How to Hand Rivet
- 1). Figure out what size rivets you need for your job. Measure the thickness of the two pieces of metal you wish to join. The grip range (length of rivet head) of the rivet should be one-and-a-half times longer than the thickness of the rivet. That means if you are using a 1/4-inch thick rivet, you will need to add 3/8 inches to the thickness of the two pieces you are riveting together. (See Reference 1.)
Always use a rivet that is made out of the same material that you are fixing together. If you can't find an exact match, pick the rivet that is closest in material to your metal. Never use hard metal rivets on soft metal pieces. - 2). Place clamps 2 inches on either side of where you want to fix the rivet. Put on your safety glasses to protect yourself from flying bits of metal. Using a drill bit that is the same size as the rivet, drill a hole where the rivet will be placed. Using your metal file, gently file off any burs where the drill exited the metal.
- 3). Attach the correct size of nozzle to the hand riveter. The rivet grip shaft should be slightly smaller than the hole in the nozzle. Slide in a rivet and gently push the rivet into the hole that was just drilled. Squeeze the hand riveter gently until you start to feel pressure. Check that the head of the rivet is flat against the piece you are fixing together, and that the rivet is going in straight.
- 4). Squeeze the handles of the rivet gun to the fully closed position. Open the handles to their starting position gently, in a manner that does not bend or move the rivet. Push the gun down on the rivet and squeeze the handle again. You may need to repeat this process again until you hear a pop and the riveter comes free from the piece.
- 5). Turn the rivet gun upside down and open the squeeze levers fully to release the rivet shaft. Check to make sure the rivet is flat in the piece, and that both pieces are tightly held together. Remove the clamps and set up for putting in the next rivet. Install all your rivets the same way, by running through steps two to five.
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