When and Where to Install Easy Entry Rivets

We have been blogging recently about easy entry rivets, what makes them unique, and how to use them. In this blog post, we want to delve deeper and discuss where to use them.

In our intro to easy entry rivets, we described them as a type of blind rivet specifically designed for misaligned materials. They are called easy entry rivets because they have a pointed mandrel that makes them easier to place in misaligned holes. Easy entry rivets are often used on the assembly line or in factory settings to join sheet metal panels or for other types of installations.

As with any blind rivet, choosing the right type of rivet for the application is essential. Failing to account for the correct diameter, grip length, or materials could result in a joint that will fail.

Why Easy Entry Rivets? 

Easy entry rivets are a form of POP® rivet made by STANLEY Engineered Fastening to facilitate the joining of multiple layers of metal or sheets of material. Like all blind rivets, they are designed to be installed from one side of a workpiece and secured on the blind side.

The rivets have the same design as other blind rivets, with a hollow shaft and a mandrel that collapses on the blind side when pulled. The only difference is the cone shape on the mandrel's end, making it easier to insert through misaligned holes.

Some prefer easy entry rivets because they work well in oversized holes. The rivet heads are large enough to ensure a secure grip.

Easy entry rivets are especially useful when joining thin-gauge metals. The easy entry design makes installation faster when connecting metal sheets to a frame or other panels since it can be difficult to align the holes.

Easy Entry Rivets in Factories

Easy entry rivets are popular for assembly line and factory work because they are faster to install. If the holes drilled to join materials aren’t perfectly aligned, the rivets compensate by acting as guides to align the holes before you set them. That makes easy entry rivets popular in any situation where thin metals are used in assembly.

Just a few of the applications for easy entry rivets include:

• Automobile and truck manufacturing
• Commercial lighting
• Appliances
• Aluminum doors
• Lockers
• Metal ductwork
• Vending machines
• Photocopiers
• Recreational vehicles

Applications Outside the Factory

Using conventional rivet tools, you can install easy entry rivets like any pop rivet. You can even install them using manual or battery-operated tools, so they are often used in the shop or for field repairs.

For example, you can use easy entry rivets to repair appliances on-site or to repair auto and truck bodies. You can also use them to repair office furniture, vending machines, and more.

There are instances where you can’t bring in an appliance or unit to repair it, so field repairs are necessary. Easy entry rivets are great for simple on-site repairs, such as acoustic ceilings, bathroom stalls, or HVAC vents and systems. You also can use them to repair road signs using battery-powered rivet tools.

You can also use easy entry rivets for specialty applications, such as joining different materials. You can use them to connect plastics and metals, install circuit boards, and perform other similar purposes. The best use cases for easy entry rivets are when you need a simple rivet to connect materials with misaligned holes or holes of different sizes.

Consider the rivet’s materials when selecting easy entry rivets for specialty applications such as mounting circuit boards. You may need a nonconducting rivet material or a rivet that won’t corrode. Easy entry rivets are available in steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and other materials and come with special coatings.

Shop Easy Entry Rivets on the Bay Supply Marketplace

Blind rivets are incredibly versatile and highly reliable, and easy entry rivets can be handy for tricky repairs or challenging jobs. They offer superior performance compared to screws and bolts, can be easier to install, and are more forgiving than other rivets since they work well with misaligned materials and oversized holes.

Easy entry rivets cost a little more and may not be best suited for every task, but they can be a valuable alternative in certain situations. To consider the fastener options for your next job, shop easy entry rivets on the Bay Supply Marketplace. Be sure to read our Essential Guide to Blind Rivets to see what other types of rivets might suit your needs.