- Drilling the correct hole is key for a secure attachment using a rivet. Typically the diameter of the rivet body is accurately measured with a caliper. The measurement is then used to select the proper drill bit. Rivet holes are then laid out on the material to be joined. The holes are drilled, but only after the material is held rigidly in place by clamps. The clamps ensure that the material does not shift during the hole drilling process. Once the holes are drilled, the rivets are placed in the openings. The tighter the fit of the rivet in the hole, the more secure the material will be held together.
- Selection of the rivets is just as important as the correct diameter. In most cases, like materials should be used for the joining process. Aluminum material should have aluminum rivets. Steel that needs joining should use steel rivets. Food grade material, such as stainless steel, will utilize a stainless steel rivet. The purpose of using like material is to ward off any corrosion which can occur by using metals of different compositions. The pop rivet is used for rivet gun applications. This rivet has a round head that extends through the rivet body. The rivet is fit into the hole. A stem from the rivet is inserted into the gun. A set of gripping teeth grabs the stem with each squeeze of the trigger. As the stem is pulled through the set of grippers, the round head expands the metal to secure the rivet body in the hole. When fully seated, the rivet stem will break off. The length of the holding rivet body should only exceed the thickness of the two pieces being joined by 1/8 of an inch. Longer protrusions may interfere with other mechanical workings or cause a pinch point.
- A peening rivet can be made from steel, brass or copper. This type of rivet is used mainly for joining dissimilar materials, such as steel and leather together. Brass and copper rivets will not harm the leather when these types of peen rivets are used. Tight fitting holes are still drilled as in the use of pop rivets and a rivet gun. The loose rivet or peening rivet is separately fitted into each hole. A round head hammer is used to round over the rivet body. In practice, this type of fastening is used for ornamental fastening. There must be access to the backside of the rivet in order to strike the rivet body with the hammer. A special anvil can be used to hold the rivet in place while peening. Typically the rivet should fit through both materials by no more than 3/16-inch to ¼-inch past the material. This height or protrusion allows for a symmetrical head to be formed. The head is formed not by smashing the rivet body down, but by forming a round head to secure the material and rivet body in place.
