I have a Rivet Tool Conundrum

[Colin Len]

I've used pop rivets on occasion for almost 20yrs now but am realizing I don't know a darn thing about them and before I waste anymore time or money I wanted to see about getting some help from y'all.

The Project: I had to fix the fuel door on my Toyota Tacoma which involved removing the door which is riveted on rather than bolted on.

The Problem: I ordered the OEM rivets for re-installation but my pop-rivet tool wouldn't fit the rivets which are fairly large. I measured the rivet shank to be 3/16". After some research I picked up a USA made Marson HP-2 from a local pawn shop rather than spend more for a new foreign version off Amazon. Upon getting it home it also wouldn't accommodate my rivets. I thought maybe the kit was missing some parts so I order a 3/16" nosepiece from Toro. Get that home and it doesn't fit either.

Then I come to the realization (correct me if I'm wrong) that the nosepiece size does not represent the rivet shank size but instead the actual rivet diameter - DOH! The rivets I have measure out to 1/4" diameter, so I guess I need a 1/4" rivet nosepiece not 3/16. But, looks like my tool won't accommodate one that large.

Which means I guess I need an entirely different tool now Does anyone have any suggestions on an affordable tool I could buy for this. Pretty much everything I'm finding is an expensive pneumatic tool. Normally I try to use situations like this as an excuse to buy a tool but I already did that and I think it's very unlikely I'll need a 1/4" rivet tool often or perhaps ever again so it doesn't seem wise to buy something nice and expensive. Any suggestions?

 

[Sweetcorn]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039697ME/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this for a similar situation and it's actually quite a bit nicer than I expected. Much nicer than the standard single hand rivet tools I've gone through a few of over the years.

 

[blackdak8]

I've used this one on window regulator rivet a few times. Works great and feels fairly durable.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-IN-1-Hand-Rivet-Pop-Riveter-Gun-1-8-5-32-3-16-7-32-1-4-Sizes-Heavy-Duty/331589708682

 

[Dumber than lumber]

I like the ones with a swivel nose.

 

[DevinJ]

If you have more than about two 1/4" rivets to put in I would get an Astro air powered riveter. Its a bit more expensive, but it is very nice. It will do all the other sizes also.

I have one and use it quite a bit.

https://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-Tool-PR14-Riveter/dp/B000MQ9H4W

 

[rlitman]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039697ME/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this for a similar situation and it's actually quite a bit nicer than I expected. Much nicer than the standard single hand rivet tools I've gone through a few of over the years.

Something like this is what you want. A one-handed tool isn't going to pull 1/4" rivets, and is iffy on 3/16" rivets as well. This is where the two-handed tool wins.

If you're doing a whole lot, there are plenty of better options, but for just a handful, it's not worth it.

 

[Colin Len]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039697ME/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I bought this for a similar situation and it's actually quite a bit nicer than I expected. Much nicer than the standard single hand rivet tools I've gone through a few of over the years.

Looks like this is going to be my best option- thank you!

I've used this one on window regulator rivet a few times. Works great and feels fairly durable.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/5-IN-1-Hand-Rivet-Pop-Riveter-Gun-1-8-5-32-3-16-7-32-1-4-Sizes-Heavy-Duty/331589708682

Thanks, looks basically the same as that Astro. May as well spend a couple extra bucks to get the Astro plus I can get it sooner buying on Amazon (and better return policy too).

If you have more than about two 1/4" rivets to put in I would get an Astro air powered riveter. Its a bit more expensive, but it is very nice. It will do all the other sizes also.

I have one and use it quite a bit.

https://www.amazon.com/Astro-Pneumatic-Tool-PR14-Riveter/dp/B000MQ9H4W

I have exactly 2 rivets to install, haha! Those pneumatic ones look nice but I just don't see a need for it in my garage.

Something like this is what you want. A one-handed tool isn't going to pull 1/4" rivets, and is iffy on 3/16" rivets as well. This is where the two-handed tool wins.

If you're doing a whole lot, there are plenty of better options, but for just a handful, it's not worth it.

Definitely makes sense. I had worried originally that these OEM rivets may be something fancy or something a normal rivet gun couldn't handle. I guess I was sorta right.

 

[Mr.Smoke]

The only rivet guns I really use are Avdel brand ($1,000+) ones and another pneumatic kind by CP that was cheaper, but still pricey. We pull thousands of rivets per month though lol.

Pulling ¼" rivets with hand tools would get annoying pretty quick, but for just a few you'll be fine with a decent 2 hand manual riveter.

 

[Colin Len]

Update: I bought the Astro and it did exactly what I needed. I was originally worried that since I was working in the "pocket" in the bedside where the fuel door mounts that there wouldn't be enough room for the arms of the tool to operate. But, luckily there was just barely enough room and it worked great.

 

[macgee]

Update: I bought the Astro and it did exactly what I needed. I was originally worried that since I was working in the "pocket" in the bedside where the fuel door mounts that there wouldn't be enough room for the arms of the tool to operate. But, luckily there was just barely enough room and it worked great.

Awesome, I was going to chime in agreeing about the Astro but was concerned about having the room as they really do like their elbow room. Glad it worked out and now you need to come up with new projects to use the Astro more often

 

[Sweetcorn]

Update: I bought the Astro and it did exactly what I needed. I was originally worried that since I was working in the "pocket" in the bedside where the fuel door mounts that there wouldn't be enough room for the arms of the tool to operate. But, luckily there was just barely enough room and it worked great.

Awesome!

 

[Mr_fixit]

nuts and bolts work too.

 

[Colin Len]

Awesome, I was going to chime in agreeing about the Astro but was concerned about having the room as they really do like their elbow room. Glad it worked out and now you need to come up with new projects to use the Astro more often

Yeah, that style of tool was what worried me but glad it worked out and I didn't have to buy a pneumatic one, lol And yeah, definitely time to start using rivets more!

Awesome!

Thanks for your recommendation!

nuts and bolts work too.

Yeah, but that's not really my style. It would have been a pain to install nuts/bolts in this location. But mainly I just hate using non-OEM stuff. If I bought a truck and someone had bolted the gas door back on instead of using the correct part I'd be peeved and would have fixed it with OEM parts. Yup, I'm that guy.

 

[finn]

I bought the Astro several years ago to do the door rivets Ford used.

No regrets. It paid for itself..