Pop rivetting problem.

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Slocumotion

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I am unable to "pop" 4.8mm Monel pop rivets with my pliers , they do set the rivet, but then will not snap the shaft. They don't slip or fold up (an earlier pair did collapse) , but even with the handles extended a few inches with ring spanners I just cannot exert enough force.
Is this meant to be the case? Should I be getting the lazy-tong type setter or have I got a duff batch of rivets?
Meantime, I am going to have to Dremel off the projecting bits of the three (yes, I was a bit slow to conclude that something was not going right) - that are sticking out of my main boom.
 
MikePalmer said:
I am unable to "pop" 4.8mm Monel pop rivets with my pliers , they do set the rivet, but then will not snap the shaft. They don't slip or fold up (an earlier pair did collapse) , but even with the handles extended a few inches with ring spanners I just cannot exert enough force.
Is this meant to be the case? Should I be getting the lazy-tong type setter or have I got a duff batch of rivets?
Meantime, I am going to have to Dremel off the projecting bits of the three (yes, I was a bit slow to conclude that something was not going right) - that are sticking out of my main boom.
Click to expand...
Monel rivets are much harder than the ordinary aluminium alloy ones and do require a lazy tongs-type tool to set them properly.
 
I have on board a pair of ebay long handled pop rivet pliers that happily set and break off 1/4 inch monel or S/S rivets.

About 16 quid ten years ago.

They paid for themselves the first time I used them.

They seem to be used on boats other than my own most of the time.............................
 
lw395 said:
Or a serious long handle riveter of some sort.
Click to expand...

My son got a Neilsen 17 inch one off Amazon for £13 a couple of weeks or so ago. Bought blind apart from good reviews.

I used them with 4.8 monel rivets. Very easy job. You have to work the action at least a couple of times to get the rivet to set so that sort of tool would work well to finish off the job.
 
James_Calvert said:
My son got a Neilsen 17 inch one off Amazon for £13 a couple of weeks or so ago. Bought blind apart from good reviews.

I used them with 4.8 monel rivets. Very easy job. You have to work the action at least a couple of times to get the rivet to set so that sort of tool would work well to finish off the job.
Click to expand...

The long handled may be a better bet than the scissor one I have which is plenty powerful enough but tends to ping back onto the mast and scratch it. May be different if you're not dangling from a halyard!
 
The ones I refer to are a definite two handed job. Ok up a mast if you are strapped to it I suppose. You need to be able to push against the workpiece.
 
Ruffles said:
The long handled may be a better bet than the scissor one I have which is plenty powerful enough but tends to ping back onto the mast and scratch it. May be different if you're not dangling from a halyard!
Click to expand...

I've scratched things in this way, without the excuse of dangling from a halyard. I put rags or something around to protect the work if it's precious, or get another pair of hends to hold the tool.
The shank lets go with a bang, the tool bounces off and the sharp end of the shank is poised to do damage!
As I hace two lazy tong riveters, and don't often need one, It's hard to justify a long handle type to see if it's any better...



But if they're only £20 or so.....
 
A good while ago, decent pop-riveters seemed to cost an arm and a leg. Cheaper now with Far-east manufacture I suppose
I've set a few 3/16" monel rivets with my plier-type tool by closing the handles with a G-clamp. Not ideal but the jaws have survived and it's worked so far. saves spending on a tool I would have hardly any use for.
 
Fr J Hackett said:
I doubt the rivets are completely set, I would invest in the right tool and snap them off correctly.
Click to expand...

+1

Just a note of caution, based upon my experience the really cheap lazy tong rivet guns aren’t very good, the jaw mechanism can be problematic. Like all tools, it’s better to pay as much as you can afford as, generally, you’ll get what you pay for. A large diameter Monel rivet requires a decent tool to insert it.

I remember being anchored in a nice quiet bay, being winched up the mast to fix a jib halyard diverter problem. Each time I pushed the rivet gun against the mast, I simply pushed myself away from the damned thing. Not so funny at the time. In the end I tied a strop around the mast and my waist. Sorted.
 
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In the past I've used the pliers type in the past but as said, had to use a G cramp to make them 'pop'. I bought a cheap lazy tong type, but did have to play around with it first to get it to work correctly. It now makes it very easy.
 
So many helpful replies! Thanks to all.
Now for the confession -
Reading them slowly, slowly prompted a memory of having had the same problem some years ago, and of posting what must have been a very similar enquiry - and of receiving similarly helpful advice.
So what must I have done then?
Well, bought these I suppose:-
IMG_20180630_103727.jpg
Found them behind the little box I keep the pliers and rivets in, and , yes, they are just the job.
:hopeless:
 
MikePalmer said:
So many helpful replies! Thanks to all.
Now for the confession -
Reading them slowly, slowly prompted a memory of having had the same problem some years ago, and of posting what must have been a very similar enquiry - and of receiving similarly helpful advice.
So what must I have done then?
Well, bought these I suppose:-
View attachment 71856
Found them behind the little box I keep the pliers and rivets in, and , yes, they are just the job.
:hopeless:
Click to expand...

I have a se of these (as mentioned they are cheap now coming out of either Taiwan or mainland China) the big issue with working up a mast is that you need to be 'behind' them which means you need to swing away from the mast so that you can push the 'end' into the rivet and get enough leverage on the handles. Having someone on deck who can pull you off the mast, simply a piece of rope, helps enormously - its very difficult otherwise (though maybe easier if you are not a 9 stone weakling :( )

Jonathan
 
MikePalmer said:
I am unable to "pop" 4.8mm Monel pop rivets with my pliers , they do set the rivet, but then will not snap the shaft. They don't slip or fold up (an earlier pair did collapse) , but even with the handles extended a few inches with ring spanners I just cannot exert enough force.
Is this meant to be the case? Should I be getting the lazy-tong type setter or have I got a duff batch of rivets?
Meantime, I am going to have to Dremel off the projecting bits of the three (yes, I was a bit slow to conclude that something was not going right) - that are sticking out of my main boom.
Click to expand...

Or just strong hands. As a lad it was easier.

Sometimes you can brace one handle against the work surface and use two hands on the other handle. It can work pretty well. I just finished doing a bunch for an article that way. But I have to get my weight over them.

I used to be stronger.

(BTW, 4.8 mm is a very standard 3/16-inch US size. Funny. Practically all dinghies and beach cats use those, generally with 316 or 304 SS rivets. After looking at many cats that have been on the beach for decades, I'm not convinced monel makes any difference at all.)
 
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You can get a small pop rivet head for use with a cordless drill, makes the whole job easy, mine cost £15
 
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