Blind Rivets
What are Blind Rivets?
Blind rivets—often called pop rivets—are two-piece fasteners used when you can only access one side of the workpiece. A rivet tool pulls a mandrel to expand the rivet body inside a tight hole, clamping the materials together. They’re common in sheet-metal fabrication, automotive and trailers, HVAC, marine, cabinetry, appliances, and general manufacturing.
How do Blind Rivets work?
Drill a hole through the materials, insert the rivet, and pull the mandrel with a rivet tool. The mandrel deforms the body to flare behind the joint; when design load is reached, the mandrel snaps at its break point, leaving a set rivet that resists vibration and loosening.
How to choose the right Blind Rivet size
- Grip range: Match the rivet’s rated grip range to the total stack thickness (all layers).
- Diameter & hole size: Use a tight hole—typically the rivet diameter plus a small clearance. Check the specific part’s drill size.
- Head style: Dome (general purpose), countersunk (flush finish), large flange (spreads load on thin/soft materials).
- Materials: Aluminum (lightweight), steel (economy strength), stainless steel (corrosion resistance), copper (ductility/appearance). Match fastener and workpiece metals to reduce galvanic corrosion.
- Performance features: Multi-grip (wider thickness range), closed-end (sealing), structural (higher shear/tensile), tri-fold/peel (load-spreading in soft substrates).
Common sizes, materials & finishes
- Popular diameters (inch): 1/8, 5/32, 3/16, 1/4.
- Typical grip ranges: roughly from 1/16 in to 1/2 in+, depending on diameter/style.
- Head styles: dome, 100° countersunk, large flange.
- Bodies & mandrels: aluminum, steel, stainless; color-matched heads available for visible installations.
Typical applications & industries
- HVAC ducts, plenums, and housings
- Automotive, truck bodies, trailers, and RV interiors
- Marine hardware and cabinetry
- Electrical enclosures and control panels
- Gutters, downspouts, siding, architectural panels and signage
- Appliances, displays, and general fabrication
Installation & best practices
- Measure total stack thickness; pick a rivet whose grip range covers it.
- Drill square, deburr both sides. Use the recommended drill size for the rivet.
- Insert from the finished side and support the joint to avoid pillowing.
- Pull the mandrel until it snaps. Avoid over-pulling which can distort thin sheet.
- For sealing, use closed-end rivets and/or appropriate sealant.
- Do not: oversize holes, exceed grip range, or mix dissimilar metals without corrosion control.
Common issues & quick fixes
- Rivet spins in hole → Hole too large or material too hard/soft; choose a larger diameter or a large-flange/countersunk style.
- Pull-through on thin/soft materials → Use large-flange or tri-fold/peel types; add a backing washer if appropriate.
- Loose joint after setting → Rivet outside its grip range or hole not deburred; re-select size and reinstall.
- Leaks → Use closed-end rivets and correct hole size; seal edges as needed.
- Mandrel head left proud → Incorrect tool stroke or rivet; verify tool and part spec.
What drill size for common diameters?
| Nominal rivet diameter | Recommended hole size (in) | Common drill size |
|---|---|---|
| 1/8 in | 0.129–0.133 | #30 |
| 5/32 in | 0.160–0.164 | #20 |
| 3/16 in | 0.192–0.196 | #11 |
| 1/4 in | 0.257–0.261 | Letter F |
Why buy Blind Rivets from AlbanyCountyFasteners.com
- Broad selection of diameters, grip ranges, head styles, and materials.
- Options for closed-end, large-flange, tri-fold/peel, multi-grip, structural, and colored heads.
- Fast shipping, bulk pricing, and contractor-friendly quantities.
- USA-based support with practical product guidance.
- Stainless-focused catalog for corrosion-resistant builds.
Blind Rivets FAQ
Measure total stack thickness and choose a rivet whose grip range covers it; then select the smallest diameter that delivers the needed strength.
Use the drill size specified for the exact rivet; as a rule, a tight hole slightly over the rivet diameter gives best clamp and retention.
Large flange spreads load on thin/soft materials, countersunk sits flush for smooth surfaces, and tri-fold/peel spreads load behind brittle or soft substrates.
They’re designed to seal the rivet body for splash and weather exposure; for best results combine with the correct hole size and sealant when needed.
Structural designs retain and lock more of the mandrel to boost shear/tensile strength for heavy-duty joints; standard types suit general sheet-metal fastening.
Match fastener and base metals when possible; otherwise isolate with coatings, washers, or sealants and avoid trapping moisture.
The hole may be oversized, the rivet outside its grip range, or the joint not supported. Re-size the hole, choose a different style/diameter, and reinstall.