
How to Remove a Pop Rivet
- Step 1 - Select Your Drill Bit The first thing you should do is spend time carefully choosing the right drill bit for your project. ...
- Step 2 - Prepare Put the drill bit into the drill and tighten the chuck up. ...
- Step 3 - Drill ...
- Step 4 - Remove the Rest of the Rivet ...
- Step 5 - Repeat on Other Rivets ...
How to remove rivets with a drill bit?
Top Tips for Removing Rivets
- Use Hand Tools. If you don’t have a power drill, a chisel, a hammer and a punch will do. ...
- Use a Grinder. You could also use a grinder to slice the head off the rivet and repeat the same procedure with the hammer and punch.
- Hand-Turn the Bit. ...
- File the Rivet Head. ...
- Remove Paint. ...
How to remove rivets from concrete?
The Best Way to Remove Steel Rivets
- Place the tapered end of a bull point chisel on the center of the rivet head. ...
- Attach a 1/8-inch high-speed cobalt bit to the drill motor and apply cutting lube before drilling. ...
- Replace the 1/8-inch bit on the drill motor with a bit that is the same width as the rivet shaft. ...
How to take rivets off?
Tools you’ll need
- Center punch. A center punch is a tool with a pointed end that is used to make an indentation in an object. ...
- Hammer. Any sized hammer will do, as long as it is big enough to drive the center punch down into the rivet.
- Drill. Make sure your drill is fully charged and ready for rivet-removing. ...
How to remove fastener rivet?
Method 2 Method 2 of 3: Grinding the Rivet Off
- Put on safety glasses to protect your eyes. Grinding metal can send sparks and shards of metal flying.
- Hold the grinding wheel parallel to the surface with the rivet. ...
- Start the wheel and place the grinder against the head of the rivet. ...
- Punch a small dent into the top of the rivet. ...
- Lubricate your drill bit and drill a hole through the rivet. ...

Can you remove rivets with a drill?
If you're only removing a few rivets, a more accessible method is to use a plain drill bit. First, if the rivet doesn't have a discernible center, you'll have to create a divot, a place for the drill to start, using a hammer and a center punch or narrow nail set.
What is the best way to remove pop rivets?
0:131:23How To Remove A Rivet - Ace Hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd a drill bit and the bit is about the size a little bit bigger than that interior ring there andMoreAnd a drill bit and the bit is about the size a little bit bigger than that interior ring there and I'm gonna go ahead and just drill out. And try. And cut off that edge.
Are pop rivets easy to remove?
Removing a rivet may seem like a difficult task, but if you have the right tools, it's actually really simple. For smaller rivets, use a drill bit to drive through the surface. For stubborn rivets that you can't drill through, grind off the head of the rivet, then bore through it.
How do you remove a rivet without breaking it?
0:061:48How To Remove Plastic Push Rivets On Your Car - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you pull it up. And then you reach the screwdriver under again you pop it and it comes up niceMoreSo you pull it up. And then you reach the screwdriver under again you pop it and it comes up nice and easy when you're ready to put the panel back on push the rivet back in pop it down just like that.
What is a rivet drill bit?
Specially designed for drilling holes for rivets. Ideal for drilling shallow holes through thin metal without pre-punching.
How do you remove rivets with pliers?
0:314:36(1) Rivet Removal Tool (2) Pliers + Jewelry Angle Cutters - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd it's just going to push the tubular rivet out the other. Side. And there it is so if it didn'tMoreAnd it's just going to push the tubular rivet out the other. Side. And there it is so if it didn't quite push it all the way out. Then I could use the pliers to pull it.
How do you use pop rivets without a gun?
2:485:07How to Use Rivets Without a Gun | Without Expensive Tools - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFirst place the rivet into the hole of the item. Then put the bolt through the washer or bushing.MoreFirst place the rivet into the hole of the item. Then put the bolt through the washer or bushing. You'll be doing this to thread onto the loose nut. And make it work.
How do you remove a rivet nut?
