Copper Rivet Peening Problem

[quirtevans]

I have good luck just using the chunk of granite countertop that I use for my tooling (if you can call it that!)

Then I trim the post a bit with an end nipper, and sometimes use a small file to smooth it out.....

[Nuttish]

Try a 1 lb or less brass blacksmithing hammer with the face dressed to be slightly convex. Peening rivets through leather is still ... cold forging.

[Ken Cook]

I like the Pig Skin under the rivet head idea.

[footrat]

I peen with the flat of the rivet directly on my granite slab. For thick folds, such as around buckles and whatnot, the alignment is tougher, so I might have to hang part of the piece off the edge of the slab to make sure I'm still setting and peening straight up and down. Any odd angles will make thick leather shift and lead to bent shafts on the rivets. You'll end up with the flat of the rivet digging in on one edge and sitting high on the other.

[Kevin]

One more hint, make the hole small enough that you have to force the rivet through it, this holds the rivet still while you work. Try holding a rivet between your fingers and peen it and you'll see what I'm talking about.

[earlthegoat2]

Ive never had a problem using using my 4" thick piece of granite that I also use for tooling. Why is everyone suggesting metal? I exclusively use copper rivets so I have done a few.