Types of Rivets: A Guide to Picking the Right One for Your JobTypes of Rivets

Do you see gaps in your metal parts? Are loose connections making your products weak? Is picking the wrong fastener costing you time and money? At Istar Machining, we know these problems make your work harder. Let’s fix that! This guide will show you all the rivet types and help you pick the best one. Our makes parts that work with all these rivets.

What Are Rivets?

Rivets are metal pins that join things. They have a head and a tail. When you put them in, the tail gets smashed flat. This makes parts stick together very well. Rivets work where other things can’t:

• When welding might hurt the metal
• When screws would shake loose
• When you need a strong but light join Our aluminum CNC machining team makes parts that work great with rivets!

8 Main Types of Rivets

1. Solid Rivets

Solid rivets are the oldest type. They are just one piece of metal. They are very strong! Good things about solid rivets:

• Very strong (40,000-60,000 psi)
• Last a long time
• Work well in hot places Not so good things:
• Need tools on both sides
• Take more time to put in
• Need more skill At Istar Machining, our precision CNC machining makes parts that fit with solid rivets very well.

2. Blind Rivets (Pop Rivets)

Blind rivets let you work from just one side. This is why people call them “pop rivets” too. Good things about blind rivets:

• Work from one side only
• Fast to put in
• Need less skill
• Cost less Not so good things:
• Not as strong (20,000-35,000 psi)
• Don’t work as well in hot places Our CNC prototype machining team uses blind rivets for test parts.

3. Tubular Rivets

Tubular rivets have a hole part way through them. This makes them easier to set. Good things about tubular rivets:

• Work well with soft things like cloth and leather
• Look nice when done
• Need less force to set Not so good things:
• Not for heavy jobs
• Not as strong as solid rivets

4. Split Rivets

Split rivets have legs that spread out. They work well with wood and soft things. Good things about split rivets:

• Easy to put in
• Work with many types of things
• Don’t need big tools Not so good things:
• Not very strong
• Can come loose if things move a lot

5. Self-Piercing Rivets

Self-piercing rivets are very cool! They make their own hole as you put them in. Good things about self-piercing rivets:

• No need to drill holes first
• Fast to use
• Very good for car parts
• Strong (25,000-45,000 psi) Not so good things:
• Need special tools
• Cost more
• Only work with some types of metal Ford uses more than 1,200 self-piercing rivets in each F-150 truck! 

6. Flush Rivets

Flush rivets sit flat with the top of your part. This makes things smooth. Good things about flush rivets:

• Make a smooth look
• Good for places where air flows over
• Used a lot in planes Not so good things:
• Need skill to put in right
• Take more time
• Need special holes

7. Friction-Lock Rivets

Friction-lock rivets stay tight even when things shake a lot. Good things about friction-lock rivets:

• Stay tight when things move
• Work well in cars and trucks
• Easy to put in Not so good things:
• Not as strong as some other types
• Cost more than basic rivets

8. Threaded Rivets

Threaded rivets have a special twist pattern inside them. You can put screws in them later! Good things about threaded rivets:

• Let you take parts off later
• Work like nuts but in thin metal
• Very good for thin parts Not so good things:
• Not as strong as solid rivets
• Cost more
• Take more time to put in

Picking the Right Rivet: What Works Where?

Are you losing time with the wrong rivets? Wasting money on parts that break? Let Istar Machining help you pick the right one! 

Rivet Types by Industry

Rivet Materials Matter!

The market share of rivet materials shows what works best:

• Aluminum: 45%
• Steel: 30%
• Titanium: 12%
• Others: 13% At Istar Machining, we work with all these metals in our CNC metal shop!

Blind vs. Solid Rivets – The Big Face-Off

Can’t decide between blind and solid rivets? Here’s a fast way to pick:

• Pick blind rivets when:
  • You can only get to one side
  • You need to work fast
  • Cost matters a lot
  • The load is not too big
• Pick solid rivets when:
  • Strength is most important
  • You can get to both sides
  • The part will get very hot
  • The part must last a very long time

How to Put Rivets In

Worried about doing it wrong? These steps will help:

Tools You Need:

• Rivet gun (for blind rivets)
• Drill with the right size bit
• Hammer and bucking bar (for solid rivets)
• Safety glasses

Steps to Put In Blind Rivets:

1. Drill a hole in your parts
2. Put the rivet in the hole
3. Put the rivet gun on the rivet
4. Squeeze the gun till the rivet “pops”
5. Check that the rivet is tight

Steps to Put In Solid Rivets:

1. Drill a hole in your parts
2. Put the rivet in the hole
3. Hold the head with a tool
4. Hit the tail with a hammer till it gets flat
5. Shape the tail to the right look

Common Rivet Problems and How to Fix Them

Are you frustrated with rivets that don’t work right? Here are the top problems and how to fix them:

1. Rivet too loose
   • Fix: Use a bigger rivet or a smaller hole
2. Rivet breaks
   • Fix: Use a stronger type or material
3. Hole gets too big
   • Fix: Use a washer or a bigger rivet
4. Parts don’t stay flat
   • Fix: Clamp parts better when you put in the rivet Istar Machining helps make sure your parts work right with rivets. Our custom CNC machining team can make holes just the right size!

Questions People Ask About Rivets

The Right Rivet Makes All the Difference

Are you tired of joints that fail? Frustrated with parts that come loose? Worried about picking the wrong fastener? The right rivet solves these problems. At Istar Machining, we make parts that work great with all types of rivets. Our CNC parts machining gives you pieces that fit just right.

Let’s look back at what we learned:

1. Strongest rivets: Solid rivets (40,000-60,000 psi)
2. Easiest to use: Blind rivets
3. Best for planes: Flush rivets
4. Best for cars: Self-piercing rivets
5. Best for DIY: Blind rivets

Remember, the right rivet for your job depends on:

• How strong it needs to be
• What tools you have
• How the parts will be used
• What metal you’re joining

With this guide and Istar Machining’s help, you’ll pick the perfect rivet every time!