It won’t be arrogant of me to say that you won’t have any other way to embed a screw into sheet metal. Especially not if you’re intending to burden it some weight. The weight will crimp the rivet even more only to reinforce it.
Initially, the rivet nuts are far smaller in diameter, pushing the arms to widen it. And voila! you’ve got just the perfect hole with the perfect threading to slide in the screw. That’s the working principle. Yes, it’s a bit of a complex mechanism so pulling some DIY tricks won’t do anything of the sort.
Choosing the wrong one might cost a wider hole thus liquidating the purpose of riveting. So, let’s get the best rivnut tool out there.
Table of Contents
Best Rivnut Tool – Top Selections
Here are some of the top Rivnut tools in the market that you may consider to see through. They all stand out features that make them different from one another. Let’s have a look at them.
1. Astro Pneumatic Tool 1442 Rivet Nut Setter Kit
Features That Make the Difference
Astro Pneumatic, the famous tool maker company, came with an astonishing rivnut tool that has been designed to be considered as one of the best Rivet Nut setters in the market. You can easily change the nose pieces & mandrels with your bare hand with a quick change installation feature.
Due to the ergonomic design of the grip, you will have an easy operation. The unit consists of 6 interchangeable mandrels or nose pieces set along with 10 pieces of rivet nuts in metric sizes.
It has a ½ inch capacity for rivet nut setting. A shorter handle is provided so that you can get maximized leverage with the double compound hinges.
The disassembly of the tool is not even needed. You can just lock the rotation of the installed mandrel due to the spring-loaded inner hex sleeve. You can get a customized solution for any fastener in no time. Whether its firewall addition or off-road modifications, the Astro Pneumatic Tool 1442 got you covered.
Cons
- The mandrels that are being used with the rivnut tool seem to break if excessive force is being applied to them.
- With a broken rivet nut, the tool is useless.
2.TACKLIFE Auto Pumping Rod Rivet Nut Tool
No products found.
Features That Make the Difference
TACKLIFE has produced a professional tool which gives you better performance than other tools in the market. This 14” rod rivet nut tool will save you 40% more effort compared to other nut tools that are 13 inches. The construction of the tool is very rigid due to an all iron body & Chrome – Molybdenum Mandrels.
The arm of the tool is made from carbon steel & 14 inches long with greater performance. There is a pumping rod between the handles too so that users can fast loading & unloading of threaded rivet nuts.
The unit comes with 7 interchangeable mandrels of different metric sizes. Quick change allows switching pieces quickly.
You don’t need to worry about any firewall addition or offload modifications because the TACKLIFE auto pumping rivet tool gives you the ultimate solution for customized fastening. This handy tool comes with a sturdy strong case. This gives a complete solution to keep all the pieces of your rivnut tool organized for your work.
Cons
- The TACKLIFE seems to work perfectly on smaller mandrels but the larger sizes are the ones that cause hampers.
- They even seem to break. The Rivet nut doesn’t work on deep threads.
3. WETOLS Rivet Nut Tool
Features That Make the Difference
WETOLS have come up with a decent rivet nut tool. The whole unit is equipped with 7 piece metric sized mandrels. These tools are constructed from chrome steel. These components can withstand 40 degrees & the arm is constructed from carbon steel resisting any sort of corrosion.
Due to the rigid construction, you will think very less of any deformation. The arm of the WETOLS is almost 14 inches long so you get your work done with less effort than others. Effortlessly removing the mandrel by your hand is possible because of the easy installation.
The tool has a whole accessory package that has 7opcs of rivet nuts having 10 rivets per size. But having to organize this whole unit can become a problem, so that is why it is packaged in a molded carry case. Each piece is positioned to give you the ultimate experience.
Cons
- If you use excessive force or over squeeze, then the nuts are bound to strip.
- The tool takes a bit more effort than other tools that have been featured.
- Sometimes lubrication may be required for it too.
4. REXBETI Rivet Nut Tool
Features That Make the Difference
REXBETI has an enormous collection of tools that they have developed. The 14-inch Rivet nut tool is no exception from their previous tools. A 14-inch-long hand riveter is more than enough to easily change mandrels & nose pieces by hand.
Because of the carbon steel heat treated finish, the construction of the rivet nut tool is extremely sturdy. It even serves well against any sort of corrosion & gives the tool extra strength of superior performance.
