Using a Tile to Cut Rivets

By on March 3, 2017
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by Judy Ellis, Wirejewelry.com

Wire Jewelry Tip for March 3rd, 2017

Using a Tile to Cut Rivets

by Judy Larson

Today we continue our short series of tips from Judy Larson on Rivet and Eyelet Tools. Tip #3 – Cutting Rivets to Proper Length with a Tile.

Judy Says:

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Step 1: Use a 1.5mm hole punch to make a hole in the desired location on the piece. If your metal is thicker than 22 gauge, you should use a drill with a 1.5mm bit for metal. Note: All the rivets referred to here are 16 gauge.

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Step 2: Place the flat or balled head rivet through all the pieces, usually from the front side of your piece to the back.

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Note: Sometimes it is not easy cut the rivet off and then move the pieces to be connected to the tool you need to use to set the rivet without the whole thing falling apart. That is why you may find it easier to cut the rivet off after you set it on the tool and put the tile on the assembly, as follows. A tiny little rivet can be hard to find on the floor after it goes flying!

Step 3: Flat Head Stem Rivets –

Note: If the face of your piece is flat, then you can place your piece rivet side down on a bench block.

  • A: If the face of your piece is not flat, then the head of your rivet needs to sit on a drive pin punch clamped in a vise. Make sure that the rivet head is flat on the drive pin punch.

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  • B: Set the rivet tile over the rivet shank using the appropriate hole. Use a flush cutter to cut the rivet shank flush with the tile.

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  • C: Remove the tile.

Balled Head Rivets –

Note: If the face of your piece is flat, then you can place your piece rivet side down on a magazine or notepad.

  • A: If the face of your piece is not flat, then the ball needs to sit in the well of the nail set (described above) clamped in a vise.

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  • B: Set the rivet tile over the rivet shank using the appropriate hole. Make sure that the rivet shank follows a straight line up from the nail set. Use a flush cutter to cut the rivet shank flush with the tile.

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  • C: Remove the tile.

Step 4: Use the straight side or a cross pein hammer or a riveting hammer to mushroom out the top of the rivet, being careful to not hammer your metal back plate. The narrower side of a Mini TruStrike Sharp Designer Hammer may work, but the narrower the edge, the better. Lightly hammer in an “X” pattern, going one way then the other, making sure the hammer blows are perpendicular to the post. Continue until the post has flared enough that the assembly will not pull apart.

Step 5: Change to a flat faced hammer and finish flattening the post until it is flat to the back of the piece and smooth to the touch.

For more information on how to set Rivets – you can CLICK HERE for a great video on Beaducation.

I hope you find this tip helpful! For more great tips from Judy CLICK HERE!

Happy Wrapping!

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