Bay Supply Blog - Rivets, Fasteners, and Tools | Mike Eichinger (2)

Plastics have been part of our lives since the 1950s and have become integral in manufacturing and industrial applications. However, bonding plastics with different plastics or other materials is one particularly challenging aspect of working with plastics. One of the most common and durable techniques for bonding plastic components is with threaded inserts for plastics.

When shopping for rivet tools, you want to consider the tool's weight, pull force, power source, and other specifications. For example, battery-powered rivet tools might be better suited for construction jobs or applications in which you need more portability, whereas pneumatic tools are better in a factory setting or heavy-duty assembly. There also are times when you want a manual rivet tool, particularly for simple jobs that don’t need a high-impact installation. It’s also useful to have a manual rivet tool on hand for simple repairs or smaller jobs. So the question is: Which tool do you choose?

E-commerce is no longer a new concept. Consumers have been buying goods online for years, and since the pandemic, online sales have been rising faster than in-store sales. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, total retail sales saw a 6.9 percent increase in Q4 2020, and e-commerce sales rose 32.1 percent in the same period. Today, e-commerce sales make up about 14 percent of overall retail sales. 

You know the old saying that if you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail? 

Blind bolt fasteners continue to gain popularity because they offer cost-effective performance. They can secure short clamp lengths and create a lasting bond. They stand up well in high-stress applications, including when there’s heavy and constant vibration. Blind bolts are also quick and easy to install. In fact, with the right blind bolt fastener tool, they can be installed at rates from 150-500 pieces per hour. 

Rivets are increasingly becoming the fastener of choice for manufacturing and repairs because they are inexpensive, are easy to install, and provide a secure connection. And as more rivets are being used for construction, field repairs, and in the workshop, more professionals are using a cordless rivet gun to get the job done.

Just as it pays to use the right fastener for the task, it also pays to use the right tool. One of the most popular and most versatile types of fasteners is the threaded insert—also known as a rivet nut or sometimes a nutsert—which is fastened securely in place to create a threaded connection. Using a threaded insert instead of drilling a threaded hole offers many advantages, particularly when working with soft materials such as plastic and wood that aren’t sturdy enough to accommodate a threaded hole.

Stripped threads can be a nightmare, especially when dealing with soft materials such as aluminum, magnesium, or plastic. When you have a stripped fitting where a bolt just won’t hold or needs reinforcement, you need to find a way to make a fastener connection that is strong and worry-free. That’s when you need a helical insert.

Rivets have become one of the most common fasteners for manufacturing, assembly jobs, construction, and a host of other applications, and just as you have to choose the right rivet for the job, you also have to choose the right rivet setting tool.

Rivets are designed to provide a permanent joint, but sometimes they have to be removed. Maybe a rivet was installed incorrectly or cracked during installation, or perhaps the rivet has started to corrode and needs to be replaced. When you have to remove a rivet, it pays to use the right rivet removal tool.