Need a Good Pop Rivet Tool

g.hayduke

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Hey guys and gals,

I am in the process of repacking some motorcycle mufflers and my cheap old pop rivet tool just can't seem to pull the SS rivets to get them back together.

I would like to find something in the $50 - $75 range if there are any decent options. Most of ones I've looked at have enough negative reviews to make me doubt their durability.

Anybody have a gun you like that you've really used hard with success?

Thanks!
 
If 3/16” rivets are something you set regularly you might consider a much larger tool.
I bought this unit recently when I needed to set 1/4” rivets.

Tool Aid S&G 19800 1/4" Super Duty Riveter https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VUJGM2/?tag=wranglerorg-20

I haven’t used the tool a lot but it has worked well. It easily sets 3/16 rivets as well as 1/4”.
 
If you have access to both sides of the metal, consider using solid rivets.

I used to repair aluminum canoes (as well as other kinds) and have a decent amount of experience riveting.

The solid rivets are stronger, cheaper, and prettier than blind rivets, and are watertight without any sealant.

We used 3/16" rivets, a set of bucking bars, and a 4X rivet gun (basically a glorified air hammer), and with a pair of lightly experienced people drive 6 rivets a minute or faster. It can be done with just one person when said person can reach both sides of the rivet at the same time
 
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Thanks for the suggestions.

I ended up getting this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00061SFDM/?tag=wranglerorg-20

It made short work of the rivets my old tool couldn't handle. I don't do a lot of riveting so I'm hoping this will do what I need for the next 10 or 20 years. As mentioned in my original post, I was repacking motorcycle mufflers. So no way to access both sides since 1 side is inside the can.
 
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I bought a Harbor Freight air rivet gun for building/repairing snow mobiles , used often with stainless 3/16s
comes with extra jaws and parts too.
https://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-air-hydraulic-riveter-61482.html

I have that riveter too and, among other things, it's been very good for fastening 1/8" think aluminum panels to a few trailers that I've built. There better industrial units like it but for the money, they are great for the needs of most hobbiests.