0:210:55Rivnut Replacement! Stripped Nutserts Repair - #Shorts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let me show you how you can get rid of this one and put a new one in the entire key to thisMoreSo let me show you how you can get rid of this one and put a new one in the entire key to this process. Is a standard countersink. Bit if we countersink the heck out of this eventually. The shoulder
How do you use a rivet gun?
1:092:08How to Use a Pop Rivet Gun / Blind Rivet - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo to get that rivet into that hole all you do is you put it into the two holes. And make sure they'MoreSo to get that rivet into that hole all you do is you put it into the two holes. And make sure they're both in there means keep squeezing the Riveter.
Can you reuse a rivet?
Can rivets be reused? No, rivets cannot be reused.
How do you remove pop clips?
0:264:22How to remove "Automotive Push Clips" without braking themYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe cap out. After you pull this cap out you can pull this entire clip. Out without breaking it backMoreThe cap out. After you pull this cap out you can pull this entire clip. Out without breaking it back to the front of the vehicle.
Can you replace rivets with screws?
The need to replace rivets with screws may arise from a mechanical failure of the rivets or from a need for access behind some riveted sheet metal. It is your choice whether you utilize a simple sheet-metal screw or a short machine screw with a nut to hold the screw in place.
How do you get rivets out of metal?
0:342:22How To Remove Rivets...(Quick Guide To Removing Rivets In Gutters ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I'll show you how to do that all you need to make this work is a drill preferably 18 volt and aMoreSo I'll show you how to do that all you need to make this work is a drill preferably 18 volt and a drill bit that is slightly larger than the hole at the center of the rivet.
How do I remove a pop rivet from a license plate?
0:001:59Remove Riveted License Plate Holder - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat didn't work it's still stuck on there so then what I had to do is I had to like pry these theMoreThat didn't work it's still stuck on there so then what I had to do is I had to like pry these the heads off. So what I'm doing is I'm bending it with a flathead screwdriver.
Why do we remove bad rivets?
Rivets are designed to provide a permanent joint, but sometimes they have to be removed. Maybe a rivet was installed incorrectly or cracked during installation, or perhaps the rivet has started to corrode and needs to be replaced. When you have to remove a rivet, it pays to use the right rivet removal tool.
How do you remove solid rivets?
11:0612:28How we remove solid buck rivets. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFocus after i ground these off i punch them out just gently little tip tap tap. And do it by. HandMoreFocus after i ground these off i punch them out just gently little tip tap tap. And do it by. Hand only took a little bit of grinding.
How to remove a pop rivet?
Select a titanium drill bit of the appropriate size. Pop Rivets have a small hole at their center. This hole determines the size, or thickness, of drill bit that will be required to remove the rivet. Simply select a drill bit and hold the point up against the rivet hole. If the bit passes into the hole, it is too small.
How are pop rivets installed?
Pop rivets are installed by a gun that draws the long pin through the rivet.
Why do we use pop rivets on gutters?
Most often, we use pop rivets to pin together gutters and other thin pieces of metal on the exterior of a house. We frequently install them in multiples to keep these components from shifting.
What happens when you cut a rivet loose?
When the head of the rivet is cut loose from the wall, the bit punches the body of the fastener the rest of the way through. You are left with the small hole that was originally drilled for the rivet to sit in.
How many rivets do you need to remove a gutter?
So, if you want to remove a gutter or downspout, you’ll often have to remove more than one rivet. Examine the area from multiple sides and determine how many rivets are present, and what role each one plays in holding the assembly together.
How to separate a rivet from the shaft?
You do this is by “drilling out” the rivet. You use friction from a drill bit to cut away at the inner wall of the fastener. That way, you separate the shaft from the head.
What is a rivet?
Rivets are permanent fasteners often used to pin together gutters, straps, and other pieces of thin-gauge metal around your house. Removing rivets may seem difficult–but a couple small tricks make it a cinch! This article and video will not only show you how to remove old rivets, it will also show you how to replace them with a simpler ...
How to remove blind rivets?
A blind rivet is removed with a power drill by drilling on the hollow part of the rivet head until it comes off the shank. The same can be done by using a flat head screwdriver or chisel and a hammer. Place the tip of the tool between the material and the rivet head and tap it with a hammer until the head breaks off.
