Tools For Cutting Copper Rivet Posts

[CustomDoug]

What are you guys using for cutting down the length of copper rivet posts before setting them with a hammer? I've been using a relatively small set of nipping pliers. But it's always been a struggle at best, and I haven't done many at all. Will mostly be using #12 rivets. I'll be going to Harbor Freight at some point this week - would they have something that would work?

Edited November 30, 2013 by CustomDoug

[Northmount]

Regular diagonal cutters work. The end nippers work nice too! Get longer handles if they are giving you problems with #12.

Tom

[JLSleather]

^{It's just copper ... a wire cutter will do it.}

[camano ridge]

End nippers are what i use. I put the cutters down against the burr and it cuts at just about the right height. They are about 6- 10.00 depending on where you get them Harbor freight does have them. Mine are from home depot. One trick I learned is not to cut them in one cut. I take a partial cut then rotate the nipper around the rivet and take another partial cut rotate again a little and cut through. Only take a few extra seconds. It setsw it up so that it will peen nicely and the stub will be ncely rounded.

[Chief31794]

I use a large set of end cutters as well, snips them off leaving a small amount above the washer, just the right amount to peen down and dome for good looking rivets. I use the No 9 Rivets and I haven't been able to cut them with diagonal cutters, I bought my end cutter at Lowes in the tool area. Get the longest ones, mine are about 14" long.

Chief

[CustomDoug]

... One trick I learned is not to cut them in one cut. I take a partial cut then rotate the nipper around the rivet and take another partial cut rotate again a little and cut through. Only take a few extra seconds. It setsw it up so that it will peen nicely and the stub will be ncely rounded.

That's a good tip, thanks.

[CustomDoug]

OK, I'd been using end nippers but I guess they are just too short handled for the #12s.. I'll see if I can find a pair with a particularly long handle - 'cause I like the idea of not having to guess where along the stud to make the cut. I suppose hardened steel or some kind of hardening process is important too (assuming they're not all done this way now)? Heck.. I'll get a set of the side cutters too, probably dirt cheap at HF. Thanks for the input guys.

[Double U Leather]

I use an old pair of hoof nippers that are too dull for the horses. Talk to someone who has horses, and you can probably get a pair of old hoof nippers given to you. And, they work great.

[SLudlow]

Small pair of bolt cutters for me.

[Tree Reaper]

Buy the length you need and that problem is solved.

[awharnessshop]

Knipex nail nippers! You get them from the farrier supplies store! They hammer through the #9 like nothing!