DeWalt 20V MAX XR Brushless Cordless 3/16" Rivet Tool Kit

I spent a week using DeWalt’s 20V rivet tool on a mix of sheet aluminum and light-gauge steel panels, and the first thing I noticed was what wasn’t there: an air hose and the jumpy kick you get from many pneumatic guns. This cordless riveter pulls smoothly, seats consistently, and makes blind riveting feel almost uneventful—in a good way.

Setup and first impressions

Out of the kit, you get the tool, a compact 20V 2.0 Ah battery, charger, four nose pieces (3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16), a replacement jaw set, belt hook, and a roomy bag. The on-board nose piece storage and tool-free nose swaps are excellent. I changed sizes repeatedly while mocking up an aluminum enclosure and never needed to dig for a wrench. The on-tool storage also means the pieces you actually need tend to stay with the tool.

The build feels tight and purpose-built. The mandrel collector threads on securely, and the LED work light is surprisingly useful when you’re lining up holes in a dim cabinet or under a workbench.

Performance: controlled, strong, and quick

DeWalt rates the tool at 2,100 lbf of pulling force with a 0.98-inch stroke. In practice, that translates to one clean pull on the supported sizes (3/32 to 3/16), including stainless steel blind rivets. With 3/16-inch stainless, it didn’t labor or chatter; it simply ramped up and set with a firm snap. On aluminum and steel in the smaller sizes, it’s almost too easy—hole prep becomes the limiting factor, not the tool.

The big difference from air tools is how controlled the pull feels. Pneumatics often “pop” hard and can bounce off thin stock, especially on unsupported edges. This DeWalt doesn’t lurch. It seats, tensions, and breaks the mandrel with much less drama, which reduces the risk of marring painted panels or delicate skins. If you’ve ever had to keep a rivet nose pinned to stop a gun from bouncing the work, you’ll appreciate how composed this is.

I intentionally tried to force a few awkward situations—slightly misaligned holes, mixed-material stacks, and long reaches—and the tool kept its composure. I didn’t encounter any stalls with standard blind rivets in the supported sizes.

Mandrel collection and jams

The on-board collector simply works. Mandrels are captured cleanly and don’t spray across the shop floor, and the clear cup lets you see when it’s time to empty. During my runs, I experienced a couple of partial mandrel hangs on unusual flush-on-both-sides stainless rivets. Both cleared on the next cycle without tools. If you do need to get into the business end, the included spare jaw set is a thoughtful addition, and the design makes maintenance straightforward.

Battery life

DeWalt’s claim is up to 800 pulls on 3/16-inch stainless with the included 2.0 Ah pack under ideal conditions. I didn’t count to 800, but after a day’s work installing a mix of 1/8-inch aluminum and stainless 1/8-inch flush rivets (roughly 80–100 pulls), the battery indicator still showed plenty of charge. For most shop tasks, a single compact pack will carry you through a session. If you’re in production, a second battery would keep the workflow continuous, but the compact pack’s endurance is better than I expected for a high-force tool.

Ergonomics and usability

At about 3.6 pounds for the tool, it feels solid but not unwieldy; with the compact pack installed it’s still easy to maneuver one-handed. The grip angle is comfortable, and the trigger pull feels deliberate. The balance is slightly nose-forward, which I prefer for lining up starts. The LED is bright and well-positioned for general use, though like most tool-mounted lights it can cast a shadow at certain angles.

One important note: there’s no vacuum nose to hold the rivet for you. You need to keep a finger on the rivet as you guide it into the hole. That’s not unusual for cordless riveters at this price point, but it makes overhead or blind placements a touch slower than systems with a suction feature. For bench work or accessible panels, it’s a non-issue. For one-handed overhead installs, plan your sequencing or bring a helper to pin the rivet.

Noise is low compared to an air gun’s report, and the absence of a compressor and hose reduces trip hazards and setup time. If you do occasional site work or field repairs, not having to drag a compressor is reason enough to consider a cordless solution.

Capacity and consistency

This riveter is rated for aluminum, steel, and stainless blind rivets in 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, and 3/16-inch sizes, and it handled all of those for me without needing a second pull. I checked back sides and found tails seated neatly and consistently. If you’re dealing with special structural blind rivets or unusual mandrel geometries, check the rivet manufacturer’s requirements against the tool’s pulling force and stroke, but for standard blind rivets the performance is confident and repeatable.

Durability and serviceability

The brushless motor is a smart choice for a tool that will see repetitive, high-load cycles. The included spare jaw set is a value add and indicates DeWalt expects the tool to be serviced, not tossed, after thousands of pulls. The mandrel collector threads and seals feel robust, and the nose pieces engage positively with no wobble. I didn’t notice any heat soak issues during longer runs, and the tool’s body never felt more than mildly warm.

The kit’s bag is generous—arguably too generous—but it swallows the tool, charger, and consumables with room for rivet assortments, safety glasses, and a square. The belt hook is handy on ladders, and I used it more than I expected.

What I liked

• Smooth, controlled pulls with minimal kickback, even on 3/16-inch stainless
• Tool-free nose changes with on-board storage
• Effective mandrel collection that keeps the work area clean
• Strong runtime on the compact 2.0 Ah pack
• Brushless motor feels efficient and stays cool
• Included replacement jaw set and belt hook
• Useful LED for cabinet and under-dash work

What could be better

• No rivet retention (vacuum) at the nose, so you have to hold rivets as you position them
• Bulkier than a manual riveter; tight corners and deep recesses can be a challenge
• The bag is larger than necessary if you prefer compact storage

Who it’s for

• Fabricators and installers who want air-tool performance without the hose
• Automotive, HVAC, and cabinetry pros who jump between sizes and materials
• Home shops that do periodic aluminum and stainless work and value clean, consistent results

If your workflow already revolves around pneumatic riveters and you have air everywhere, the gains are primarily in control and portability. If you’re tired of dragging a compressor or working in environments where hose management is a pain, this tool is a quality-of-life upgrade.

The bottom line

The DeWalt 20V rivet tool delivers the two things I value most in a riveter: consistency and control. It sets standard blind rivets in aluminum, steel, and stainless quickly and cleanly, manages mandrels without drama, and eliminates the hose, kick, and bounce that make some pneumatic work fiddly. Add in tool-free nose swaps, strong battery life from a compact pack, and service-friendly design, and you have a dependable, everyday solution for blind riveting.

Recommendation: I recommend this tool. It’s a capable, well-thought-out cordless riveter that hits the sweet spot for shop and field use. The lack of rivet retention at the nose is the only functional miss, and it’s easy to work around for most tasks. If you value smooth, repeatable sets and the freedom to work without air, this riveter earns a spot in the kit.