture this. Have you ever broken the handle off your fryer at home, or your children’s toys, or your briefcase handle? If yes, how frustrating was it? Did you go looking for someone to fix it for you? If you'd have had a rivet gun at home, you could have picked it up and done the job yourself.
There are a lot of jobs that a rivet gun can help you do, both at home and in the workshop—this is a tool you’ll want to keep in your tool bag. Whether as a garden tool or a workshop tool, a rivet gun is a vital tool that you need to have. Jobs that an electric screwdriver would do may be similar to jobs done by a rivet gun. When you need to join thin pieces of metals, leather, or canvas where the other side of the material is not easily reachable, a rivet gun is your best option.
There are different types of rivet guns. There is the manual (hand-operated) rivet gun, and the pneumatic (air-powered) rivet gun. We will be classifying these rivet guns based on the speed of blows they deliver:
- Slow Hitting Guns – These are appropriate to be used on hard rivets because they deliver continuous blows to the rivet, provided the trigger is held down. They deliver an average of approximately 2,500 blows per minute. For inexperienced users, these are a better option, since they offer greater accuracy and better control than guns that deliver a single blow.
- Fast Hitting Guns – These guns strike multiple lightweight blows at a high rate ranging between 2,500 to 5,000 blows per minute. They're also known as vibrators, and are mostly used with softer rivets. They are more convenient for materials that require softer riveting, since the light blows do not cause a dent on the material.
- Squeeze Rivet Guns – These guns are used when working on edges, where you can access both sides of the item you are working on. They operate by using air pressure to provide a squeezing action, which compresses the rivet from both sides.
- Pop Rivet Guns – These operate on the same principle as the squeeze guns, except that they only compress the rivet from one side.
Now that you know the types of rivet guns and how they operate, you should have an idea of the type you want, bearing in mind the type of job(s) you need to do. Not getting the picture yet? Don’t worry, you will by the time we are done with this review.
If you’re planning to set up a work station at home where you can work with your rivet gun, it is advisable to pick a bench vise that will help you keep your work item in place while you use your rivet on it.
Video: Beginners Guide to Rivets
Introduction to Rivetting. | Courtesy of ScoutCrafter
Price
Different factors affect the price of any rivet gun, including material, production cost, and brand name. A pneumatic rivet gun needs more accessories than a manual rivet gun, so it is expected that the price of a pneumatic rivet gun will be higher than a manual one. This does not make the manual rivet gun inferior to the pneumatic one; it is only less expensive because of its mode of operation and required accessories.
Prices for rivet guns range from $4 for the low-end ones to $240 for the high-end ones. While researching for this review, we came across some cheap rivet guns that may not serve you for a long time. We ignored them and only included some inexpensive ones that are durable and offer excellent value for money.
Features
Whether you need your rivet gun for yard work or a workshop, whether you’re a hobbyist or a professional, there are features that any riveting job requires from a rivet gun. The rivet gun for repairs of auto body parts may not be the same as that which will work on a frying pan. We have picked some important features that should be considered when choosing the right rivet gun for your job. They include:
- Rivet Size: Look for rivet guns compatible with the rivet pins required for the job.
- Material: The material of the nozzle and body of your rivet gun should be put into consideration.
- Nose Pieces: Know the number of nose pieces your rivet gun has.
- Rotating Head: Is your rivet gun head rotatory or stationary?
- Operational Pressure: You need to know the pressure your pneumatic rivet gun works with.
- Portability and Mobility: You need to know if your job needs a mobile rivet gun.
- Accessories: What other accessories come with your rivet gun?
- Warranty: Find rivet guns with warranties and know what the warranties cover.
Construction and Design
There are a few major factors you should consider regarding the construction and design of your rivet gun. These include the material it’s made from, its portability and mobility, what (if any) accessories it comes with, and the details about its warranty. Let’s take a closer look at each of these.