The ergonomically designed handle has a rubber gripping that allows the users to easily operate the tool without any problems at all.
The whole unit comes with a 6 piece SAE or Metric sized mandrel parts. There are a total of 60 pieces that come in a package that is very nicely organized in a manner that will allow you to quickly identify the size.
The solid case that the whole package comes is extremely compact & will allow you to easily carry the whole rivnut tool.
Cons
- The tool is not compatible with all the common sizes of mandrels, especially the smaller ones.
- The instructions are also a little vague for the first time handling a rivet nut tool.
5. Aqqly Professional Rivet Nut Setter Kit
Features That Make the Difference
This professional rivet nut tool comes from Aqqly. Aqqly is equipped with a 16-inch enormous handle that allows you to easily achieve maximum leverage with minimum efforts. Quick change of head with hand operation allows you to easily make additional changes to the head & nose saving you a lot of time.
The construction of the mandrels is chrome-molybdenum steel, so you don’t need to worry about its durability. The whole unit comes in 11 different interchangeable sizes which are both SAE & Metric sized. It has 30 days’ money-back offer & a 1-year warranty so you can enjoy the tool without worrying about it getting broken or having defects.
You can have a wide range of applications with this versatile tool. Whether it’s on-road or off-road vehicle modifications or body panel attachments you can use this tool for any sort of riveting motive. With a wide range of sizes applicable to the tool, you can do all sorts of applications efficiently.
Cons
- Applying excessive force to the tool may hamper the construction of the tool.
- The 16-inch-long handle means that it will be heavy too.
- There is also a lack of official documentation for the tool.
6. Teshong Professional Rivet Nut Setter Kit
Features That Make the Difference
Teshong introduces to all the consumers their 11 pc hand rivet nut set. Both metric & SAE sized mandrels are available in their unit. The construction of the tool is from carbon steel; the heat-treated finishing is going to give the tool protection against corrosion & rust.
“Tool-less Quick Change Head” feature allows the users to easily change the nose pieces & Mandrels with bare hands saving you a lot of time. The handle of the rivet nut tool is almost 16 inches. For this, it saves you almost 40% of the effort from using another normal 13 inches long tool. It gives you greater leverage to work with.
Ergonomically designed handles give you better gripping over the handles of the tool. A solid case is provided with the Rivet nut case so that you can carry the whole unit & organize all the pieces in the case. As for accessories, all the Mandrel sizes come in 10 pieces each with a total of 110 pieces.
Cons
- This rivet nut tool is impressive but the problem is that it’s hard to assume the threshold force for every size.
- In the first few times using it, you are bound to break mandrels due to it.
7. Ginour Professional Rivet Setter Kit Hand Rivet Nut Tool
No products found.
Features That Make the Difference
Ginour has emerged in the market with its professional-grade tools & development. Their Rivet Gun kit has 7 pieces of interchangeable mandrels with both metric & SAE viable.
Each size has 10 additional pieces so the whole unit consists of almost 70 pieces. Double compound hinges existing with the tool mallows maximized leverage.
The total length of the tool is almost 11 inches. The ergonomic U bend designed handle with a non-slippery rubber grip gives you a firm hold on the tool. It also comes with the “Quick Change Mandrel” allowing the users to easily change the mandrel & nose pieces with only hands.
With a 3mm 45 carbon steel construction arm you cannot question the durability of the tool. You will get the whole unit in a safely packaged blow-molded carry case. This helps you in organizing all the pieces in the right place so that nothing goes missing while working.
Cons
- There is not much versatility in the number of sizes compatible with.
- Rather the small arm length means that you will have to apply more force to the arms despite double hinges. But it’s not that significant.
Specifications to keep in Mind for Best Rivnut Tool
If you are looking for an indefectible tool, then you need to be familiar with the facets that make these tools perfect. So let’s get familiar with the strong attributes that you need to be targeting while searching for your ideal rivnut tool.
Construction Material
The most reliable material would have to be steel as it is not that heavy for users & there is no question about the toughness of the material. Carbon steel may be chosen for the body of the tool to deliver that durability.
Mandrels, as they come in contact with rivets every now and then, are mostly made of chrome-molybdenum steel. All iron bodies are also a good option and are slightly lighter. But such tools should come with a good coating.
