I am looking for a air riveter and am not sure what type to get. I know I don't need the type for solid rivets, but there are a couple of different types of air riveters. I have used the non reservoir type, but it was some no name brand. I really don't want to buy one of the cheap as HF guns.

These are the solid hammer type guns:
http://www.skinpins.com/rivetgunsUSpro.html

I think they are referred to as blind rivet guns. Not sure if I should get the air over hydraulic or just a standard air only type , etc.

http://www.hansonrivet.com/w44.htm

These are examples of the type of riveter I am looking for.

 

The question is how much do oyu want to spend. The riveters on the second site are very expensive and I doubt you can can either one of them for less than 5-600 dollars. Usually the really cheap ones don't hold up or wont do a good job at pulling the riverts but you could try a HF unit and if it doesn't work take it back I guess. The unit I have I bought over 20 years ago from grainger industrial supply and paid just under 200 back then. I has been trouble free. When it comes to rivets the best rivets going are made by Avex and they are called bulblex aluminum body steel shank that stays and head forms up like a little Christmas tree shape rather then an expanded tube like most that loosen up with a little load.

here is a link to the unit I basically have todays price is 221.25

http://www.grainger.com/Graing...45185


Here is also a link to the rivets. They are not your normal hardware store junk.
I buy them from a place called jacks products in the philly area don't have the number handy right now

http://www.avdel.textron.com/b...x.htm

 

I spent some more time on the net last night after i posted here and found prices on some of the nice POP brand riveters. I bought fell out in the floor when I saw those prices. 500-1000$ for an air riveter. AS much as I hate to admit it I may go with the HF version.

I have been using Racin' Rivets from the various race car supply houses, but I will give the Avdel brands a shot.

 

Avery Tools (an aircraft tool supply house) carries pneumatic blind rivet pullers - some for only $100 - http://www.averytools.com/cart....aspx

I just use a Stanley brand hand puller though - $35 and it has a 360 degree swivel head. There is no way I could get a pneumatic puller in some of the tight places I can get the hand puller in, plus I don't pull that many blind rivets - only use them where I can't get a bucking bar.

All my riveting air tools are made by Sioux.


Modified by DaX at 8:21 AM 7/25/2007

 

I ended up buying the HF one and it is a suprisingly nice piece. After some disassembly and adjustment I haven't had a problem. Pulled more than 100 in a day with out issue. Pulls up to 1/4 in.

My biggest bitch is the shitty swivel for the air line.

 

Cool. Sometimes HF works out, sometimes it doesn't. I hate swivels, so I decided to use a mini-hose connection on all my tools and a 12' whip of mini hose on the end of my main hose - it's really light and flexible and you don't have to fight with a crappy swivel. This was also purchased from Avery - http://www.averytools.com/cart....aspx

 

Ingersoll-Rand