Ratcheting Pop Rivet Gun

[A&P mechanic]

Has anyone used a hand held ratcheting pop rivet gun? If so, who makes the gun and does it indeed require less effort than a traditional style pop rivet gun/non ratcheting? To give you a better illustration of what I am referring to, think of ratcheting PVC pipe cutters versus regular PVC pipe cutters.

A quick google search revealed vessel makes a ratcheting pop rivet gun in Japan. I called their U.S. office, however, the employee said Vessels pop rivet guns were dropped shipped from Japan and the employee could not confirm if it did indeed ratchet. I see Gesipa makes a type of ratcheting pop rivet gun as well. I have heard the ratcheting pop rivet guns are actually easier to pop rivets with if you plan on popping rivets daily, however, I have never used one first hand. I have two traditional style pop rivet guns but am interested in upgrading to a ratcheting pop rivet gun. One of the main reasons I am interested in upgrading my pop rivet gun is because I have a swivel head blue point made by Marson. I do not like the Marson at all because it takes two hands to hold each handle (since the handles are so far apart) when first starting to pop a rivet. I have also have an older USA made Richmond pop rivet gun, I prefer this one because you can fit one hand around both handles versus the Marson.

 

[kball]

Sorry I can't give input on a ratcheting gun. I feel your pain though. I hate trying to reach my fingers around the handles to do rivets and rivnuts are way worse. I got one of these for rivets and they are a breeze now. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00061SFDM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Manager at work just got one of these for the shop and it's fantastic! http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000MQ9H4W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mohawk Dave]

HK150i HYDRAULIC pistol is the way to go. Or...

Huck ak175

Marson big daddy

 

[Monte]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cOZyeaBYq4k" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[A&P mechanic]

Thanks for the information everyone. Kball I actually have a pneumatic rivet gun already but am looking into upgrading my handheld manual rivet gun in case I am outside or away from pneumatic air. Dave-that huck gun looks very durable and a Google search shows parts are available to overhaul the gun down the road. That may be the gun I get. Monte thank you for the video, you can even hear the ratcheting on the video. I am going to look into and read some additional reviews on the different guns. I will let you know which ratcheting pop rivet gun I get, thanks for all the useful information

 

[A&P mechanic]

Here is the review of the Malco two in one rivet gun I bought. Essentially, it is an average pop rivet gun, nothing special. I do like the fact that it is made in the U.S. Additionally, the two in one feature is just o.k. and I do not see myself ever using that feature again-with the short pull setting the rivet gun still takes the same amount of pulls as my other rivet guns. With the long pull setting, the handles go quite wide and you need two hands to pop a rivet. The reason I bought it is because I spoke to Malco’s tech department and was told it was ratcheting but it does not actually ratchet and is just a standard pop rivet gun. I will be keeping it though and replacing my old manual pop rivet gun. The one aspect I do like about the pop rivet gun is that the “nose” is small on the Malco but ultimately I would not buy it again because I feel the two in one feature is not useful and it costs more than other American made rivet guns.

I also looked into the Huck rivet gun. I called and spoke to Huck’s service department and was told “this is the easiest pop rivet gun to use by hand, however, it is not for everyday use and does not last that long”. I was also told this was for intermittent use and not to be used daily as the oil will eventually blow by the O-rings then the gun will not work. The service rep said Huck overhaul’s the handheld hydraulic guns for around $75 every year for various companies. The Huck service department said they are fantastic guns but just do not last very long. Have a good weekend everyone.