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

Rivets have been used to build boats, make tools, construct buildings, and for other applications nearly as far back as we have recorded history. However, the construction of the rivets and their applications continues to evolve.

Everyone in the fastener business has heard of Huck fasteners. Huck, now a division of Howmet Aerospace, has been producing lockbolts and blind rivets since the 1930s. Today, they are used in a wide range of transportation, construction, manufacturing, and other applications. And the engineers at Huck continue to innovate with new bolt designs and applications.

Rivets provide a permanent joint between two pieces of material—for example, airplane skins or solar panels—by pressing the material together. When you have thinner materials and want a firm joint, conventional rivets or blind rivets work well. However, sometimes you need rivets that have a longer grip length or can serve as a pivot point. In such cases, it makes sense to use mate rivets, sometimes called Cherrymate rivets or semi-tubular rivets.

Humanity has used rivets for millennia, starting with the Egyptians more than 5,000 years ago. Because rivets have such a long history, they have evolved significantly over time, and today’s specialty rivets offer different tolerances for specific applications. Bulb-tite rivets continue to be one of the most versatile types of rivets.

Blind fasteners are available for every application imaginable, from building cars and trucks to installing circuit boards. Choosing a suitable blind fastener for the job means matching the fastener to the materials. You want to select a fastener that delivers optimal performance, whether you’re installing fasteners in steel, wood, or plastic.

If you are familiar with fasteners, then you know pop rivets are among the most popular blind bolts. Pop rivets are easy to install and create a lasting joint that will resist vibration. However, as with all types of rivets, you must choose the right pop rivet for the application and the right pop rivet tooling option to install it.

Blind rivets are a category of fastener that encompasses various designs beyond the simple pop rivets. Most blind rivets have a two-piece design with a rivet body and a mandrel insert. They are commonly used in manufacturing, HVAC, boat building, construction, and any application where you must fasten two materials together but only have access to one side. The ability to set a rivet without access to the back—or blind side—is where the term blind rivet derives from.

When we think about constructing ships or airplanes, we may visualize large industrial equipment and machinery compiling sizable masses of metal. However, the smallest pieces of hardware can make a big difference in the functionality of these common commercial products.

In terms of structural stability, the installation of the right fasteners often has a huge impact on product quality. Naturally, delivering premium results requires the appropriate development methods and materials.

Blind rivets, pop rivets, POP® rivets—what’s the difference? In the world of fasteners, the subtle differences in hardware can make a huge difference to the success and quality of your project.