Best Riveting Tools & Where to Buy Them in the US: A Shopper’s Guide

Why riveting tools deserve a spot in every toolbox

If you do any metalwork, repair, or DIY around the house, a good riveting tool is like a Swiss Army knife — small, versatile, and surprisingly handy. Rivets join thin metals, plastics, and other materials without the heat, mess, or gap you get with welding. Whether you’re fixing a gutter seam, repairing a boat hull, or building a lightweight frame, the right rivet tool saves time and keeps things strong. Think of it as the difference between duct-taping and permanently fastening — the job just looks and lasts better.

Common types of riveting tools and what they do

Hand (manual) riveters

Hand riveters are the go-to for most homeowners and hobbyists. They’re lightweight, typically under 2 pounds, and work best with blind (pop) rivets from about 1/16 in to 1/4 in in diameter. You squeeze the handles to pull the mandrel, compressing the rivet body to form a solid joint. They’re simple, affordable, and perfect for one-off repairs or occasional projects.

Pneumatic rivet guns

Pneumatic guns run on compressed air and are built for speed. If you’re installing dozens or hundreds of rivets, a pneumatic tool reduces fatigue and finishes the job in a fraction of the time. These tools often require an air compressor rated around 90 psi and are common in body shops and production settings. They handle larger rivets and tougher materials with a consistent pull force measured in pounds of thrust.

Hydraulic and battery-powered options

For heavy-duty or mobile jobs, hydraulic and battery riveters are a smart choice. Battery tools give you cordless freedom and can drive large blind rivets up to 3/16 in or more, depending on the model, while hydraulic units deliver massive pulling force for structural rivets but are bulkier. These are ideal for trade pros working on roofing, HVAC, or metal fabrication.

Rivet nut (nutsert) tools

Rivet nut tools install threaded inserts into thin materials so you can use standard bolts — a lifesaver when you need a strong threaded anchor but can’t weld a nut on the backside. They come as manual, pneumatic, and battery-operated models and typically handle inserts sized in inches like 1/4-20 or 5/16-18.

Top US retailers where you can buy riveting tools

Home Depot — convenience and wide selection

Home Depot is a reliable first stop for hand riveters, entry-level pneumatic models, and essential accessories. They carry brands like Stanley, DEWALT, and Husky, and you can usually pick up rivet assortments measured in inches for quick fixes. If you prefer trying a tool before buying, Home Depot’s store presence makes it easy to test weight and grip in person.

Lowe’s — solid mix of consumer and pro items

Lowe’s offers a similar mix to Home Depot with a few brand differences. Expect to find manual riveters, small cordless models, and kits that include mandrels and a range of rivet sizes such as 1/16 in, 3/32 in, and 1/8 in. Lowe’s often targets homeowners and DIYers, but they also stock tough tools from reputable name brands that hold up for light professional use.

Harbor Freight — budget-friendly tools with good value

If you’re price-conscious, Harbor Freight is where you shop for deals. They sell inexpensive hand riveters and occasional pneumatic kits that let you experiment without spending a lot. The quality varies, so if you plan to rivet frequently or in thicker materials, consider pairing a Harbor Freight buy with spare jaws and replacements. For one-off jobs or learning the trade, it’s a great low-risk option.

Ace Hardware — neighborhood expertise and parts

Ace stores are great for quick parts and friendly advice. Many Ace locations stock common rivet sizes and replacement parts for popular hand tools. If you’re in a hurry and need a specific length of rivet, or a jaw set measured for 3/16 in rivets, Ace is a convenient local choice where staff can point you to the right fit.

Northern Tool + Equipment — pro-grade selection

Northern Tool targets the pro crowd, carrying mid- and high-end pneumatic, hydraulic, and battery rivet tools. You’ll find brands and models built for repetitive use, with technical specs listed in pounds of pull and rivet diameter capacity. This is a smart shop for contractors who need consistent performance and longer tool life.

Grainger and MSC Industrial — industrial reliability

Grainger and MSC Industrial supply professionals and maintenance departments with heavy-duty riveting solutions. These outlets are ideal for finding specialty jaw sets, industrial-grade pneumatic guns, and high-torque hydraulic riveters rated for inches and pounds of pull required in structural applications. Expect detailed spec sheets and bulk ordering options.

Amazon and eBay — massive selection and reviews

Amazon and eBay offer the largest variety and the convenience of home delivery. You’ll find almost every type of riveting tool, from cheap hand riveters to professional battery guns. Reviews and Q&A sections help you weigh reliability and fit. Just watch for counterfeit listings and check seller ratings; a longer warranty and clear return terms are your friends when buying online.

