Using Tiles on Tube Rivets and Eyelets

by Judy Larson

Today we finish up our series of Tips from Judy Larson on Eyelet and Rivet Tools: Tip #3: Make a Tube Spreader Tool & #4 is How to Use the Tile and Nails on Rivets and Eyelets. These two tips go hand in hand!

Instructions

Tip #3: Make a Tube Spreader Tool:

Step 1: Find a few nails that are larger in diameter than the tube of the rivets and eyelets you use most often. Many local lumberyards sell nails, purchased by the pound, in bins. You should be able to purchase a few for just pennies.

Judy Larson's Using Tiles on Tube Rivets and Eyelets - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Design, Tools, Nails

Step 2: File tips of the nails to a shallow sharp point and you will have an instant tube rivet and eyelet setting tool. These were ground down on an electric grindstone in the shop, but you could use a file. It will just take longer. Note: You cannot use nails right out of the box. The tips are not round and the point is too long.

Tip #4: How to Use The Tile and Nails On Tube Rivets and Eyelets:

Step 1: Punch the appropriate size holes in the pieces you will be attaching your rivets or eyelets to.

Step 2: You may want to make the hole a bit larger if your rivet or eyelet does not fit. In this particular leftover fold formed piece, there was a hole caused when dimpling pliers broke through the metal. A bead reamer was used to make the hole large enough to fit a small brass 3mm eyelet or domed head rivet with a tube style back.

Step 3: Place the tube rivet or eyelet through the pieces you are securing it to. Then put two tiles on the rivet using the hole that best fits. Use a file the file off the excess tube until it is flush with, and not more than a hair above, with the tile. Do not cut the tube with a flush cutter. It will squash the sides together.

Pro Tip: Note: In the following step, if you use a bench block under your piece when using a hammer with your tool to spread out the tube on the back of your piece, the face or your rivet or eyelet will be flattened out. The face of your rivets and eyelets will not be as easily damaged or flattened if you use a notepad or magazine instead of a bench block.

Step 4: Place the tip of the nail in the tube on the back of the rivet or eyelet. Gently hammer the nail until the tube starts to spread out. Once the top of the tube is spread enough that it cannot be removed from the hole, you can then use a domed face or ball hammer to finish spreading the tube out and flatten it.

Hint: A 1.8mm hole punch is not quite large enough for small diameter tube rivets and eyelets. Use a bead reamer to make the hole slightly larger.

Hint: Rivet and eyelet setters are a good investment if you will be using a lot of eyelets and tube rivets in your jewelry

Materials

Sheet

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12mm Copper Rivet - Pack of 25

A5-512

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
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Price: $1.99
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Tools

Deluxe 3-Hole Punch

PUN-420.03

PUN-420.03
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $58.97
Gold Club Price: $44.23

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Euro Tool Metal Hole Punch Pliers, 1.8 Millimeters

PLR-133.50

PLR-133.50
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Price: $11.98
Gold Club Price: $8.98

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Cordless Bead Reamer

HDP-380.00

HDP-380.00
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Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $11.97
Gold Club Price: $8.98

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Riveting Hammer

HAM-200.00

HAM-200.00
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Price: $24.97
Gold Club Price: $18.73

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Chasing Hammer with Wooden Handle, 1 1/8 Inch Face

G3-27

G3-27
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Price: $13.95
Gold Club Price: $10.46

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Bench Block Helper with Steel and Nylon Blocks

DAP-500.30

DAP-500.30
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Price: $29.95
Gold Club Price: $22.46

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6 Piece Assorted File Set with Wooden Handle

G14-7

G14-7
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Price: $5.57
Gold Club Price: $4.18

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Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Hole Punching, Riveting, Design, Tools

Reviews

Judy Larson

My philosophy has always been "I will never live long enough to learn everything I want to learn, go everywhere I want to go and see everything I want to see!" So, what I make and how I create it is always changing and evolving. I was born shortly after WWII to parents who grew up during the Depression. They always had a "we can do it, we can make it" attitude which rubbed off on my two younger brothers and me. My brothers are amazing and can make and do ANYTHING! When I was a little girl, my mother gave me an old carved cigar box, which I cherish, filled with pop beads, wooden beads and yarn for stringing. That was the beginning of my jewelry making journey.

On a visit to the Grand Canyon when I was a young woman, I was fortunate enough to help a Native American silversmith sand cast my first silver bracelet and bezel set a large turquoise nugget on top. I was in love, hook, line and sinker! While working full time and having a family here in northern Minnesota, my artistic endeavors slowed down but never stopped. I am an artist, scrapbooker, seamstress, woodworker and jewelry artisan. Now that I am retired, I am able to indulge in all my hobbies. However, there just never seems to be enough time in the day to do it all, but I try!

I have been teaching community education beginner and intermediate jewelry making classes since my retirement. Many of my students have been bitten so hard by the jewelry making bug that they say I have turned them into monsters-they just can't get enough. Making jewelry, seeing something take shape from small bits and pieces, is so rewarding that I hope it brings out the "monster" in you, too!