Solid Rivets

[bustedlifter]

I use tubular rivets on my seats and on most of my projects. The ends mushroom out really well and you can use a small washer on the end to be peened when joining two pieces of leather. They should have them at your local hardware store. They are El Fantastico!

[NoahL]

I use tubular rivets on my seats and on most of my projects. The ends mushroom out really well and you can use a small washer on the end to be peened when joining two pieces of leather. They should have them at your local hardware store. They are El Fantastico!

Are they smooth enough on the back for belts, do you think? If they would be strong enough and aren't going to tear up dress pants, then that would probably work if my brother can't get me any of the burr-style steel rivets.

[bustedlifter]

Are they smooth enough on the back for belts, do you think? If they would be strong enough and aren't going to tear up dress pants, then that would probably work if my brother can't get me any of the burr-style steel rivets.

Yes. The ones I've been getting lately ,mushroom out nice and smooth and they are very strong! The older ones split when they were peened but they really didn't catch on anything. I use a rivet setting tool to peen them. I think if you try them out you will be most happy with them. There are stainless steel ones available also, but they're kind of pricey.

Edited May 6, 2009 by bustedlifter

[NoahL]

Yes. The ones I've been getting lately ,mushroom out nice and smooth and they are very strong! The older ones split when they were peened but they really didn't catch on anything. I use a rivet setting tool to peen them. I think if you try them out you will be most happy with them. There are stainless steel ones available also, but they're kind of pricey.

Well that sounds lovely! A rivet setter I have, but I had thought I would need an eyelet setter for those. I'm still hoping to get some of those solid burr rivets from my brother, but he takes a long time to get me things sometimes, so this may very well work out in the meantime. Where are you getting yours?

[bustedlifter]

Well that sounds lovely! A rivet setter I have, but I had thought I would need an eyelet setter for those. I'm still hoping to get some of those solid burr rivets from my brother, but he takes a long time to get me things sometimes, so this may very well work out in the meantime. Where are you getting yours?

You're correct, it is an eyelet setter. I buy them at local hardware stores like Do It Best or Ace. The big box stores don't have them. They're in the specialty fastener bins in the same aisle as the stainless steel nuts and bolts.

[skip]

I am really confused why or what paticurly are you riviting? if you are putting in a buckle why not just use chicago screws? they are crome plated, or come in brass. now if you are doing special belts and are looking for somthing different to put on the belts perhaps Ohio Travel bag would have something that you would like. if you use steel if they get wet they will turn the leather black. and aluminium flakes off so it looks like the leather has a lot of grey junk on it. still wondering what you are actually using the rivets for?

[NoahL]

You're correct, it is an eyelet setter. I buy them at local hardware stores like Do It Best or Ace. The big box stores don't have them. They're in the specialty fastener bins in the same aisle as the stainless steel nuts and bolts.

Thanks! I may have to go take a look, then.

I am really confused why or what paticurly are you riviting? if you are putting in a buckle why not just use chicago screws? they are crome plated, or come in brass. now if you are doing special belts and are looking for somthing different to put on the belts perhaps Ohio Travel bag would have something that you would like. if you use steel if they get wet they will turn the leather black. and aluminium flakes off so it looks like the leather has a lot of grey junk on it. still wondering what you are actually using the rivets for?

Really the only reason I don't use Chicago screws is that I'm paranoid about anything that screws in--I'm always afraid they will come loose. I know I could use LocTite or JB Weld, but I'm still paranoid . And yes, I was planning on using them for belts, but I have a particular kind in mind--a sort of ring-cinch belt, which by its design seems like it would put a bit more stress on the stitching or rivets holding the ring on. I don't have anything against using something that's brass, I'm just a fan of silvery colors rather than gold, so nickel-plated works just fine. I know that steel will turn the leather black, but that's what my batch of vinegaroon is for--I don't mind brass on brown leather, but I prefer nickel-colored metals on black. I know I'm too paranoid, and probably too picky, but I figured that it couldn't hurt to see if those were out there. It turns out that my brother was wrong--they have steel pop rivets and copper burr rivets, and he mixed the two in his head when I asked about them. I can get solid steel, titanium, or aluminum rivets from Rapid Rivet, but they don't respond to my e-mails well, so they haven't told me if they also sell washers that will fit them, and I suspect they have a minimum order requirement that I wouldn't be able to meet. It looks like Chicago screws and tubular rivets it is . Thanks for everyone's help!

[esantoro]

Get some nickeled solid brass chicago screws and use blue loctite. They will not come off unless someone takes a screwdriver to them. Use the red loctite if you never want them to come apart, though I think you could use a small amount of red loctite for a happy middle ground.

ed

Thanks! I may have to go take a look, then.

Really the only reason I don't use Chicago screws is that I'm paranoid about anything that screws in--I'm always afraid they will come loose. I know I could use LocTite or JB Weld, but I'm still paranoid . And yes, I was planning on using them for belts, but I have a particular kind in mind--a sort of ring-cinch belt, which by its design seems like it would put a bit more stress on the stitching or rivets holding the ring on. I don't have anything against using something that's brass, I'm just a fan of silvery colors rather than gold, so nickel-plated works just fine. I know that steel will turn the leather black, but that's what my batch of vinegaroon is for--I don't mind brass on brown leather, but I prefer nickel-colored metals on black. I know I'm too paranoid, and probably too picky, but I figured that it couldn't hurt to see if those were out there. It turns out that my brother was wrong--they have steel pop rivets and copper burr rivets, and he mixed the two in his head when I asked about them. I can get solid steel, titanium, or aluminum rivets from Rapid Rivet, but they don't respond to my e-mails well, so they haven't told me if they also sell washers that will fit them, and I suspect they have a minimum order requirement that I wouldn't be able to meet. It looks like Chicago screws and tubular rivets it is . Thanks for everyone's help!

[Freedom]

something that hasn't been mentioned is The copper or brass rivets with a washer can be turned dark in color by using GunBluing...this leaves them a nice color. You can also use vinegaroon but the gun blue works real fast and is easy to use.

[NoahL]

something that hasn't been mentioned is The copper or brass rivets with a washer can be turned dark in color by using GunBluing...this leaves them a nice color. You can also use vinegaroon but the gun blue works real fast and is easy to use.

NOW I'm quite intrigued! I know that there are two types of bluing--cold bluing and hot bluing--but I don't know how to do either one. Can you point me to some tutorials? Thanks!