Which Rivet Gun?

[Stefandmissy]

I have a cheap rivet gun and would like to upgrade to a good one. Is there such thing as a "middle of the road" model? I'm not sure that I need the "top of the line" one. Rivets----Where and how do I get the right assortment?

[aluminitus]

Are you looking for a pop rivet gun or a buck rivet gun?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Stefandmissy

I have a cheap rivet gun and would like to upgrade to a good one. Is there such thing as a "middle of the road" model? I'm not sure that I need the "top of the line" one. Rivets----Where and how do I get the right assortment?

There are not that many different size pop rivets that were used on your Airstream.

A decent pop rivet gun kit will come with several different nose pieces so that you can install different diameter rivets, including the Olympic rivets that are used on the outside.

Andy

[Bigventure]

For pop rivets I like the Stanley Pro sold a HD.

[Stefandmissy]

I am not familiar with a buck rivet gun. Can you tell me about them and their price range?

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Stefandmissy

I am not familiar with a buck rivet gun. Can you tell me about them and their price range?

Buck rivet guns can cost several hundreds of dollars.

You must also have a decent air compressor to power the gun.

Also, typically you must use 2 people when your buck riveting, one with the gun on the outside of the trailer, and the other with a bucking bar on the inside of the trailer.

Andy

[pmclemore]

Never heard of a buck rivet gun, either. But as far as which pop rivet gun to buy? My belief is that you should always buy the best tool you can afford. Where tools are concerned, cheaper is not usually as good a quality, and the more expensive ones will give longer and better service.

Pat

[Stefandmissy]

Andy, So what would one have to pay for the decent rivet gun plus rivets that you described?

[toastie]

The $129.00 one works great, bought mine on sale for $99.00

toastie

Aircraft Tool Supply | ATS ECONOMY RIVET GUN | 2602A

Aircraft Tool Supply | Rivet Guns Page 1 of 5

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by Stefandmissy

Andy, So what would one have to pay for the decent rivet gun plus rivets that you described?

Less than $ 45.00.

The rivet cost depends on what all you wish to have.

Andy

[Bill M.]

Airstream sells rivet guns and rivets on their website. A middle of the road gun for $39 and a kit with a high end gun and and assortment of rivets for $158. You can pick the rivets you need and get them in small packs. Sure, there are other places you might save a few bucks if you know what you are doing, but the Airstream site is not a bad place to buy. Home Depot and Lowes sell fairly good rivet guns.

[featherbedder]

I have had marson model ma39001 pop riviter since 1976, cast alum. wide range of nose pcs. std. zipdee uses the same as mine they are commercial qual. never a probl. Rivets can be pur big box store hrdw. etc. some A.S. have colored pop rivets, white at any place

[Globie64]

So, there is no easier way to get a buck rivet than a compressor, an air driven riveter and an extra pair of hands? I need to replace some rivets around our door that have to be low profile, the originals I guess are buck rivets.

[aluminitus]

Sounds like you need a buck rivet gun for the rivets around the door. Buck rivets have a smooth head and are used for exterior applications whereas pop rivets wind up having a hole in the middle, leak, and produce a funny looking stumpy bit on the back side. They are appropriate for interior use or where water-tightness is not an issue. There are other kinds of pop rivets, but I don't think they are what you need. Maybe there is a tool rental place near you where you can get one for a few hours. You will need a bucking bar, air compressor and a friend too.

[aluminitus]

Also, if you just need a pop rivet gun, you can get an adequate "hand-powered" one for $15-$20 at your local hardware store or on amazon. I did all of my pop riveting with a $15 one and unless you plan on restoring many trailers, it is probably all you will need for pop rivets.

[lewster]

Here's my choice: McMaster-Carr

[Lumatic]

I use a Marson HP2. I also have one from Home Depot with a swivel head which is handy for some applications. They are both in the $40 range and can take various sized rivets.

The problem with the cheaper pop rivet guns is after a while the jaws loose their grip on the rivet shaft causing it to jam or not work at all.

[pmclemore]

Lew, I really like the stockings on yours.

Pat

[idroba]

I also like the mid priced pop rivet guns with a swivel head as Lumatic suggests. The swivel allows you to get into many more places than a straight head.

That said, I have several pop rivet guns as the size and nose pieces and offset required on each different one usually allow me to find one which will get at that occasional impossible rivet location. One size does not fit all I have found. The really nice big professional ones are great, but too big to fit in a lot of locations. The swivel ones are the best single tool compromise.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by pmclemore

Lew, I really like the stockings on yours.

Pat

Pat,

I really like where you're going with that comment but those, of course, are rubber hand grips.......

The black case on the left side actually catches the rivet pins after they pop off from the rivet. Keeps things neat and tidy!!!!