I have a cheap rivet tool and I really should just throw it out, 'cause it doesn't do the job well. However, as you are posturing, I so seldom need a rivet tool, it seems a waste to buy an expensive one. Until I do need it!
I have 7 different tool kits, and a bunch of others tools, like both manual and hydraulic crimpers for cable/wire to 2/0 and a 4 ton Porta-Power, stashed about the boat; the frequently used tools are in a tool box in the engine room. Most I use so rarely I often forget I have them until I need them.
So it seems I, a pack rat, am the wrong one to ask. lol

 

I use the el cheapo one. It will pull 3/16 SS rivets. I won't be fun, but it will do the job. If you haven't found more need for pop rivets, spend the extra money on something more useful. The others work better, but for a handful of rivets, I wouldn't worry about the cheapie.

(I only use el cheapo when I forget my hydraulic pop rivet tool at the shop.)

Edit- DO NOT MASH YOUR FINGERS BETWEEN THE GRIPS. On the plus side, it is self correcting. You will not forget ;-)

 

The second two mentioned can set a bigger rivet.

 

Arrow RHT300 should be all you would ever need, well that and an assortment of rivets. It's not like you are going to be riveting all day every day and if you were you wouldn't be using a manual riveter. So unless you've just got money to burn spend the 25 or 30 bucks for this one and save your money for a quality cordless drill with an assortment of quality bits. There's a little Makita that's B.A. for $250 or so.

 

For a handy rivet tool you need a tool with a long snout so you can get into tight places, also with long handles so you have the leverage to properly install stainless rivets, interchangeable guides so you can set smaller or larger rivets, and one with a ratcheting mechanism is handy too. You should be able to get all of these features plus an assortment of rivets and a storage case for under $50.

 

Unless your working in a very confined space there is no need for the swivel and the more plain version long nose Arrow that is less than $20 will do the job. Nice thing about the cheaper ones is that if you need to grind down the nose piece to get into a countersunk casting you aren't risking that much of an investment.

I have the cast knockoff of the plain long nose Arrow which I purchased at Harbor Freight about 30 years ago for less than $10 and despite some fairly heavy commercial usage it still works well.

 

10 buck version working fine after 20 years..used mostly for the rivets that connect the roller furling extrusions together.. A Schaefer unit..which is a real pain in the ass to get the rivets out when changing the wire.

 

In 10 years cruising I have popped about 10 rivets.
I bought a $10 or $15 popper that included a bag of rivets.

Yes you need to squeeze pretty hard..... Once per year.


Go a cheapy.

Spend no money on junk you'll never use because cruisibg is VERY expensive as it is.

 

In fact here's the exact one I have... But my Handel is red so it's faster...

£8 = US$11

https://www.amazon.co.uk/NOZZLE-POP-RIVET-ASSORTED-RIVETS/dp/B004K7RELC

 

Some background: As I refit the boat, I'm slowly trying to acquire the tools I'll need/want once I'm full-time cruising.

A lot of these are easy decisions. Needs lots of tools relating to the engine, electrical, and fiberglass work. I feel it's totally worth the money to invest in good quality tools for things like that that I'll need often, and may need in an emergency.

So, now I'm about to install my new radar, and it's designed to be mounted to the mast with 3/16" pop rivets.

I don't have a pop rivet tool, and at that size, there are a few interesting choices, such as the cheapo Lowes deal:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Arrow-Fastener-Swivel-Rivet-Tool/1194941

The slightly more expensive heavy-duty Lowes deal:

https://www.lowes.com/pd/K-Tool-International-Super-Duty-Hand-Rivet-Tool/50374298

Or, the hog-wild high-end pantograph model with cruise control and heated bucket seats:

https://jet.com/product/POP-PS25-PO...996e-85c4c17db3ae&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvKrItJWB2wIVDFYMCh0A8ACYEAYYAiABEgKLkPD_BwE

Now, let me say that I'm not afraid of spending $150 on a tool that I will need and use. But I haven't seen a whole lot of need for riveting as I've worked on the boat this winter. If I buy the cheapo tool and it's a PoS and I just throw it away after installing the radar, would I regret not having it at some point? It's just one of those tools where it's not immediately obvious if I'll need it ever again after this one use.

Unfortunately, I also can't find a tool rental place that will rent me one, and I can't seem to find any friends that have one of that size to borrow.

So, to those who have been cruising and/or owned their boats for a long period of time: how often do you need a pop rivet tool? Do you find the more expensive ones to be worth the money?

I'd buy a Marson HP 2 and the rivets you think you will need ! Probably around $ 30.00

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Yes the red handle makes if faster than the blue or yellow. ;>

Here is what I basically have been using:

The $12 Arrow fixed head gun is all that's needed and its a long nose model which helps along with being a fast red one.
https://www.amazon.com/Arrow-Fastener-RH200-Professional-Rivet/dp/B00004Z2JG/ref=pd_sbs_263_40?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00004Z2JG&pd_rd_r=B6D3ADV2Z8DJXZEBMVK0&pd_rd_w=SsDJN&pd_rd_wg=7dhF3&psc=1&refRID=B6D3ADV2Z8DJXZEBMVK0

 

Harbor Freight: https://www.harborfreight.com/heavy....com/heavy-duty-17-1-2-half-inch-hand-riveter-with-collection-bottle-66422.html

Mark

 

Unless you are doing really big rivets, or are doing hundreds of them, the arrows or similar are fine. I've had mine for 20 years (Craftsman) and never had an issue, although I am looking for a riv-nut tool, but that is another thread.

Lou

 

I also have an old Craftsman, similar size to the Swingline. Works perfectly well for common rivet sizes in small quantity.

 

Another vote for the cheapie... I have one in MA and one in FL. I probably use each of them once per year, and they do everything that I expect them to do.