The Mandrel and Sheet Thickness
Rivet sizes depend on the thickness of the sheet of metal you are going to work on. And as rivets are mounted on the mandrel or nosepieces, mandrels come in varying sizes. Rivnut tool manufacturers provide both metric and SAE size mandrels.
An M4 sized rivet nut would be good enough for about 2.5mm sheet, while an M4 one for 3mm and so on. So as an approximate rule, as the mandrel size increases a step in metric, the thickness levels up by 0.5mm.
Arm Length and Thickness
The handle length directly links to the amount of leverage it gives to your target. Usually, an arm that has a larger length has better leverage over the smaller length ones. To wrap up almost all tasks going for 11 inches to 16 inches would be a smart and versatile choice. Anything greater than 16 inches would add much weight to the tool since it’s a fight between reachability and bulkiness.
Something around 3mm is a near-perfect thickness for double metal arms. Ensure that the inside of the arms is hollow enough to balance cumbersome. Certainly, the arms should be well attached by a double compound hinge
Grip of Arms
Rubber grips have quite no alternative. Keep in mind that ergonomically designed handles will give you more comfort. For that, U bend handles are an excellent suggestion. Otherwise, go for ones that leave indents for fingers to maximize hand control.
Lever
The lever rod is usually set up between the two arms. It should come up with an adjustable screw having a decent diameter. Longer rods enable the user to access it frequently and is a better option for riveting multiple small nuts. Surely it adds weight to the tool as a cost of that.
Ease of Use
Most Rivnut tools have the feature of a quick change of mandrel so that you can easily change the mandrels of the tool by hand. This feature will save you a lot of time. Otherwise riveting for long projects would take forever.
Carrying Case
Having a rigid carrying case is not a luxury but a necessity for you. Carrying blow molded cases will give you a better option for organizing all your pieces together. Keep an eye on the handle of the case so that it doesn’t take up an extra bit of space. The molds are to be perfect enough to prevent movement and marring.
FAQ
Q: How is a Rivet size measured?
Ans: You will see that there are different sized rivets available for a Rivet nut tool. These sizes of the rivets are measured by the diameter of the hole that the rivet is being installed into. You need to ensure that you are inserting the right-size rivet into the right sized hole or else the rivet will go waste.
Q: How to remove a rivet that is inserted wrong?
Ans: There are a few ways that you can remove a rivet if it is inserted into the wrong size whole. Drill & grinder tools are ideal in this kind of scenario.
Firstly, you need to use the grinder to grind off the rivet as much as possible. Then you need to use the hammer to push the pin part of the rivet. Then you need to drill the existing part of the rivet out. But you need to make sure that the size of the drill is smaller than the size of the rivet & the drill goes directly into the center of the rivet.
Q: Is it used as plumbing tool?
Ans: Yap, its used as one of essential plumbing tools, like many.
Q: Can an installed Rivet be reused?
Ans: No, after rivet nut is installed to a material it cannot be reused. After you install a rivet you can remove it by drilling into the center of the rivet. After doing this operation the rivet nut will be unusable as its structure would be hampered.
Q: What kind of measures should I take while using a rivnut tool?
Ans; As the tool deals with metal parts, it is necessary to wear personal protective gear before working with it. To ensure the safety of yourself & others around you should always make sure you are not too close to the work material.
Always use gloves to ensure the safety of your hands. Using googles is essential as any flying parts or rubbishes can go into your eyes & damage them. Always concentrate on your workspace as danger can come from any angle.
Q: Why should I use rivets instead of screws?
Ans: Rivets are mainly used to hold the surface of two materials together quickly & efficiently. Usually thinner sheet type materials are assembled using these rivets, whereas screws are rather ineffective in this sort of situation.
Conclusion
If you are riveting as a profession, then you need to get the best one for your job. Having a better tool for the job is always a confidence booster & is directly linked to your work too. But by this far you might have gotten confused over all these great rivet nut tools as you are having a hard time narrowing down to the best.
From our perspective, we would have to say that the Astro Pneumatic Tool 1442 Rivet Nut Set would be a fine choice considering the body construction of double compound hinges.
The TACKLIFE rivet nut set is also admirable as it has a longer handle to give you better leverage. You can also consider the rivet nut from Aqqly as they have a lot of options for different sized mandrels.
You have to take a good look at the best features of a rivnut tool from our detailed buying guide. But at first, make up your mind about your needs & priorities. Only then you can make a firm decision on what would be the best rivnut tool for your work.
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