Blind rivets consist of two parts. The first part is called the rivet body (sometimes called the shell) while the second part is called the mandrel (also called a stem). Pop^® Rivet is a brand name as are Huck(R) and Avdel(R) and Marson(R). That doesn't tell you what type of blind rivet you need. Pop^® Rivet was the original, way back in the 1930s! Before this fastener was invented, you had to use a solid rivet or a bolt/nut assembly which required access to both sides of a project.

Blind rivets are comprised of a rivet and an integrated mandrel. A blind rivet is then inserted through the drilled hole in the material(s) you are fastening until flush with the surface. A rivet gun is placed on the rivet (pull by hand tool air or electric tool), which will pull the mandrel back while holding the rivet in place, causing it to expand and it deforms the rivet by pushing the sides outward until the mandrel snaps and grips the parts to be joined together. The Mandrel remains inside the pulled rivet. This is what forms the expanded back side of the rivet, ultimately holding the materials together.

Blind rivets commonly have three different types of heads — mushroom), flat (countersunk), and oversized (large flange). To enable blind rivets to meet the requirements of a wide variety of applications, they are available in many materials, including: Steel, stainless steel, Monel^®, copper, brass, bronze, and aluminum. Many specialty blind rivets are also available.

Talk to Hardware Everywhere’s knowledgeable customer service team for help choosing the fasteners that match your application. Call us at 1-800-432-8979 or contact us online.