Why Are My Rivets Deforming?

[JerseyFirefighter]

For some reason, no matter how I address this issue my double cap rivets constantly deform, and are 50/50 on holding tight. Background info: Using large double cap rivets with 5/16ths posts and a craftool 8105-00 setter kit with the concave setter. Im also setting on a large thick piece of granite on top of my workbench with very little flex. I get horribly inconsistent results. I have tried with the posts sticking out past the leather 1/8th of an inch, ive cut the post near flush with the leather. I have tried setting post side and setting cap side. I have also tried different setting pressures and have made certain the tool was straight when setting. Does the photo below give any indication as to what im doing incorrectly?

I have little issues setting rivets crudely (hammer to rivet head on granite slab for a flat finish however after the first hit I see a slight deformity and the second flattens it out just fine. Any help would he appreciated. I just dont trust rivets for securing two pieces together while I have these results (plus it looks pretty rough)

[JerseyFirefighter]

Sorry thought the pic uploaded

[electrathon]

The shape of the cap in your setting tool is not exactly the same shape as the rivet cap. Press it into the tool and the rivet tries to take the shape it is pressed into.

[JerseyFirefighter]

I suspected the tool might have been a problem, I had thought using the large tandy rivets with a tandy setter kit would be a pretty good match. Any recommendations for either a universal setter for large/medium double caps or two specofic sizes? I dont want to even look at a deformed rivet ever again! thanks for your insight.

[electrathon]

No good answer here. You will find that this happens sometimes even from order to order, determining who the particular supplier is. I have experienced this same issue. The issue is the snap is flatter than the setter cap, so the snap top stretches when pressed in.

[TinkerTailor]

My guess is that you haven't put enough force on it. By the looks of the tiny circle on the top, the rivet shaft is barely deforming. It needs to mushroom out inside the cap to hold the rivet on. Try to go back in with your setter and hit it a few more times harder and see if this helps. This will also cause the rest of the cap to deform into the shape of the rivet set. The backside usually has a small divet but the cap side is nice for me. Also, steel rivets will need more force than solid brass ones.

[Art]

Block of Steel

Drill Hole bigger than cap about 1/2" or more deep

Optional -- mill 4 to 8 channels 1/4" long radially from hole

Fill hole (and channels if you did that) with JB Weld

Coat cap or head that you want to support with release agent, (Johnson's Paste Wax, Vaseline, WD-40, PAM, Silicone)

Press whatever you are making the anvil for into to JB Weld to where it will be flush

Let Dry

Pop out the Stud, or Button, or Rivet head or whatever

Touch up with Sandpaper, File, Whatever.

Use this (leave the JB Weld in the steel block) as your new anvil.

Art

[electrathon]

Block of Steel

Drill Hole bigger than cap about 1/2" or more deep

Optional -- mill 4 to 8 channels 1/4" long radially from hole

Fill hole (and channels if you did that) with JB Weld

Coat cap or head that you want to support with release agent, (Johnson's Paste Wax, Vaseline, WD-40, PAM, Silicone)

Press whatever you are making the anvil for into to JB Weld to where it will be flush

Let Dry

Pop out the Stud, or Button, or Rivet head or whatever

Touch up with Sandpaper, File, Whatever.

Use this (leave the JB Weld in the steel block) as your new anvil.

Art

Great idea Art

[Art]

Great idea Art

Gunsmith influence. JB Weld is your friend.

Art

[TinkerTailor]

I use jb weld to fix bicycle frames that have loose headset cups. I use basically the same technique. Never thought of doing it here. Nice one.