Bay Supply Blog - Rivets, Fasteners, and Tools

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.

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.

If you are looking for a permanent joint that will last and resist vibration, nothing compares to the reliability of a rivet. Rivets are easy to install and are a great substitute for screws or bolts because they don’t loosen over time. There are different types of rivets, but the pop rivet is one of the most popular. Depending on the type of rivet you’re using and the application, you need to choose the right pop rivet tool for proper installation.

One of the most popular forms of blind rivets is pop rivets because they are easy to set and extremely strong. Pop rivets can be used for everything from construction applications to manufacturing to making lasting repairs. Pop rivets are effective in wood, metals, and even plastic, but you have to use a pop rivet gun to install them. There are different types of pop rivet tools, and it is important to choose the right tool for the application.

Rivets have been used for more than 5,000 years, and although we have come a long way since blacksmiths had to forge rivets by hand, their basic shape and applications have not changed. What has changed is that we have more types of rivets and rivet designs that make them more versatile, with different features for specific applications.

Blind rivets have come a long way in the last 100 years. What makes blind rivets so useful in a wide range of industries is the fact that you can drive them in from only one side. Additionally, once sealed, they have excellent load-carrying capacity and are less prone to failure caused by vibration or corrosion.

Above all, the rivets used on projects must be reliable and enduring. A fastener that fails can lead to more problems, so ensuring you have the right hardware for the job—and then doing the job right—is imperative.

Beyond this, the choice of rivet can affect other critical work factors. How much will this rivet cost? How difficult will it be to install? Do I have the right rivet on hand for the job? Without the right answers to these questions, costs can add up.

Although the name “pop” is widely used as a generic term for blind rivets, it started out as a brand name for a specific style of rivet patented by the George Tucker Eyelet Company, which was acquired by the United Shoe Machinery Corporation (USM). USM later became part of STANLEY Engineered Fastener, which now owns the POP® trademark.

When selecting a rivet gun, you have different designs and manufacturers to choose from, which makes it even harder to find the right tool.

Review our infographic on the three steps for choosing the best rivet gun for your needs.

Not all fasteners are created equal. A different type of fastener is available for every type of application you can think of, and choosing the right fastener for the job ensures a lasting and trouble-free joint. The question is, which of the myriad fastener types is appropriate for each task?

Here are four of the most common applications that require fasteners and the best types of fasteners for each one.