“POP” Rivet tool- need a new one

[kabinenroller]

My swivel head pop rivet tool no longer works well, I am looking for a good replacement. The swivel head feature is nice, the handles are a good length for leverage so I would like something similar. There is no brand name on my current tool and I do not remember where I purchased it. I would prefer to stay away from the offerings at HF and Menards. Any suggestion?
Thank You!

 

[rlitman]

I don't install a lot of pop rivets (maybe a dozen a year), so I've been happy with my Marsen tool. If I actually installed enough to tire out my hands, I'd probably either be buying Astro's drill powered tool or something pneumatic (just because I'm a sucker for air tools).

 

[RTM]

Maybe check this recent thread? Was talking about heavier duty ones.

Pop Rivet gun

I bought some of these 3/16" multi grip pop rivets for a project I have... They seem to be a little too much for my 80's Craftsman gun.. I have use both hand and the pin gets stuck inside. :rolleyes: Anyone recommend a good handheld pop rivet gun. Thanks

www.garagejournal.com

 

[AdAstra]

Marson SP-1 or SP-2 (very minor update, adds rivet sizing gauge) seem like the gold standard for swivel heads in the US at least. I briefly used the Arrow equivalent (which is what McMaster-Carr sells alas) and it seemed worse in every way.

These give much better access than the heavy duty types discussed in the above thread.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I bought two ASTRO PNEUMATIC pop guns. The price is right. This way I do not have to change parts when I change rivet size.
I have MARSON in several rivet sizes and two Marson Riv Nut pliers. They all work really well.
I bought an ARROW swivel hear pop rivet plier. The handle snapped on the first try.

 

[bwringer]

With a pneumatic tool, you will wander around looking for excuses to pop rivet stuff. So much fun... Expensive for the top brands, though.

By hand, see above... the Marson tools are quite reasonably priced.

 

[Steve_P]

I have a Marson. They haven't been made in the US for quite a while, but the quality is still there, at least on the one I bought 10-15 years ago.

 

[Nutria]

Did anyone mention Marson?

 

[tarmy]

I bought the M12 Milwaukee version and it is great, expensive but easy to use and fast.

 

[danski0224]

Did anyone mention Marson?

I was just going to mention Marson, but maybe I don't have to...

 

[kmacht]

Stanley makes a swivel head. For pneumatic the one harbor freight sells works great. I built a full size airplane (sonex) that used over 10,000 pop rivets. The Stanley swivel head and harbor freight pneumatic gun pulled every one of those rivets and both are still in my drawer of tools today.

 

[Wamsutta]

With a pneumatic tool, you will wander around looking for excuses to pop rivet stuff. So much fun... Expensive for the top brands, though.

By hand, see above... the Marson tools are quite reasonably priced.

The sound they make is fantastic too.

 

[The Cobbler]

The sound they make is fantastic too

yeah, sort of like pfft ... bfft

 

[bb29510]

it really doesnt matter. lowes, hd, ace. hf, they all decent, just pay what you want. i got a cheapy i got in 83 and it still works

 

[MoonRise]

Check out the choices from Astro Pneumatic www.astrotools.com . They make/sell more than just pneumatic tools. They do have a presence at Amazon. And they have a presence here on GJ too.

They have hand powered ones (short handled ones, longer handled ones, two-hand ones, they even list a swivel head one), drill powered ones, and air powered ones.

Or did anyone mention Marson?

 

[danski0224]

Or did anyone mention Marson?

I don't think so, at least not yet....

 

[jives]

As an FYI, my Stanley finally broke last year after 30 years or so. Needed to finish a quick 'n easy job, went to HF for the cheapest one, it broke on the first rivet.