Micro Copper Burr Rivets - A Solution

[Stagesmith]

I mostly make leather knife sheaths and I was trying to find a compact rivet to end the stitch lines.

I like copper burr rivets, but the smallest available are still way too large.

I have found a solution that works for me.

Amazon sells assortments of metric copper rivets in flat-head and round-head versions.

The range is 2mm, 2.5mm and 3mm shaft sizes

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNCSHG3T

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CNCT42XG

I found the washers on McMaster Carr.

They are sold as #1, #2, and #3 copper flat washers

https://www.mcmaster.com/97565A111/

https://www.mcmaster.com/97565A112/

https://www.mcmaster.com/93661A112/

I made my own rivet sets by just end drilling some pieces of 1/4" round steel rod.

You will need a #44, a #40 and a #31 drill bits.

I think mild steel is fine as these will only get light use.

I will probably make some matching doming tools by using a diamond ball bit

in a dremel to carve little domes in some harder steel rod.

[fredk]

Excellent you found a solition for your needs

For a doming tool; before you cut one, there are doming setters meant for ready-rivets which have a domed head already. I have the domed setters in sizes from 4mm to 12mm in 1mm steps 

[Stagesmith]

I found the set of doming tools on Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6724Z62

$30 is worth my time to just buy them.

[TomE]

Innovative solution and good looking results. Thanks for posting this information. 

[Stagesmith]

The 2.5mm and 3mm washers do clinch onto the rivet shaft just like Burr Rivets.

The 2mm washers are just a tiny bit too large on the ID, so they don't clinch, but I didn't find that made it any harder to use.

If you bop the washer sideways with a tiny hammer, it can distort the hole enough so it does grab the rivet shaft.