Tool for Pop Rivets

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NormanS

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Can anyone recommend a good, and reasonably cheap hand tool for using with 6.4mm monel pop rivets.
I have, in the past used a borrowed "lazy tongs" type, and while it did manage to pull the rivets, it was guilty of skiting off when the pin sheared.
Would the two handled type be any better?
I realise that 6.4mm monel is just about the upper limit for a hand tool.
Any advice would be appreciated.
 
Yes, I bought lazy tongs very cheaply on ebay - but you can see where they skidded across the mast with a lump of steel pin sticking out! I believe the long handled type should be better as they are inclined to snap away from the workpiece. They're also reckoned to be the only type usable up the mast while its standing.

I'd be inclined to look for a set on ebay unless you're planning on doing such a big job that quality really matters.

Rob.
 
I have a set of lazy tongs type, quite cheap but seemingly well made, bought from TOOLSTATION for £15.19.

I am not sure I'd want to use them for big Monel or stainless rivets although they will accommodate 6.4mm. Absolutely no problem with 4.8/5mm.

The secret is to hold the chuck so that when the rivet snaps it does not go skidding across the work.

For what I was doing I could not justify anything more expensive and I could not find any to hire. I'll probably never use them again anyway.
 
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Doesn't anyone manufacture a hand-hydraulic one? I'm thinking of something incorporating something like a hydraulic jack. Using lazy tongs, the bang and the shaking rigging when the rivet goes sets off all the dogs in the neighbourhood. And if your teeth aren't your own, it's best to keep your mouth tightly shut!
 
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parsifal said:
I have one of this type. It works fine.

http://www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=109076
Click to expand...

I still have a mark on my cheek from breaking 6.4mm rivets on my x-tree. I rented a pair like those in your link. It was like using a 1970's bull-worker, except when the rivet goes, it really does go. BANG! and the legs close as fast as a woman when you push her too far :rolleyes:

Keep you face out of the way, as I say, I still carry the scar.

After this I bought some lazytongs off Ebay. These have worked excellently since, but I have not since worked with 6.4mm and am not convinced the lazy tongs would be all that easy, they can still take a fair bit of work on the 4.8mm stuff.
 
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I have a pneumatic/hydraulic kit that is quite good but have not tried it to 6.5mm. wasn't expensive at Makro 10yrs ago, paid £30? Also have the double handed kit and setting rivits up a mast was no fun, ended up with bruises on my jaw and a firm wish not to do it again. These were Monal 6mm IIRR. When they break, the reaction is all over the place. No skids on the mast though.
A
 
Thanks guys

Thank you all for your very helpful comments and advice.
Last year I fitted steps on the mizzen mast (when it was down), and I used the lazy tongs.

This year, I'm taking the mainmast down, and intend to fit folding steps on it. It sounds from the general advice, that I would be better with the long handled variety.

I feel that this is an example of all that is good about this forum. Thanks again.
 
One other approach (if you are using a rivet gun infrequently) is maybe to hire a cordless battery powered gun! Cost about £15 from memory, really easy to use! Fast & effortless:D
 
I must be doing something wrong! A few weeks ago I put an entire set of mast steps on our mast with the mast still up whilst using a bosuns chair and using lazy tongs type rivet gun.

I did have to put a loop round myself and the mast with a spare bit of line so that I could apply pressure with the drill or the lazytongs. The drill, lazy tongs mast steps etc were in a bucket on a halyard that my assistant pulled up alongside me as I worked.

Hold the bottom of the lazy tongs securely so that it doesn't dance across the mast when the rivet pops.
 
Having used both I can assure you that the long-handle variety are very much easier to use than the lazy-tong type - but even those quail at 7.6mm stainless rivets, but coped the once I had to do it.
Mine have 420mm long handles and 4 nose-cones. Apart from the fact that I bought them 12 years ago and they proudly announce they were made in Todmorden, England, I have no idea of the manufacturer.
Monel is more ductile than stainless and, if possible I try to use that material, however they are difficult to obtain, outside the UK and France.
 
An Update

Thanks to all who took the trouble to reply.

I bought a Faithfull long handled type, (from my-tool-store) for just under £30, which compared to some prices quoted, seemed very good value.

In use, the long handled tool was much better than the lazy tongs, because it didn't require my wife to push against me to stop the mast sliding off the trestles. It also didn't have the tendency to skid off, and scratch the mast.

I fitted stainless steel folding steps, which were supplied with holes for 5mm rivets, but as I already had a lot of 6.4mm monel rivets, I drilled the steps out to suit. These steps are sold by one company at 10 for £99.95, :D and by another for £22.79 each! :eek: It's always worth doing some research.
 
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