Rivets

Where to Buy Rivets in the US: A Practical Guide to Rivets, Fasteners, and the Best Retailers

Why the Right Rivet Can Make or Break Your Project

Rivets may look simple, but choose the wrong type and you’ll be redoing work faster than you can say “pop.” Whether you’re repairing a gutter, building a trailer, or adding decorative studs to a leather bag, the right rivet material, diameter, and installation method matter. Think of rivets as the backbone of many builds — they don’t grab the spotlight, but when they fail the whole structure feels it. This guide walks through rivet types, tools, installation tips, and the best US retailers where you can buy the right fastener for the job.

Common Types of Rivets Explained

Before you shop, it helps to understand the main rivet families. They’re grouped by how they’re installed and what they’re made of, and each family shines in different situations.

Blind (Pop) Rivets

Blind rivets, often called pop rivets, are installed from one side and are the go-to for sheet metal, automotive panels, and many home projects. They come in materials like aluminum, stainless steel, and sometimes brass, and in standard diameters such as 1/8 inch and 5/32 inch. They’re fast, reliable, and work well when you can’t access the backside of the joint.

Solid and Semi-Tubular Rivets

Solid rivets require hammering or a rivet press and are the strongest option when you can reach both sides of a joint — think aircraft, heavy machinery, or traditional metalwork. Semi-tubular rivets are a middle ground: they deform more easily than solid rivets but offer higher shear strength than pop rivets.

Decorative and Craft Rivets

Not all rivets are purely functional. Decorative rivets, studs, and hotfix rivets add visual flair to leather goods, clothing, and crafts. Materials like brass, alloy, or iron with rhinestones are popular for fashion accents. These are often sold in assortments for small projects or bulk for manufacturers and workshops.

Screw and Mechanical Rivets

Some rivets combine the permanence of a rivet with the serviceability of a screw. Screw rivets and other mechanical fasteners can be removed or replaced more easily, making them useful where periodic disassembly is needed.

Top US Retailers for Rivets and Fasteners

Where you buy rivets depends on quantity, specialty, budget, and whether you want in-store help. Below are retailers that consistently earn praise for selection, pricing, or fast shipping.

Walmart

Walmart offers a range of consumer-friendly rivets and simple rivet tool kits at competitive prices. You’ll find standard pop rivets in sizes like 1/8 inch and 5/32 inch and pack quantities suitable for small home projects. Walmart is handy when you need a basic rivet assortment or a value pack of stainless steel large-flange rivets with mandrels for quick repairs.

PandaHall (Online Craft Supplier)

PandaHall specializes in craft hardware and decorative fasteners, including stainless steel rivet studs, aluminum hotfix iron-on rivets, brass rivets, alloy decorative rivets, and rhinestone-tipped rivets. If you’re making accessories, costumes, or custom leatherwork, stores like PandaHall are a treasure trove of specialty finishes and smaller pack sizes geared toward crafters and designers.

Home Depot

Home Depot stocks a broad mix of rivets for homeowners and contractors: blind rivets, structural rivets, rivet nuts, and rivet tools. You’ll find materials suitable for outdoor use (stainless steel) and interior projects (aluminum). Store associates can help match rivet size to grip range — useful when you’re not sure which diameter or length you need.

Lowe’s

Lowe’s carries pop rivets, rivet guns, and accessory kits similar to Home Depot, often with different brand options. They’re a good bet for DIYers who want a mix of value and local availability, plus the convenience of online ordering with in-store pickup.

Ace Hardware

Ace Hardware is ideal when you want neighborhood-level service and immediate access to a single-tool rivet solution. Many Ace stores keep small packs of stainless and aluminum rivets and hand riveters in stock. Staff can give local use advice, like which materials resist corrosion best in coastal areas.

McMaster-Carr

When you need exacting specifications and industrial-grade fasteners, McMaster-Carr is hard to beat. They offer a massive catalog with precise diameters, lengths, and materials — including aircraft-grade stainless steel and specialty alloys — shipped quickly. If your project demands tight tolerances or unusual sizes, this is the place to shop.

Grainger and Fastenal

Both Grainger and Fastenal are known for industrial supplies and bulk quantities. If your work involves large-scale manufacturing or frequent repairs, these suppliers provide high-volume packs, industrial-grade rivets, and a selection of rivet-setting equipment. They’re also helpful when you want vendor-managed inventories for a job site.

Amazon

Amazon offers a convenient bridge between consumer and industrial suppliers. You’ll find everything from craft rivet assortments to bulk industrial packs and countless rivet tools. The user reviews can be useful, but watch for varying quality across third-party sellers — check material specs and seller ratings carefully.

How to Choose Rivet Size and Material

Choosing rivet size is mostly about matching diameter and grip range to the materials you’re joining. Diameter is usually listed in fractions of an inch, like 1/8 inch (0.125") or 5/32 inch (0.156"). Grip range — the thickness of material the rivet can clamp — is equally important and is often given in tenths of an inch or fractions. If the rivet is too short, it won’t clinch; too long and it won’t form properly.

