Posts Tagged ‘rivet tools’

Then and Now: Riveting Tools Fastening the Seams of History

Thursday, April 25th, 2013

Currently on display at the National Museum of American History, an exhibit called America on the Move details how transportation and technology have changed the shape and fabric of America, from automotive to locomotive and beyond. The exhibit features everything from the trains and cars themselves, all the way down to the tools and techniques that saw these vehicles become a staple of our daily lives. Among this guide to the nation’s planes, trains, and automobiles, was a curious reminder of the lineage of our industry: A pneumatic rivet gun and three swages used on the railways and in welding work from 1950.

From the 1920s, riveting tools have been crucial to the development of early automotives and locomotives, but this isn’t news to anyone. What is particularly interesting is just how far we’ve come in the last few decades.

Comparing this artifact to the raw power and the sleek lightweight design of the BP-4V, for example, its impressive to see the improvements. From a two to three person operation, to a riveting gun wielding 3500lbs. of pulling force at a weight of only 3.6 lbs is a staggering leap in technological achievements, boasting the best weight-to-power ratio that the industry has yet to speak of. Our Power Micro boasts an even lighter weight gun that is still capable of 1760 lbs. of force, weighing in at less than 2.5 lbs. Far from the riveting relics of days past!

Are rivets really the new duct tape?

Tuesday, March 26th, 2013

When I first heard this comment, I sort of chuckled but I think it’s true. Rivets can be used in hundreds of different applications for home, pleasure and business. There are even people that use them when creating handmade furniture. Rivets hold the world together.

Some products are made using them originally. Other items acquire rivets when something else used in their construction fails. Some of the most popular uses are for trailers.

One man that made his car trailer from scratch used 3/16th size rivets to hold the floor of his trailer to the frame. He had created the frame from welding steel pieces to get the size he wanted. He was able to purchase the aluminum skin of a Boeing 747 as scrap when the company lost the certification on the metal. This was cut to size and bolted on to the frame. To date, the car trailer has been to 19 different states, hauling dozens of cars and trucks and two tractors. It has also been used to move a household across the country several times. Those fifty or so 3/16th rivets have never failed – they haven’t even gotten loose.

Rivets can be used for all types of trailers from enclosed car trailers to boat trailers to homemade teardrop travel trailers. People like them because they sit flat, have no sharp edges to catch clothing or tear skin and seldom come loose.

The size of rivet you use for your trailer or other needs may vary and you may need more or less of them than what was used on this trailer. You can rest assured that when properly placed, the rivets will likely last the life of the trailer.

Blue Pneumatic – The Latest Advancements in Rivet Guns

Tuesday, March 19th, 2013

We are extremely proud of our new V series of rivet guns. These rivet guns are a prime example of how advances in technology help give you the best value for your money.

The V series were designed to be extremely comfortable and simple to use. Both the BP-3V and BP-4V fit easily in the hand, give low shock, and weigh just 3.2lbs and 3.6lbs respectively. They are also extremely small in size, making it easy to complete work in even the tiniest of spaces.

However, no sacrifices on power were made. The BP-3V features 2100lbs of pulling force, while the BP-4V offers a massive 3500lbs of force. Power on this level, from tools so lightweight, cannot be found anywhere else in the industry.

The BP-3V has the blind rivet setting capacities of 1/8”, 5/32” and 3/16” in all alloys. The BP-4V’s capacities are 1/8”, 5/32”, 3/16”, as well with the added 1/4” capacity.

The BP-3V and BP-4V both feature a thumb-operated control button, to help keep the rivet in place. Each gun also comes with an oil applicator and services wrenches.

For optimal use, we recommend keeping an operating air pressure between 80-95 psi.

If you’d like to see the full specifications for the BP-3V, click HERE. For the BP-4V, click HERE.

Solar and Orlock Rivets Are Saving The Planet

Wednesday, November 16th, 2011

Solar farms are usually assembled in vary large flat outside areas. Solar is becoming more widely adopted too. Solar farms are assembled right on site. To set up a solar farm, a cement slab is laid and the brackets are put together right on location. The problem is that, traditionally, they have been assembled with nuts and bolts. Why? Because the concern of rivets pulling through the material is of major concern. The problem with a nut and bolt are many. For example, nuts and bolts require two pieces(naturally). Bolts and nuts are heavy and require tons of manual labor and time to install. Many world-class solar installation companies are discovering the “Orlock Rivet” fastening solution. Orlock, first and foremost, has a back-side flange that allows it to grip and hold the mating material together, without the threat of pulling through the material. Orlock is also amazingly easy and quick to install. Orlock is of coarse is a one piece blind fastener, so inventories are light and requires less total pieces of material. All of these reasons can help make Solar a more useful energy alternative for our planet. Orlock is helping to protect our planet… One rivet at a time.

Peterbuilt Truck After-Market Grill Accessory Mock Up part 3of 3

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

This is the “After Pic “ of an Orlock rivet that is serving as a SOLUTION

to a troublesome rivet application(a look at the blind side):

Solution:LN48090P

All of the Pre-mentioned problems are solved(see part 2 for problems)

Cost: A bit more in hard dollars.

Benefits:

1. Dramatically increased customer satisfaction. Increased sales

2. Superior product quality.

3. Visual cosmetic improvement.

Justifications:

1. Although, in this case the per unit rivet price was bit higher, there is a

Small per-grill cost increase. This increase is inconsequential because
there is no competitor
comparison to this custom unit.

Bottom line: The manufacturer and the customer benefit from the conversion to the Orlock rivet even thought there is a small increase in price.