Have pop rivets/guns changed?

[AnthonyL]

I've got an old pop-rivet gun which worked perfectly well the last time I used it, maybe 1978.

Bought a selection of rivets the other day and there is no grip. So has the pin diameter changed with metrication? Or is my gun broken?

[Roger Mills]

Have you got any original rivets to compare with the new ones.

There are several sizes of pop rivet - with different shank diameters. The better guns have several nozzles, allowing you to fit the appropriate one for the rivets.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Don't think they have changed - assuming the same size rivet. But on mine the gripper mechanism is the same for all sizes - you just change the nozzle. I'd check the gripper hasn't seized.

[Rob Morley]

But the nozzles just press on the rivet head, they don't grip the nail.

[tabbypurr]

correct

the rivetter must, or it won't do anything useful. As said probably a sticking mechanism.

NT

[AnthonyL]

No

Yes the gun has 3 different nozzles.

[FMurtz]

They do have a connection with gripping, look at the taper on the end of the nozzle it is in a different place for each one,the taper acts on the gripping jaws

[FMurtz]

Try the right one for the rivet.

[AnthonyL]

Jeez I would never thought of that, I was using the left one.

[newshound]

Yup. Soak it in WD40.

[AnthonyL]

Well a combination of factors but a good spray of WD40 followed by some graphite oil once dried and lots of vigorous opening an closing, plus shoving a panel pin into the slightly corroded nozzle and after managing to get a couple of rivets in the whole gun started to smooth up nicely - job done.

Thanks to all who made sensible suggestions.

[newshound]

Sorry, you are quite right of course. The mechanical jiggling is a significant part of it.

I was just trying to get Tabs to bite:-)

[tabbypurr]

nice one. I much prefer fixing old tools to buying new - usually.

NT

[tabbypurr]

but you didn't provide a mouse

NT

[newshound]

I thought "fish oil" might be enough

[harry]

You'll probably find that the "gripper" bit has got crap/corrosion on it preventing it from biting on the rivet shank. Dismantle & clean up. They grip a wide range of sizes when working.