How to Use Blind Rivets

Install blind rivets with a rivet gun.

Blind rivets are one way to fasten two thin pieces of metal together for a cleaner appearance. They are useful when installing gutters, downspouts and other metal materials. Blind rivets resemble a nail with a short head on one end. The shaft of the rivet is drawn through the head, using a rivet gun. The head then expands as the shaft is drawn up until the shaft breaks. The shaft will often have scores on it from the manufacturer. These scores are designed to break the shaft under a certain tensile strength. Buy manual rivet guns at home improvement centers, along with the rivets necessary for your project.

Things You'll Need

• Drill with bits
• Rivet gun

Instructions

1. Drill a hole through the two pieces of metal you are fastening together. Use a drill bit that is the same diameter as the head of the blind rivet you are using. The head is the part of the rivet that surrounds the rivet shaft on one end.

2. Insert the rivet head into the hole with the point of the rivet shaft pointing away from the material. Slide the tip of the rivet gun over the rivet shaft until the gun is flush against the top of the rivet head.

3. Apply slight pressure over the rivet head with the gun as you squeeze the rivet gun handle. Continue squeezing the handle several times until the rivet shaft breaks free from the rivet head. The rivet is now set in the two metal pieces.

References

• Integrated Publishing: Installing Blind Rivets
• Machine Designs: Straight Facts on Blind Rivets
• Bolt Products: How Blind Rivets Work