Material Matters: Aluminum vs. Stainless Steel vs. Brass

Aluminum rivets are lightweight and corrosion-resistant for many outdoor uses, though they’re not as strong as steel. Stainless steel rivets deliver higher strength and corrosion resistance for marine or outdoor exposure. Brass is attractive for decorative projects and resists corrosion well, while alloy steels and specialty materials serve industrial demands. Match the rivet material to both function and appearance.

Measuring Diameter and Grip Range (Imperial)

Measure the combined thickness of the materials you’re joining in inches. If your stack is 1/8 inch thick, you might choose a rivet with a grip range that includes 1/8 inch — for example, a rivet rated for 1/16 to 3/16 inch. Always allow a small margin rather than cutting it fine; rivets expand to form a reliable head and tail.

Tools and Accessories: Rivet Guns, Mandrels, and More

Having the right tool makes installation smooth. For occasional tasks a hand riveter (manual) is fine. For higher volume, a pneumatic or battery-powered rivet gun saves time and fatigue. Mandrels come with pop rivets; if you’re buying bulk blind rivets, expect mandrels to break away and collect in the tool’s capture chamber.

Hand Riveters vs. Pneumatic and Battery Tools

Hand riveters are inexpensive and great for small jobs. Pneumatic rivet guns are faster and more consistent for repetitive commercial work. Battery-powered tools balance portability and speed for contractors, especially when working on ladders or in tight spaces.

Tool Accessories and Maintenance

Keep spare jaws, nozzles, and mandrel capture systems on hand. Clean and lightly oil moving parts to extend tool life. For rivet nut tools and setting presses, follow manufacturer torque settings to avoid over-crushing or stripping the rivet.

Decorative and Specialty Rivets: When Looks Matter

For fashion, upholstery, or crafts, decorative rivets and studs are as much about aesthetics as function. Options include brass finishes, alloy decorative heads, iron rhinestone rivets, and hotfix rivets that bond with heat. These are often sold in small packs or assortments geared toward designers and hobbyists.

Hotfix and Iron-On Rivets for Fabric and Leather

Hotfix rivets have an adhesive or backing that activates with heat, making them ideal for garments and accessories. For leather or heavy fabric, choose rivets with a sturdy shaft length and consider pre-punching holes with a leather punch sized in fractions of an inch for clean installation.

Studs and Rhinestone Rivets for Jewelry-Style Accents

Rhinestone rivets and decorative studs can transform a plain belt or jacket into a statement piece. Look for consistent sizing and quality plating to avoid flaking. If the piece will see lots of wear, choose brass or stainless alloy for durability.

Buying Rivets Online vs. In-Store: Pros and Cons

Online shopping gives you massive selection and detailed spec sheets, which is great for unusual diameters or specialty finishes. Brick-and-mortar stores let you see and handle rivets and tools immediately. If you need a small pack today, a local hardware store wins. For bulk orders or precise specs, online suppliers like McMaster or Grainger are hard to beat.

Bulk Buying Tips

Buying in bulk reduces unit cost but consider storage and shelf life for certain finishes. Industrial suppliers and fastener distributors often sell by the box or reel, which is perfect for shops or repeated repairs. For one-off craft projects, small packs from craft suppliers or big-box stores keep your bench uncluttered.

Installation Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are practical pointers to keep your rivet joints strong and clean-looking.

Drill the Right Hole Size

Match the drilled hole to the rivet diameter — a hole too large compromises the joint, too small makes insertion difficult. Use a high-quality drill bit and check the bit size in fractions of an inch. If you’re unsure, measure both the rivet body and the recommended drill size on the packaging.

Work With Clean, Flat Surfaces

Uneven or dirty material surfaces can prevent the rivet from forming a proper head and tail. Clean the surfaces, deburr the hole, and clamp materials where possible to maintain alignment during setting.

Avoid Over-Compressing or Under-Setting

Over-compressing can crush softer materials; under-setting leaves a weak joint. Follow grip-range guidance and, when in doubt, test on a scrap piece to dial in your tool and technique.

Budgeting: Where to Save and Where to Invest

If you’re outfitting a workshop, invest in a reliable rivet tool and high-quality stainless rivets for exterior use. For one-time decorative projects, buy small packs from craft suppliers and save on tools by using a hand riveter. For high-volume industrial use, negotiate volume pricing with suppliers like Fastenal or Grainger to lower per-rivet cost.

When to Pay More

Spend more on stainless or specialty alloys when corrosion resistance matters — for marine, coastal, or outdoor applications. Also, higher-priced industrial rivets often come with consistent quality control that prevents costly rework.

Conclusion

Rivets are a small investment that can have a big impact on the longevity and appearance of your project. Whether you’re shopping at Walmart for quick repairs, ordering decorative rivets from a craft supplier like PandaHall, or sourcing industrial-grade fasteners from McMaster-Carr, match the rivet type, material, and size to your needs. Pair those rivets with the right tool — hand, pneumatic, or battery — and you’ll get a clean, durable joint every time. With the right knowledge and the right retailer, even a modest rivet can feel like a tiny superhero holding your project together.