Due to the great versatility of riveting, it is worth saying a little more about this technique. In the new article, we explain how it works and list the most important types of rivets and riveters designed for them. We also suggest how to use these tools correctly.
Rivets are one of the most important types of connections. They have been used on a large scale since the 19th century. It was then that the first large steel structures were built, including the famous Eiffel Tower. However, riveting is a truly versatile technology, and its range of applications is not limited to construction. Rivets are used in transport, tank construction, leatherworking, the bicycle industry, and many other industries. They are also commonly found in amateur DIY.
Check out the riveters and rivets at the Onninen wholesaler
How does a riveter work?
In the nearly 200 years that have passed since the first rivets were developed, many types have been created. In the original, now less common version, a rivet has the form of a metal rod of relatively short length. It is finished on two sides – on one side with a fixed head, and on the other – with a capped rivet. Currently, the most widely used are blind rivets. They consist of two elements:
sleeves in the form of a tube with a mushroom-shaped head:
a nail (pin) terminated with a thickening with a diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the sleeve.
Riveting with blind rivets involves pulling a nail through a sleeve with great force. To generate this force, it is necessary to use a riveter. As a result of the forces acting on the sleeve, it swells and the nail breaks. The finished connection gains stability thanks to the bilateral pressure on the connected elements. On one side, it is exerted by the head of the sleeve, and on the other - by the resulting swelling.
Types of riveters and rivets
A riveter is a tool that comes in three basic versions. In terms of drive type, we can distinguish manual, pneumatic, and electric (battery) models. Due to their low price and good availability, the former are more common. Their use is also supported by their low weight and handiness, making it easy to carry in the pocket of work trousers or on a tool belt.
Electric riveters are primarily used by professional assemblers and other specialists who perform dozens or even hundreds of rivet joints per day. Their undoubted advantage is their work efficiency, but the battery increases their weight, which in some cases makes transport difficult. Pneumatic models are designed for stationary use - primarily on assembly lines equipped with compressed air installations.
In addition, riveters are divided according to their purpose – specifically, the type of rivets they handle. These come in many variants, differing in structure and, consequently, properties and purpose. These are:
rivets Standard for versatile use and available in versions made of various types of steel;
open rivets : they are quite cheap, but their low strength allows them to be used only in places that are not very heavily loaded;
closed rivets : with a construction that does not cause the nail to break, valued for its greater than standard water resistance;
sealed rivets : fully waterproof, used in structures exposed to constant contact with moisture;
forked rivets : designed for joining elements made of soft materials such as plastic, wood or leather;
expanding rivets : they are characterized by high pressure force and resistance to stretching;
countersunk rivets : used when the rivet cannot protrude beyond the surface of the component;
grooved rivets for blind holes.
How to use a riveter?
The riveting technique depends on several factors – first and foremost the type of riveter and the rivets themselves. Since hand riveters and standard, break rivets are most commonly used, we will focus on them in our article. The first step in making a riveted joint is to drill holes and insert a rivet through them. This should be grasped with the riveter and then pulled vigorously several times. After the sleeve has swollen and the mandrel has broken, the joint is ready.
For the stability of the connection, it is not only the selection of the right solution that is important, but also the quality of the rivets and the riveter. Being aware of this, in the Onninen shop we offer only the best rivets and tools from recognized manufacturers - e.g. Riveter Fxa, (model 501810050 with 40 rivets) or Riveter Haupa (model 210776 for rivets from 2.4 to 5 millimeters in size) and Modeco Home. Our employees also provide professional assistance in selecting the optimal solutions.