Let's talk Riv Nut guns

[330Scott]

Maybe I didn't spell riv nut correctly, but those of you who use them know what I mean.

I use a few different sized pneumatic riv nut guns at work and have been thinking about buying one for myself. Then I see an ad in the current Eastwood catalog for a basic hand held kit for around $75. Hmmm, not a bad price and will accept 5 different sizes of rivet nuts. And it is Christmas time.

So does anyone own this Eastwood kit and if so, do you like it? Or do you own some other riv nut gun/kit? If so, I would like to hear about yours also. How about supplies - where do you purchase your riv nuts?

I would think that for occasional use, a non-pneumatic gun would probably be just fine. But I would not like dropping the coin and then finding out that non-pneumatic guns are basically worthless.

So let's hear what you have to say on the topic of riv nut guns.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[toxicz28]

I have it, and think it's great!

 

[Ign]

http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/ap1440.html

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002T5SQ0/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[leadsled01]

I bought the kit from Jegs, $120 after shipping. I like it. I can order more nuts from the factory.

 

[330Scott]

Thanks, ToxicZ. I have a couple of questions re: the Eastwood kit. What do you do if you break or damage a part such as a mandrel? Was there a replacement parts order form that came with the kit? If so, can you also order additional sizes of mandrels/nose pieces?

Ign (what does that mean, anyway?), thanks for the links. I have looked into them some and will dig a little deeper before I buy.

Leadslead, glad you like your Jegs kit. I like that it can go two sizes larger than what the Eastwood kit advertises. Will it work with the 5/16" & 3/8" mandrels even though it doesn't include their nose pieces in the kit?

I appreciate the info guys, Scott.

 

[HighOctane]

My dad has one and we constantly use it for putting new sheet metal on the race car. It works amazing considering it was a re-furbished one.

And I think most people call them rivet guns, but im sure everyone has there way f saying things.

I'm sure if you contacted eastwood they would be able to get you some replacment parts.

 

[Rickster]

Yup, rivet gun or pop rivet gun. I believe a riv-nut is a threaded rivet, like they use to hold water bottle cages on mountain bikes. As noted by the other posters that model looks pretty much like the others. Even looks like the one I purchased 25 years ago, a Marson. Found one here: http://toolrage.com/prodView.asp?idproduct=1354

 

[JohnZ]

Most times when I need a Rivnut, it's to repair a stripped-out hole in a frame that originally accepted a 5/16" or 3/8" self-tapping screw (Corvette spare tire tubs, gas/brake line clips, etc.). I just use an allen head capscrew, an AN flat washer, and some Lubriplate, and drive it with a hex bit in a 3/8" impact.

I lube up both sides of the AN washer, thread the capscrew about halfway into the ALUMINUM rivnut, put the rivnut in the hole, hold the O.D. of the flange on the Rivnut with Channellocks, put the bit in the screw, and pull the trigger; the impact spins it up instantly, and when it seats it pulls the end of the rivnut and clinches it immediately. Then I remove the screw and I'm ready to assemble the item, and it's a permanent repair that can be disassembled/assembled repeatedly with no problem. This doesn't work very well with STEEL rivnuts - I only use aluminum.