Material
The material your rivet gun is made of gives you information on its durability and quality. For instance, rivet guns that are made of steel have a high probability of lasting very long and withstanding high work pressure.
Portability and Mobility
Unless you’re working on a ship or aircraft, you need to ensure your rivet gun is portable and mobile, because you'll lift it and move it around when working with it. Ensure you take this into consideration before making a purchase.
Accessories
Some rivet guns come with extra accessories such as wrenches, extra noses, or nail cups. Look for these accessories when buying your rivet gun, because they can come in handy. The nail cup, for instance, collects all your nails from the rivet so you can dispose of them afterwards, and this helps to keep your work space tidy.
Warranty
You may be wondering why warranty should be given close attention, but it helps you see how much confidence the manufacturer has in its product. Your warranty may cover the whole gun, or just a part like the nozzle. Be sure to take note of this, so that if any of the parts or the whole rivet gun goes bad, you know how to ask for a replacement.
Video: How to Use a Pop Rivet Gun
Using a Pop Rivet Gun/ Blind Rivet. | Courtesy of GardenMechanic
Performance and Ease of Use
To ensure that the rivet gun you buy will suit your needs and make your job easier, there are a few specific things to watch for. These are the rivet size, whether it has a rotating head, and its operational pressure. To give a better idea of what to look for from each of these, we’ve provided more info below.
Rivet Size
Ever heard of “a square peg in a round hole?” That is exactly what happens when you purchase a rivet gun with a pin size that’s bigger or smaller than the pin needed for your job. Always ensure that you have details regarding your pin size; that's how you find a gun with a nose size that fits the pin size.
Rotating Head
Sometimes, you have to do some rivet jobs at angles that are hardly reachable. In such situations, you need to use a rivet gun with a long and rotating head. These types of nozzles easily access these unreachable areas and will do the job with ease.
Operational Pressure
Pneumatic rivet guns work with air being pumped into the rivet pin. This is what “deforms” the pin head and becomes the rivet holding your job together. Know at what air pressure your pin can be deformed, and ensure that the rivet gun you are buying can operate at that air pressure. More pressure is needed for harder pins, such as steel, than for aluminum pins. Take note of this before making your purchase.
Get the Best Rivet Gun of 2021!
Now that you have made it through our guide and review, we hope you now have sufficient information to move you closer to making a purchase. Go ahead and do just that. If you are still in need of a little extra that you could not find here, check out the other options from the brands listed above.
Our Top Choice
Marson HP2 Professional Riveter Kit
Best Value
Tacklife Professional Pop Rivet Gun
Chicago Pneumatic Tool Air Hydraulic Rivet Gun
Astro Pneumatic Tool PR14 Air Rivet Gun
Dorman 743-100 Hand Rivet Gun
Rivet Gun FAQs
What is a rivet gun?
A rivet gun (rivet hammer or pneumatic hammer) is a tool for driving rivets into various items. It shoots rivet factory heads into the holes before a bucking bar completes the work. Check out our review on rivet guns for more details.
How to use a rivet gun?
If you want to use a rivet gun, you should start by drilling a standard twist hole, depending on the rivet type. Then attach a nozzle attachment tip basing on the size of the twist rivet. Slide the long side of the rivet into the gun nozzle leaving the shorter end exposed. Push the rivet through the materials you want to fasten and press the gun while holding it steadily. Squeeze the handle trigger on the gun until a pop sound goes. A pneumatic rivet gun works similarly but relies on air pressure to push the rivet into place.
How does a rivet gun work?
A rivet gun works in different ways, depending on whether it is pneumatic or manual. Pneumatic rivet guns work by the rivet body inserted in the gun’s firing end with an outward-facing mandrel. With the rivet inside the gun, a user inserts the mandrel into the hole. When the operator applies pressure on the trigger, the gun releases air pressure powering the rivet set and piston. The air to rivet gun comes from a hose connected to an air compressor. It is strong enough to lock the adjoining surfaces fastening the materials as intended.
