A blind rivet to rivet tool chart can help you match the correct aerospace or commercial fastener to the proper installation tool. If you’re working with a variety of manufacturers’ rivets (Cherry®, Avdel®, POP®, as well as Huck®), Gage Bilt Rivet Tools are hard to beat, as their versatility is valuable. Gage Bilt rivet tools work with a large variety of blind rivets, making them the perfect tool for multiple blind rivet manufacturers and applications.
Why Choose Gage Bilt
Since 1956 Gage Bilt has been a domestic manufacturer of riveting solutions and industrial fastener tools. Gage Bilt rivet tools are constructed from aircraft quality materials to provide years of service. Gage Bilt heavy duty riveting tools are crafted to install a wide variety of aerospace and commercial fasteners.
- Can handle a broader range of standard blind rivets, lockbolts, and structural rivets – not limited to one manufacturer’s fasteners
- More affordable pricing, making them cost-effective for shops on a budget
- One-piece piston design that ensures less jamming than other brand tools
- Better parts availability for easier maintenance
- Ergonomic design with low-effort trigger that reduces operator fatigue
- Wider variety of tool models (over 70 different models)
Why It’s Important Choosing the Right Tool
Pull Force Requirements
Different rivet types and sizes require different pulling forces. The tool must have adequate stroke length to match the rivet length and sufficient pull force for the specific rivet material and size. Using an underpowered tool won’t properly set the rivet, resulting in a weak joint.
Nose Assembly Compatibility
Each rivet size and head style requires a specific nose piece or nose assembly on the tool. The wrong nose piece can damage the rivet head, fail to properly grip the mandrel, or create an improperly formed joint. For aerospace work especially, this precision is critical.
Material Considerations
The rivet tool must be harder than the rivet material itself. Using tools not designed for harder rivet materials (like steel or titanium) can cause premature tool wear or failure.
Grip Range
Grip range refers to the combined total thickness that the materials being fastened may have, as rivets have a predetermined point where the mandrel breaks. The tool must be compatible with the grip range needed for your application.
Consequences of Mismatching
Poor tool-fastener matching can result in:
- Incomplete rivet setting and weak joints
- Damaged rivet heads or mandrels
- Material damage from excessive or insufficient force
- Tool damage and premature wear
- In aerospace applications, potential safety issues from improperly installed fasteners
For aerospace work, proper matching is especially critical because safety and regulatory compliance depend on correct installation. You’ll want to verify your tool specifications against the fastener manufacturer’s requirements before starting any job. Gage Bilt tools are compatible with a lot of different rivets, so it’s an easy choice to choose a Gage Bilt rivet tool for the job.
Commercial Blind Rivet to Gage Bilt Rivet Tool Chart
Aerospace Blind Rivet to Gage Bilt Rivet Tool Chart
Rivet Guns For Multiple Industries
Gage Bilt makes rivet guns for Aerospace, Defense, Trucking, Railroad, Mining and commercial industries for over 62 years. Here’s a list of the industries they serve:
- Aerospace – One of their major markets, with specialized tools for aerospace-grade blind rivets and fasteners
- Defense – Military and defense applications requiring high-reliability fastening
- Trucking – Truck and trailer manufacturing and repair
- Railroad – Rail car assembly and maintenance
- Mining – Heavy equipment and machinery in mining operations
- Solar panel installations – Tools for blind rivets and lockbolts in solar mounting systems
- General commercial/industrial manufacturing – A broad category covering various production and assembly needs
Affordable Rivet Tools
Gage Bilt is committed to manufacturing innovative and robust products, providing quality solutions at competitive prices and best in class lead-times. Gage Bilt offers competitive pricing and makes it a vital part of their value proposition.
Simpler, More Efficient Design
Gage Bilt tools are equipped with a one-piece piston which ensures less jamming than other brand tools, plus with less moving parts, this makes Gage Bilt rivet guns easier to bleed. This simpler design with fewer components likely reduces manufacturing costs while still maintaining reliability.
Product Line Interchangeability
Gage Bilt has a complete fastener installation product line that is interchangeable and equivalent with the competition. By designing tools that work with multiple fastener brands (Avdel, Cherry, Huck, POP) rather than being proprietary, they can appeal to a broader market and potentially achieve economies of scale.
Manufacturing Approach
With over 70 different models and their own manufacturing since 1956, Gage Bilt has optimized their production processes. The use of aircraft-quality materials while maintaining affordable pricing suggests efficient manufacturing rather than cutting corners on quality.
It’s worth noting that “more affordable” doesn’t mean low quality—these are still robust, heavy-duty production tools made from aircraft-quality materials. They’ve essentially found ways to deliver comparable performance at a lower price point through smart engineering and efficient design.
Advance Components is your Gage Bilt Source
We are an authorized distributor of Gage Bilt rivet tools, nose assemblies, power units and components.Whether you are looking for a hydraulic or pneudraulic rivet gun, we have several styles in stock, and are able to quickly procure any products that are not in our online store. Contact the Advance sales team for quotes, application solutions or any fastening questions. Gage Bilt tools are manufactured in the USA.