You want to assemble two metal parts. You must then rivet them. It’s easy, as long as you have the right size rivets and riveting pliers. Whatever the model of your clamp, the user will be identical.
Tools and materials needed:
- “Pop rivets,” consisting of a deformable alloy tube with a collar and a stem whose end is bulged. They come in various sizes (diameter, length and width of the collar). The tubular rivets are themselves, reserved for leather goods assemblies, and do not require the use of riveting pliers.
- Riveting pliers to make the assembly. It consists of a tube in which slides a jaw. The construction is made by crushing. There are three models: the standard rivet pliers, to be used with one hand; the two-handed rivet clamp, whose arms are longer, making it possible to increase the force at the moment of crushing; the rivet clamp with extensor, better suited for intensive work.
- A drill, equipped with a twist drill, to make holes for receiving rivets.
- A punch, to draw the holes.
The different steps to rivet two metal parts
- Locate the locations of the holes to be drilled, and trace them with a punch. Be aware that the holes for the rivets should be far enough away from the edge (at least 1.5 times their diameter) to make your fastener strong enough. In case you need to put several rivets, spread the holes at least three times the width of the rivets.
- Drill with a drill, using bits slightly larger than the rivets to be placed.
- Place the two pieces to be assembled by placing the holes on top of each other.
- Insert the first rivet into the jaw of the riving pliers, until the flange stops, and place it in the holes. You can use clamps to stabilize the assembly.
- Operate the pliers until the stem breaks. Your rivet is laid and your two pieces are assembled.
After all these steps you are now able to use a rivet gun. Now the next question that may come to your mind is how does a rivet gun work.
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