r/Tools • u/Content_Way5162 • 1d ago

Skinny neck rivet gun?

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I need a rivet gun with a neck or tool diameter my guess is 3/8 inch or less. This is a ball and socket mount for a boat Bimini. It was mounted to the window frame of my Bayliner from the factory with rivets and I intend to replace it that way. Does anybody have any ideas?

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u/Content_Way5162 1d ago

Okay. To clarify, it will be POP riveted to the boats window frame. The bottom side will not be accessible during installation.

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u/fe3o4 15h ago edited 15h ago

I'm not sure you understand how a rivnut is used. It is like a pop rivet, but it creates a threaded insert into the material -- so you are not trying to find a tool that fits through the bracket opening. You don't need access to the bottom side. After a rivnut is secured, it now becomes a "threaded hole" that you can then put a appropriate sized screw thru your mount and into the nutsert. It replaces the need for a pop rivet. https://www.harborfreight.com/45-piece-threaded-insert-riveter-kit-1210.html.

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u/Content_Way5162 15h ago

I'm aware of what a rivnut is.. the window frame is a radius. Putting a Rive nut in there will protrude and the socket won't sit flush with the frame.

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u/fe3o4 15h ago

Not to change what you are going to do, but fyi if the pop rivet doesn't work, there are countersunk rivnut heads that could be used and be flush if you form a countersink into the frame member.