Rivet Nut Tools
Rivet nut tools to set M3 to M10 rivet nuts: a hand fastening kit with M3 to M6 mandrels, and drill attachments that turn a cordless drill into a nut riveter.
About the Rivet Nut Tools
Rivet nut tools set rivet nuts from one side to put a thread in vehicle body panels, chassis parts, sheet metal and tube where you cannot get a nut behind. There is a hand fastening kit with M3, M4, M5 and M6 mandrels, a case and 40 steel rivet nuts to start, and drill attachments that turn a drill or cordless drill into a nut riveter, for M3 to M6 or M6 to M10. Choose the tool above; the guide below covers hand kit or drill, setting a rivet nut and changing mandrels.
Also called rivnut tool, nutsert tool, nutsert gun, rivet nut gun or rivet nut installation tool.
Features
- Sets steel, stainless and aluminium rivet nuts
- Hand kit: M3 to M6 mandrels, case and starter rivet nuts
- Drill attachment: 1/4 inch hex shank, M3 to M6 or M6 to M10
- Interchangeable mandrels and nose pieces
Applications
- Vehicle body panels and chassis parts
- Sheet metal and fabrication
- Where there is no access for a nut
What a rivet nut tool does
A rivet nut (nutsert) is a threaded insert set from one side, like a pop rivet, to give a strong thread in sheet, tube and panels too thin to tap. The tool screws the rivet nut onto a threaded mandrel, then pulls the mandrel back so the body of the rivet nut collapses behind the sheet and clamps tight. Unwind the mandrel and the thread is ready for a bolt or screw.
Our tools set steel, stainless steel and aluminium rivet nuts. The rivet nuts themselves are on the rivet nut page.
Hand kit or drill attachment?
- Hand kit: no power needed, and it comes with a starter set of rivet nuts. A good fit for occasional jobs, repairs and work away from power.
- Drill attachments: fit most common drills and cordless drills, with a compact, durable aluminium housing. Choose M3 to M6 for small threads, M6 to M10 for heavier ones, or both to cover M3 to M10.
The three rivet nut tools we carry. Each is sold singly. Tap a number to show it in the selector above.
| Tool | Rivet nut sizes | How it is driven | In the box |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand fastening kit | M3, M4, M5, M6 | By hand: a two-handle setting tool | Heavy duty setting tool with mandrel spanner, M3 to M6 mandrels, 10 each of M3, M4, M5 and M6 steel rivet nuts, heavy duty storage case |
| Drill attachment M3 to M6 | M3, M4, M5, M6 | Drill or cordless drill, 1/4 inch hex shank | Attachment with nose pieces and mandrels for each size, side grip, wrench, Allen key |
| Drill attachment M6 to M10 | M6, M8, M10 | Drill or cordless drill, 1/4 inch hex shank | Attachment with nose pieces and mandrels for each size, side grip, wrench, Allen key |
How to use a rivet nut drill attachment
The attachment comes assembled. Fit the nose piece and mandrel that match your rivet nut first: for an M4 rivet nut, use the M4 mandrel, marked on the mandrel's flange nut.
- Put the 1/4 inch hex shank in the drill chuck and tighten it.
- Fit the side grip on the hex halfway up the body, switch the drill to reverse and pull the trigger until it clicks.
- Screw the rivet nut onto the mandrel.
- Push the rivet nut into the pre-drilled hole. Set the drill to no more than 1,000 RPM.
- Hold the body handle in one hand, set the drill to forward and pull the trigger to set the rivet nut.
- Switch to reverse and pull the trigger to release, then turn the attachment body anticlockwise by hand to free the mandrel from the set rivet nut.
Changing nose pieces and mandrels
- Undo the nose piece anticlockwise with the supplied wrench.
- Undo the nose housing anticlockwise with an adjustable wrench (not supplied). Take care: it is under spring pressure. Take out the spring and set it aside.
- Wind the tool anticlockwise to extend the mandrel, undo the Allen key beneath it, and unscrew the mandrel.
- Screw in the new mandrel, tighten it with the wrench, and re-tighten the Allen key to lock it.
- Wind the mandrel back in, refit the spring over the mandrel, and screw the nose housing back on, tightening it clockwise with the adjustable wrench. Then fit the matching nose piece with the supplied wrench.
Using the hand kit
Hobson publishes no step by step guide for the hand kit; these are the general steps for a hand rivet nut tool.
- Fit the mandrel for your rivet nut size (M3, M4, M5 or M6) using the mandrel spanner.
- Screw the rivet nut onto the mandrel until it sits against the nose.
- Push it into a clean, deburred hole of the right size, head flat on the sheet.
- Squeeze the handles to pull the thread up and set the rivet nut.
- Unwind the mandrel out of the set rivet nut.
Hole size and grip range
The hole size and the sheet thickness a rivet nut can clamp (its grip range) depend on the rivet nut, not the tool. The rivet nut page lists hole sizes and grip ranges for the zinc plated flat head range.
Rivet nut tools in Adelaide
Allmat supplies rivet nut tools, rivet nuts and pop rivets to fabricators and trade across Adelaide and South Australia. Add the tool to a quote with your rivet nuts and the rest of your list, and we will price the lot.
Rivet nut tools for fabrication and vehicle work
The rivet nut hand kit and drill attachments are available to order from Allmat for fabricators, auto electricians, body builders and trade across Adelaide and South Australia. Order through Allmat, we pick and pack it, then click and collect from the Allmat yard or have it delivered to site.
Goes with
Questions
What is a nutsert tool?
Another name for a rivet nut tool: a hand tool or drill attachment that sets threaded rivet nuts (nutserts) from one side of the sheet.
Can I use a cordless drill as a rivet nut gun?
Yes, with a rivet nut drill attachment. It has a 1/4 inch hex shank that fits most drills and cordless drills. Keep the drill at or below 1,000 RPM.
What sizes do your rivet nut tools cover?
M3 to M10. The hand kit and the smaller drill attachment cover M3, M4, M5 and M6; the larger drill attachment covers M6, M8 and M10.
What comes in the rivet nut hand kit?
A heavy duty setting tool with mandrel spanner, interchangeable M3, M4, M5 and M6 mandrels, 40 steel rivet nuts (10 of each size) and a heavy duty storage case.
Do the tools work with stainless and aluminium?
Yes. Both the hand kit and the drill attachments set steel, stainless steel and aluminium rivet nuts.
How do I change the mandrel size?
On the drill attachment, remove the nose piece with the supplied wrench and the nose housing with an adjustable wrench (not supplied), set the spring aside, release the Allen key under the mandrel, swap the mandrel, lock it, and refit the housing and the matching nose piece. On the hand kit, swap mandrels with the mandrel spanner.
Where can I buy a rivet nut tool in Adelaide?
Order through Allmat. Order ahead by phone on 1300 03 03 63 or send your list for a quote, then click and collect from 25 Kapara Road, Gillman, or have them delivered to site.
Rivet Nut Tools: sizes and finishes we supply
3 lines by type and finish. Pick one above for its product code and pack sizes.
| Type | Finish | Rivet nut sizes | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drill attachment | Steel | M3-M6, M6-M10 | 2 |
| Hand tool kit | Steel | M3-M6 | 1 |
Data sheets and documents
The documents for the product you choose are listed with the selector above. Here is every Rivet Nut Tools document from Hobson Engineering.
All Rivet Nut Tools documents (3)
Data sheets and technical data (1)
Did You Know flyers (2)
Need them in bulk?
Add the sizes you need to your quote, or send us your list and we’ll price the lot and supply it with the rest of your order.
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