How to Use a Manual Pop Rivet Gun

Using a manual pop rivet gun is a straightforward process for joining two or more materials together securely with a rivet.

A manual pop rivet gun is a hand-held tool used to install blind rivets. These rivets are ideal for situations where you can only access one side of the materials being joined. The gun works by pulling the rivet's mandrel through the body, deforming the tail end of the rivet and creating a strong joint, before snapping off the mandrel.

What You Need

Before you start, gather your materials:

• Manual Pop Rivet Gun: Ensure it's the correct size for your rivets.
• Pop Rivets: Choose the appropriate diameter and length for your materials.
• Drill and Drill Bit: The drill bit should match the diameter of the rivet you plan to use.
• Materials to be Joined: The pieces you want to fasten.
• Safety Glasses: Always wear eye protection.

Step-by-Step Guide

Here's how to use a manual pop rivet gun effectively:

1. Prepare the Materials:

   • Align the materials you want to join.
   • Use a clamp or other method to hold them firmly in place so they don't shift.
   • Using the drill bit matching your rivet's diameter, drill a hole through all the layers of material at the desired location for the rivet. Ensure the hole is straight and clean.

2. Select the Correct Rivet:

   • Choose a rivet with the correct diameter to fit snugly into the drilled hole.
   • Select a rivet length that is sufficient to pass through all layers of material and allow enough length for the rivet tail to deform properly on the blind side.

3. Insert the Rivet into the Gun:

   • Open the handles of the rivet gun completely.
   • Insert the mandrel (the stem part) of the rivet into the nosepiece of the rivet gun. The body of the rivet should rest against the gun's head.

4. Place the Rivet in the Hole:

   • Push the rivet that is now in the gun's nosepiece through the prepared hole in your materials until the rivet body is flush against the surface of the material.

5. Set the Rivet:

   • Grip the handles of the rivet gun firmly.
   • Begin to squeeze the handles together. This action pulls the mandrel through the rivet body, causing the blind end (the side you can't see) to expand and form a secure tail against the material.
   • According to the video reference, you may need to repeat the squeezing action: "So push down and I'm going to let up. I'm going to push down. Again. There we go that's. It now this is the piece that's discarded. And there we go there's our rivet." Continue squeezing and releasing the handles until the mandrel snaps off with an audible pop. This indicates the rivet is properly set.

6. Discard the Mandrel:

   • Once the mandrel has snapped off, open the rivet gun handles. The broken-off mandrel piece should fall out of the back or front of the gun, depending on its design. This is the discarded piece mentioned in the reference.

7. Check the Joint:

   • Inspect the installed rivet to ensure it is flush against the material and the joint is secure.

Repeat these steps for any additional rivets needed to complete your fastening job.