A hand riveter squeezes a blind rivet so that its mandrel snaps and the body flares behind the work. It joins sheet metal, gutters, leather and heavy fabric from one side. The main choices are the rivet sizes the nosepieces cover, the handle length and whether you use one hand or two.
The six tools below range from a compact one-handed gun to a 13 inch two-handed model for 1/4 inch rivets. Sizes, weights and materials come from each listing and are the makers’ own claims. We have not used these tools ourselves. Where a listing gives odd or missing data, we say so.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Rivet sizes | Most cover 3/32 to 3/16 inch; larger rivets need a longer tool |
| Handle length | Longer handles give more leverage with less hand force |
| Nosepieces | Tool-free changes save time between sizes |
| Kit contents | Rivets, drill bits and a case add up if you are building a kit from scratch |
| Body material | Steel and die-cast aluminum differ in weight |
Specs at a Glance
| Tool | Sizes listed | Weight listed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrow RT188M | 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16 in | 1.28 lb | One-handed; four color-coded nose grips; tool only |
| LIBRATON kit | 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16 in | 1.61 lb | All-steel; 80 aluminum rivets (20 per size) |
| Marson HP-2 | Not stated | 1 lb | Aluminum alloy body; forged steel upper handle |
| VEVOR kit | 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16 in | 2.49 lb | 200 rivets; 4 drill bits; carrying case |
| AKKTOL 13 in | 3/32 up to 1/4 in | 3.36 lb | Two-handed; 5 nosepieces; 210 rivets |
| Kerry 9.6 in | 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16 in | 1.85 lb | Die-cast aluminum body; 200 rivets; jam remover |
The 6 Best Hand Riveters
1. Arrow RT188M One-Handed Pop Rivet Gun
A one-handed riveter with four color-coded nose grips that screw in by hand for 3/32, 1/8, 5/32 and 3/16 inch rivets. The maker lists a rust-resistant powder coating on a lightweight steel body, a spring-loaded grip with a handle lock and an anti-slip handle. The listing weight is 1.28 pounds. The product dimensions show 1 x 1 x 1 inches, which is clearly a placeholder, and no rivets are listed in the box.
Suits: gutters, sheet metal and light repair. Strengths: tool-free size changes and a handle lock. Weaknesses: placeholder dimensions and no rivets listed. Skip it if you want rivets in the box.
2. LIBRATON Heavy Duty Rivet Gun Kit
An all-steel hand riveter with a heat-treated carbon steel handle, thick PVC grips and four interchangeable heads from 3/32 to 3/16 inch stored on the handle. The kit contains 80 aluminum rivets, 20 for each size. The listing gives the weight as 1.61 pounds and lists uses from automotive and HVAC work to furniture.
Suits: a first kit for metal and heavy fabric. Strengths: heads stored on the handle and rivets in the box. Weaknesses: only 80 rivets. Skip it if you need more than 3/16 inch.
View LIBRATON Heavy Duty Rivet Gun Kit, Pop Rivet Gun with Hand Riveter Tool on Amazon
3. Sherman Marson 39000 HP-2 Professional Hand Riveter
A professional hand riveter with a high-strength aluminum alloy body and a drop-forged carbon steel upper handle. The maker describes a square shoulder fulcrum pin of heat-treated steel meant to stop pin rotation, plus cushion-molded vinyl grips. It weighs 1 pound by the listing. The page gives no rivet size range, so confirm the sizes with the maker.
Suits: repeated shop work. Strengths: a light, simple build and a named pin design. Weaknesses: no sizes or rivets listed. Skip it if you want a ready-made kit.
View Sherman Marson 39000 HP-2 Professional Hand Riveter on Amazon
4. VEVOR Pop Rivet Gun Kit with 200 Blind Rivets
A single-hand riveter made of die-cast aluminum alloy and heat-treated steel with a thick PVC grip. The kit adds four tool-free nosepieces (3/32 to 3/16 inch), 200 rivets with 50 per size, a removal nozzle, four drill bits and a carrying case. The maker says the tool disassembles quickly to clear jams. The Model field reads “Rivet Nut Tool Kit”, which does not match the title, so the page is inconsistent there.
Suits: a full kit for a toolbox. Strengths: drill bits, case and a large rivet supply. Weaknesses: a mismatched model field. Skip it if you want the lightest tool.
5. AKKTOL 1/4 in Pop Rivet Gun Kit, 13 in Two-Handed
A two-handed riveter with 13 inch handles for extra leverage, built from steel the maker lists as 0.1 inch thick. It comes with five nosepieces covering 3/32 to 1/4 inch and 210 blind rivets in a plastic container, and the nosepieces change without a wrench. The listing weight is 3.36 pounds.
Suits: larger rivets in thick metal. Strengths: a 1/4 inch capability and long leverage. Weaknesses: the heaviest and longest tool here. Skip it if you work in tight spots.
6. Kerry 9.6 in Pop Rivet Gun Kit
A hand riveter with an extended 9.6 inch handle, a die-cast aluminum body and a soft TPR grip. The maker says the longer handle gives 70 percent more leverage, which we cannot verify. Four nosepieces (3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16 inch) twist and lock, and the kit includes 200 aluminum rivets and a jam remover. It weighs 1.85 pounds by the listing.
Suits: general metal and craft riveting. Strengths: a mid-length handle with rivets and a remover. Weaknesses: the leverage claim is the maker’s. Skip it if you need 1/4 inch rivets.
View Kerry 9.6″ Pop Rivet Gun Kit, Extended Handle with 200 Aluminum Rivets on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Pick the nosepiece that matches the rivet diameter.
- Drill a hole sized for the rivet before you set it.
- Wear eye protection, since the mandrel snaps off under load.
- Wipe the jaws and store spare nosepieces where they will not be lost.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a tool that stops at 3/16 inch when you need 1/4 inch rivets.
- Drilling the hole too large for the rivet.
- Using a rivet that is too short for the stack of material.
- Confusing rivet guns with rivet nut tools, which are a different tool.
Hand Riveter FAQ
Which riveter handles the largest rivets here?
The AKKTOL lists nosepieces up to 1/4 inch. The others list 3/16 inch at most, or give no range.
Do all of these include rivets?
No. The Arrow and the Marson list none. The LIBRATON includes 80, the VEVOR 200, the AKKTOL 210 and the Kerry 200.
The Short Version
For a compact one-handed tool, the Arrow. For a small first kit, the LIBRATON. For a plain professional build, the Marson. For a full kit with a case, the VEVOR. For 1/4 inch rivets, the AKKTOL. For a mid-length handle, the Kerry.