How to get blind rivets out of hole?
Once you have cut the blind rivet head, use a thin screwdriver or a small rod to push the rivet shank out of the hole . It may come out with a single tap if the material is thin, or you may have to use the hammer with more force and repetition for thicker materials.
How do pop rivets work?
Pop rivets are tubular in shape with mandrels through the center. The rivet itself is inserted into a previously drilled hole, through the metals you're joining, and then locked into place by means of a rivet gun. The mandrel is drawn until it snaps off, leaving behind a hollow rivet that fastens two pieces of metal securely.
What tool to use to cut blind rivets?
Alternatively, you can use a Dremel rotary tool. A small, circular cutter comes as one of the Dremel's attachments and this can be used to cut off the head of the blind rivet. However, make sure that you can use the power tool with enough dexterity to avoid cutting the material as well.
Can you remove rivets without drilling?
The thickness will determine which method might be better to use and the amount of force that you can use to remove rivets without drilling. Flimsy materials such as thin metal sheets may crumple or even be torn off with too much force, leaving the whole point of removing the pop rivets useless.
Can you remove blind rivets with an electric drill?
There are also instances where a blind rivet needs to be removed but an electric drill cannot be found. In such situations, you will have to make do with a different removal method.
How to get rivets out of a riveted piece?
Tap the back of the nail set tool with the hammer or mallet to slide the rivet out of the riveted material. Use a chisel with a small blade to minimize or prevent damage to the riveted material. Wear safety glasses when using a hammer and chisel to prevent eye injury.
How to remove rivets from rivet shank?
Set the tapered head of the nail set tool on the rivet shank that was exposed after the head was removed. Tap the back of the nail set tool with the hammer or mallet to slide the rivet out of the riveted material.
How to remove rivets from a chisel?
Flip the chisel head so that the bevel is flush to the material you're removing the rivet from. Slide it next to the rivet head.
What are the parts of a rivet?
By Josh Arnold. Rivets consist of two parts -- a mandrel and a body. The body is inserted into the riveted material with an outside lip called a head. The mandrel, which is inserted on the opposite side of the riveted material and through the rivet body, consists of a mandrel head and a shaft that features a breakaway notch.
How to stop a chisel from snapping?
Stop tapping the chisel head once the rivet head has snapped off . Pry the rivet head off, if it has not snapped off, by pushing the handle toward the hard surface; this will cause the chisel’s beveled edge to push away from the hard surface.
How to take out rivets?
When you take them out, they can not be used again. The simplest way to take out these fasteners is to use a drill. The process involves using a drill bit to cut out the inner part of the rivet, so you can take the head off of the shaft.
What to use to push rivets out?
However, if you do not have a drill, you aren’t completely out of luck! You can also use a hammer or chisel to push the rivets out. You will want to wear safety goggles before hitting metals, so that you don’t risk hurting your eyes.
What are Rivets?
Rivets are permanent fasteners that can be used to hold together a variety of material, including:
How to get a rivet head out of a chisel?
Put the sharp end of the chisel under the edge of the rivet’s head. Make sure it is secure, then tap the head of the chisel with your hammer. The head should come loose after a few seconds. From there, you can use a punch to push the rest of the rivet through.
How to remove rivets from a spherical surface?
Start by keeping the grounder level with the surface. Hold it over the rivet’s head, then slowly grind off as much of it as you can. Make sure you come at it from different angles to completely remove it.
What are the other rivet categories?
The tubular, blind, solid, and split are the other rivet categories. However, for home projects, you will encounter the pop rivet.
Can you replace rivets with gutter screws?
Depending on the job you were doing, you might want to replace the rivets with gutter screws. If you happen to have a pop riveter tool, you can line it up in the holes you just made. Then, you can easily install the new screws.
How to remove a rivet from a drill bit?
If you want to remove a rivet using a chisel and drill, insert the chisel under the rivet's head and tap it with a hammer to cut off the head. Alternatively, remove the head with a grinder. Next, use a small punch and hammer to drive the pin part of the way through the hole to make a starter hole for the drill bit.
How to remove a rivet?
