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.

Instructions

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.

Judy Larson's Using a Tile to Cut Rivets - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Tools, Riveted copper sheet flower

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

Pro Tip: 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!

Judy Larson's Using a Tile to Cut Rivets - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Tools, Copper sheet flower

Judy Larson's Using a Tile to Cut Rivets - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Tools, Placing the copper rivet

Step 3: Flat Head Stem Rivets -

Pro Tip: 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.

Judy Larson's Using a Tile to Cut Rivets - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Tools, Holding copper rivet in place

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.

Judy Larson's Using a Tile to Cut Rivets - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Tools, Using tile to measure rivet for cutting

C: Remove the tile.

Balled Head Rivets -

Pro Tip: 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.

Judy Larson's Using a Tile to Cut Rivets - , Metalwork, How To Punch Holes, Hole Punching, Punch A Hole, Riveting, Riveting Techniques, Wire Rivets, Tools, Setting ball head copper rivet

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.

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.

Materials

Sheet

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12mm Copper Rivet - Pack of 25

A5-512

Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $1.99
Gold Club Price: $1.49

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Tools

C.H.P Milano Italian Flush Cutter, 5 1/2 Inches

PLR-487.00

PLR-487.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $16.97
Gold Club Price: $12.73

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Riveting Hammer

HAM-200.00

HAM-200.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
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
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $13.95
Gold Club Price: $10.46

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1 Inch Baby Bench Vise with Fixed Base - Clamp Type

G10-8

G10-8
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $7.98
Gold Club Price: $5.98

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Steel Riveting Block

ANV-120.00

ANV-120.00
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $49.95
Gold Club Price: $37.46

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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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DELUXE 4 HOLE METAL PUNCH

PUN-420.04

PUN-420.04
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $64.95
Gold Club Price: $48.71

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7 Piece Mini TruStrike Hammer Set with Stand

HAM-520.70

HAM-520.70
Lesson Quantity: 1.00 pieces
Purchase Quantity: 1.00 each
Price: $140.54
Gold Club Price: $105.40

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Category: Metalwork
Technique(s): Hole Punching, Riveting, 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!