Buck rivet gun question.

[crazycuda]

Ok I have been looking at the vintage trailer supply buck rivet kit and questioning if the 149.99 air hammer is any better than let’s say the Eastwood rivet hammer for 40% less. Just trying to save where I can as I already have a ton of Clecos so I really don’t need the ones in the kit.

[Aerowood]

First off there is a huge difference between an air hammer and a rivet gun. An air hammer will not be as controllable and the stroke is different between the two. An air hammer will just basically beat the *h*t out out of the Rivets while the rivet gun will upset the rivet shank into a nice buck tail

[crazycuda]

The Eastwood one is listed as a pneumatic rivet tool with variable trigger

[steve46]

I cannot comment on the Eastwood tool, however I purchased the VTS kit and it worked very well for me. When I knew I was done buck riveting, I sold the rivet gun on AirForums, along with the remaining rivets—the tool was like new and I think the buyer and seller were both happy. I actually found the process of buck riveting to be almost “fun” and quite satisfying. I did keep all of the Clecos as they are very useful for putting things back together inside the trailer if you’re doing a rebuild.

[guskmg]

Another rivet tool useful hint: use the bucking part that looks like a cup on the end to pop rivet heads off rather than drilling them out. Lots faster.
guskmg