For smaller rivets, use a drill bit to drive through the surface. For stubborn rivets that you can’t drill through, grind off the head of the rivet, then bore through it. You could also use a hammer and chisel to break off the head of the rivet and drive it through the surface if you don’t have a drill.
How to get a rivet through a chisel?
Hammer the chisel until the rivet is pushed through the surface. Strike the thick or dull end of the chisel with controlled, firm strikes with your hammer. Continue to hammer the chisel until the rivet is pushed through the surface.
How to drill through a rivet?
Boring through metal rivets is done with pressure rather than speed. Start the drill slowly and maintain a steady pace as you hold the drill against the rivet and apply firm pressure.
How to get a rivet to pierce through?
Add some lubricant to the end of the drill bit. Drilling the rivet will create lots of friction and heat. To help the bit pierce through the rivet without overheating or getting damaged, add a few drops of cutting fluid, or lubricant, to the end of it.
How to drill a divot?
Attach a drill bit that fits neatly into the divot. Find a bit that fits into the divot and is long enough to penetrate all the way through the rivet. Tighten the chuck so that the bit is tight and secure.
How to cut a rivet head?
Start the wheel and place the grinder against the head of the rivet. Bring the grinder wheel up to speed and slowly move it into a position parallel with the surface until you make contact with the head of the rivet. Slowly move the grinder as it cuts through the metal rivet until you remove the exposed head.
How to remove a rivet?
Removing a rivet may appear to be a complicated process, but it’s simple with proper equipment. Use a drill bit to push tiny rivets through the surface. If drilling can’t penetrate a difficult rivet, grind off the head and bore through it. Sans a drill, remove the rivet’s head and drive it through the surface using a hammer and chisel.
How to install a pop rivet?
The first step of pop rivet installation begins with drilling a hole through the parts to be joined. Insert the rivet through the drilled hole, and bring the body into contact with the material to be joined. Place a pop rivet gun on it, and pull the mandrel into the rivet body. This causes expansion and gripping of the parts. Once engaged, the mandrel snaps, permanently holding the rivet in place. The result? A firm and permanent connection.
How to determine the right rivet size?
Selecting the right rivet begins with determining the rivet’s grip range. Grip size range is the width of material to be affixed together. select the correct length for your rivet. A rivet’s length measures from the underside of the head to the stem’s tip.
How much should the length of a rivet be?
The rivet’s length should be equal to the thickness of both the fastened items + 1.5 times the diameter of the stem of the fastener.
Where to place drill bit on rivet?
Place the drill bit against the divot in the center of the rivet.
What is a blind rivet?
Blind rivets, often called pop rivets, are a type of rivets. They’re utilized when limited or no access to the backside (blindside) of the parts exists. Depending on the application, they can replace welds, adhesives, screws, nuts, and bolts.
How to drill a rivet in a hole?
Insert the bit into the drill, center the bit in the hole, and drill at a slow speed through the center of the rivet’s sleeve. The rivet should fall apart. If it doesn’t, try the next larger-size drill bit. Remember, it’s always a good idea to wear safety glasses when drilling into metal.
What bit to use to remove rivets?
If you’re only removing a few rivets, a more accessible method is to use a plain drill bit.
How does a rivet gun work?
The rivet is inserted into the hole and, using a rivet gun the mandrel is withdrawn through the tube. As the mandrel is withdrawn, it causes the tube to swell, locking the two pieces together.
What is a pop rivet?
Pop rivets are used to join two pieces of thin material, such as plastic or aluminum, from one side, eliminating the need to access the back of the workpiece . Around the house, they are most typically used to join sections of gutters and downspout fittings.
What was the purpose of rivets in the last century?
Before the widespread use of the structural bolt, rivets were used to join steel plates that became bridges, skyscrapers, tanks, airplanes, and ships. These rivets were thick iron plugs ...
Can you drill out rivets?
Once installed, these light-gauge metal fasteners are meant to be permanent, but they can be drilled out when necessary. Read this guide to learn how to remove rivets.
Can you remove a rivet?
For instance, when replacing sections of gutter or downspouts, you may need to remove rivets to disassemble the parts. There are a few methods to remove a rivet.