Brands worth knowing when shopping for rivet tools

Certain manufacturers have built reputations for durability and reliability. DEWALT and Milwaukee produce rugged battery and corded tools tuned for pros. Stanley and Astro Pneumatic make trusted hand riveters and accessories. POP (now part of Stanley Black & Decker) is synonymous with blind rivets and rivet guns in the U.S. For industrial gear, Huck and Avdel provide specialty fastening systems used in aerospace and heavy equipment.

Choosing the right rivet size and material for the job

Rivet selection matters as much as the tool. Blind rivets come in diameters like 1/16 in, 3/32 in, 1/8 in, 3/16 in, and 1/4 in and lengths in fractions of an inch to suit material thickness. Aluminum rivets match aluminum parts to avoid galvanic corrosion, while stainless steel rivets are best for strength and rust resistance. If you’re fastening sheet metal that’s about 1/16 in thick each, a 3/32 in rivet might be perfect; thicker stacks demand larger diameters. Always match rivet material to the substrates to prevent failures over time.

Accessories and consumables you’ll want on hand

Stocking the right accessories keeps your project flowing. Carry assortments of blind rivets in varying diameters and lengths in inches, spare mandrels, extra jaws, and a few specialty rivet nuts in standard thread sizes like 1/4-20. A small bottle of light machine oil for pneumatic connections and a set of spare seals can prevent downtime. Also, a magnetic tray and a tray for used mandrels make cleanup faster and safer.

Maintenance tips to extend the life of your rivet tools

Maintaining a rivet gun is straightforward but pays off. Wipe down tools after use, replace worn jaws before they damage rivets, and keep pneumatic fittings tight and oiled with a couple drops of compressor oil. Store battery tools at room temperature and keep batteries charged between 40% and 80% for longer lifespan. For hand tools, occasional lubrication at pivot points and replacing rubber grips can cut fatigue and improve control on long jobs.

Budget vs professional purchases: where to invest more

Deciding where to spend comes down to frequency and tolerance for downtime. If you rivet once or twice a year for home projects, go with a well-reviewed hand or budget battery riveter from Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Harbor Freight. If you rivet every day or work on thicker materials, invest in name-brand pneumatic or battery tools from Northern Tool, Grainger, or a specialty supplier. The cost difference often pays for itself in fewer replacements and smoother performance. Think of it as buying a reliable car vs a cheap commuter — both get you there, but one does it with less stress.

Where to find parts, training, and community help

Beyond retailers, forums and maker communities are gold mines for tips. YouTube channels and trade forums show real-world demonstrations of rivet techniques and tool teardown for maintenance. Local trade schools or community colleges sometimes offer short welding and metal-joining classes that include riveting basics. For specialized parts like custom mandrels or tool repairs, industrial suppliers such as Grainger or MSC Industrial are usually able to source exact-fit replacements measured in inches.

Simple projects to practice riveting skills

Want to build confidence? Start small. Make a metal planter box from 0.05 in sheet aluminum, join two 1/8 in aluminum brackets for a shelf, or repair a backyard tool cart with rivets instead of bolts. Another fun project is making a metal sign that uses rivets for a vintage look — think of rivets like punctuation marks that add character and strength. These quick jobs let you learn rivet spacing, rivet selection by thickness in inches, and proper compression without commitment to a big build.

Shopping smart for riveting tools means balancing tool type, frequency of use, and material compatibility. Whether you’re a DIYer buying a hand riveter at Ace Hardware or a contractor investing in a battery-powered riveter from Northern Tool, the U.S. market has options to match any need and budget. With the right tool, the correct rivet size, and a little practice, your joints will be clean, strong, and built to last.

Final checklist before you buy

Before checking out, ask yourself a few quick questions: How often will I use this tool? What rivet diameters and materials do I need? Do I prefer cordless freedom or the constant power of a pneumatic setup? Also, verify that replacement jaws and mandrels are available — these small parts make a big difference if you use the tool frequently. A little planning prevents a lot of frustration later.

Conclusion: Investing time in the right riveting tool and picking the right retailer will save you hours of work and frustration. Whether you’re repairing, fabricating, or crafting, the U.S. has plenty of places to buy the tools and parts you need — from neighborhood Ace stores to industrial suppliers like Grainger. Take your pick based on how often you work, the materials you join, and how much comfort and speed you want from the job.