Blind Rivet Gun Tooling Options

When choosing an industrial power riveter and lockbolt tool, you want a proven, heavy-duty tool that will deliver reliable service for demanding applications such as product assembly, maintenance, metalwork, and truck and rail rivet work. Experts agree that choosing the correct tool is essential for a strong joint.

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best rivet or lockbolt setting tool for a job. You must evaluate the power-to-weight ratio, traction power rating, air pressure requirements, stroke length, ability to handle different nose piece assemblies, and general ergonomics. You also want to choose a tool that is easy to use and can accommodate various structural rivets.

Be sure there are sufficient tool clearances. Measure the distances from walls and projections to the rivet centerline to be sure the tool will fit. If the space is tight, ensure a nosepiece extension is available to solve the problem.

If tool clearance is an issue, consider setting the rivet from the unobstructed side of the joint, where you can place the tool flush. There are many ways to balance tools and handle mandrel removals.

We have been evaluating rivet and lockbolt tools for decades and are happy to share our expertise and advice to help you choose the right blind rivet gun. Here are some of our top choices of high-power blind rivet and lockbolt tools:

Huck 2024

Huck’s Model 2024 riveter is a long-stroke pneudraulic tool designed for high-volume production applications. It has an ergonomically designed handle, plated piston rods, and a 0.850-inch stroke. It’s made of aluminum and weighs just 5.5 pounds, making it a good option for continued use. 

The 2024 is ideal for one-pull placement and long-grip structural rivets of ¼-inch or smaller, such as the Monobolt, Magna-Lok, and HuckLok. The 2024L, which has an extended piston, is also available. An optional vacuum-assisted mandrel collection can be added.

Huck 2022

The Huck Model 2022 is a lightweight, high-speed blind rivet gun that is good for production and repair applications. It can accommodate smaller diameter, standard- and extended-grip blind fasteners (¼-inch diameter or less) and features an in-line, long-stroke piston that can deliver up to 30 installations per minute. 

The unit weighs 5.4 pounds and is ergonomically designed to minimize operator fatigue. The Model 2022 also has a universal nose assembly that can handle standard and structural rivets of 3/16 and ¼-inch diameters.

Huck BV13 AND BV17

Huck also offers the Makita BV13 and BV17, the latest battery-powered tools in the Huck Range Force tool line. The BV13 has a pintail pass-through to handle large blind bolts or two-piece HuckBolts up to ½-inch. The BV17 can handle 12mm and 14mm BobTail and ½-inch BOMtail fasteners, commonly used for site towers, solar racks, and similar applications. Both tools are powerful and lightweight and use Makita 40-volt batteries.

Cherry GH743

Bay Supply has been carrying Cherry tools for some time and has a long history with Cherry, both as a distributor and as a master service and warranty factory repair center. For over 60 years, Cherry has been the preferred fastener type and tool for airplane and aerospace manufacturing and repair. Cherry Aerospace offers a variety of fasteners and tools, and one of the most popular is the GH743.

The GH743 is an excellent choice for blind rivets and lockbolts. The riveter is a high-quality, rebuildable, investment-grade tool engineered for heavy-duty applications, such as trucks and transit. Its superb ergonomic design includes an air trigger button for low operator fatigue and a high power-to-weight ratio with a rated pull load of 3,600 pounds. It also has a long strike for single-pull installation, even for long-length rivets. The rivet tool has an easy priming system to recharge the hydraulic fluid and is user-serviceable.

The Cherry GH743 is compatible with various structural and multigrip style blind rivets, including the Avdel Q Rivet, Monobolt, Avdelmate, KTR, and Avex/Stavex.

FAR RAC 171

The FAR RAC 171 is a great option for setting large-diameter rivets. It has a 1-inch stroke and more than 4,000 pounds of pull strength, so it can handle the most demanding industrial blind fasteners. The hydropneumatic tool is designed with a one-piece molded frame, making it comfortable and durable.

It also has a front-swivel air intake with an external vacuum adjustment that provides convenient airflow for rivet placement and mandrel removal. Spent mandrels are collected for disposal to eliminate excess metal from creating a safety hazard. The tool is so easy to use that it can be used one-handed, allowing the operator to use the other hand for assembly. The FAR RAC 171 comes with oil, replacement parts, and nose pieces.

Bayfast Bay540

The Bay540 is the newest Bayfast pneumatic power rivet tool. While many manufacturers are discontinuing their pneumatic tools in favor of cordless tools, Bayfast recently introduced the Bay540 as a pneumatic option. It comes with a 6-foot whip hose and nose tips to install 3/32- to ¼-inch standard stainless steel fasteners. The Bay540 weighs 4.85 pounds with a pull strength of 3,000 foot-pounds.

POP PB3400 Cordless

As battery technology continues to advance, portable blind rivet tools are becoming increasingly popular. The POP PB3400 is a cordless blind rivet gun with a 20-volt battery and charger alongside features previously reserved for pneumatic power tools. With it, you get real power and endurance for tough riveting jobs without having to drag around an air hose.

The PB3400 is lightweight, weighing only 5.3 pounds, including the battery. It delivers a pull force of 4,047 pounds with a 1.181-inch stroke and features a tool-free, quick-release nose housing. DeWalt XR rechargeable Li-ion batteries power the tool. 

Shop for Blind Rivet Guns on the Bay Supply Marketplace

The next time you are in the market for high-performance, durable blind rivet tools, consider any of the tools profiled here or see what other options are available on the Bay Supply Marketplace. The Bay Supply Marketplace has the most comprehensive selection of rivet tools, a vast inventory, and the best prices. Check out our inventory of blind rivet guns and fastener tools, and contact our technical team if we can answer your questions.