LIBRATON Rivet Gun, Rivet Gun Kit, Pop Rivet Gun, 80PCs Metal Rivets and 4 Drill Bits, Heavy Duty Hand Riveter, Rivet Gun Tool for Metal, Automotive, Blind Rivets 3/32" 1/8" 5/32" 3/16"

First impressions

I like tools that get out of their own way. The Libraton rivet gun does exactly that: it’s a straightforward, all‑steel hand riveter with just enough thoughtful touches to make setup and use predictable. Out of the box, the four nosepieces (3/32, 1/8, 5/32, 3/16 inch) were threaded cleanly and stored on the handle, and the kit included 80 aluminum blind rivets plus four matched drill bits. For most small fabrication and repair tasks, that’s everything you need to start pulling rivets immediately.

Build and ergonomics

The body is solid and the linkage feels tight, which matters when you’re trying to keep the nose aligned over a hole while squeezing. The carbon steel handles have thick PVC sleeves that provide a grippy, slightly compliant feel—handy if you’re working with oily sheet metal or wearing gloves. On small rivets (3/32 and 1/8), one‑hand operation is realistic; at 5/32 and especially 3/16, I found myself using a steadying hand or bracing the tool against my hip to finish the pull comfortably. That’s typical of compact hand riveters.

The overall proportions hit a good middle ground: long enough for leverage, short enough to get into wheel wells or door cavities. The tip storage on the handle is genuinely useful—no rummaging for the right nosepiece—and the threads are cut well enough that swapping sizes doesn’t feel like a chore.

Setup and accessory bits

The included drill bits are matched to the rivet sizes, which is convenient if you’re not sure what diameter to drill. They’re sharp enough for aluminum and thin mild steel. If you’re drilling thicker steel or stainless, switch to higher‑grade bits; you’ll get cleaner holes and less wandering. As with any blind rivet work, deburring the hole and making sure the material is tightly clamped pays dividends in clean, flush‑seating heads.

Swapping nosepieces is quick with a small wrench. Make sure you’re installing the correct one for the mandrel size—you want the mandrel to slide freely through the tip but with minimal slop. That helps the jaws bite consistently and reduces the risk of odd break points.

In use: sheet metal and general repairs

I started with a simple patch on a 0.050-inch aluminum panel using 1/8-inch aluminum rivets from the kit. The Libraton pulled each rivet tight in two to three squeezes, with a sharp snap at the designed break point. Mandrels ejected cleanly most of the time; a quick open‑close of the handles and a tilt toward the nose usually let the spent stem fall out. On a half‑dozen pulls, I did have a mandrel hang up in the jaws. Opening the handles fully and inserting the next rivet pushed it through without needing to disassemble the nose.

Moving to thicker material, I tested 3/16-inch aluminum rivets joining overlapping galvanized brackets. The gun had enough leverage to set them, but this is the upper limit of comfortable. Expect four or five firm squeezes, and use both hands to avoid wrist strain. If you’re planning hundreds of 3/16-inch rivets or any stainless rivets, a long‑arm or pneumatic tool is a better choice.

Noise-wise, the characteristic pop is loud—about what you’d expect for a hand riveter. In a garage or inside a vehicle cabin, ear protection isn’t a bad idea.

Automotive and trim work

I used the tool to reattach a section of inner fender liner on a crossover and to fasten a thin aluminum bracket behind a bumper cover. On automotive plastics, remember that standard blind rivets work best when there’s a backing washer or when you’re using plastic‑specific push rivets. The Libraton will set aluminum rivets through plastic, but thin plastics can deform before the rivet mushrooms. When I tried nylon push‑type rivets with pull stems, the tool set them, but ejecting the plastic stems sometimes required a nudge; they don’t slide through the jaws as smoothly as metal.

For metal-on-metal in the engine bay and wheel wells, the gun performed well. The compact head fit easily behind the bodywork, and the textured grips stayed secure even with oily fingers.

Mandrel breaks and ejection

Any hand riveter lives or dies by how consistently it snaps mandrels and clears them. With this tool, I had mostly predictable breaks at the designed notch—leaving a short, neat stem. On a few pulls using off‑brand rivets, the break occurred higher up the mandrel, leaving a longer nub protruding from the rivet head. Cleaning the jaws, confirming the hole size, and switching to the matched nosepiece eliminated the issue for me. If you do get a long stem, a quick pass with a file or rotary tool flushes it in seconds.

If a mandrel gets stuck, open the handles fully, remove the nosepiece, and tap the tool nose‑down on a bench; nine times out of ten, the stem drops out. It’s also worth occasionally wiping the jaws and adding a tiny drop of light oil—grit can make ejection inconsistent.

Durability and maintenance

After a few dozen rivets across aluminum and thin steel, the Libraton’s action remained smooth, with no slop developing in the pivot. The finish holds up to casual shop abuse, and the handles have enough meat to avoid pinch points when fully closed. As with any compact riveter, don’t try to muscle stainless 3/16-inch rivets—doing so is a good way to chew up the jaws. Stick to aluminum and mild steel within the listed sizes and it should have a long service life.

Limitations and what it’s not

• It’s not a volume tool. For long runs of large rivets, a long‑arm or pneumatic unit will be faster and easier on your hands.
• It’s not ideal for plastic push rivets with soft stems. It can set them, but ejection isn’t as smooth.
• Stainless rivets at the upper size limit are a stretch for any compact hand riveter; use aluminum or steel instead.
• The pop is loud; in confined spaces, it’s noticeable.

Value and alternatives

As a kit, it’s well thought out. Having all four common nosepieces on‑board, a small supply of rivets, and matched bits simplifies life if you’re just getting into riveting or need a grab‑and‑go solution. Compared with bargain‑bin riveters, the action is smoother, the jaws bite more reliably, and the tip storage keeps the kit self‑contained. Compared with heavier long‑arm tools, you give up leverage and speed but gain portability and access.

If you already own high‑quality drill bits, consider this primarily for the tool itself—the included bits are fine for light work, but not a replacement for a dedicated metalworking set.

Who it’s for

• DIYers and mechanics who need a reliable hand riveter for occasional to moderate use
• Automotive hobbyists setting 1/8 and 5/32-inch aluminum rivets in trim, liners, and brackets
• Home and shop users repairing sheet metal, gutters, HVAC ducting, and light fixtures

If you’re outfitting a production bench or installing hundreds of 3/16-inch rivets a week, step up to a lever or air riveter.

Tips for best results

• Match drill size to rivet, and deburr the hole for a clean seat.
• Use backing washers on soft materials like plastic or thin aluminum.
• Keep the tool square to the workpiece; side‑loading can cause odd breaks.
• Open the handles fully between pulls to help eject spent mandrels.
• Clean the jaws occasionally; a little maintenance prevents jams.

Bottom line

The Libraton rivet gun is a sturdy, compact hand riveter that covers the four most common sizes with minimal fuss. It pulls aluminum rivets cleanly, has enough bite for light steel, and the on‑handle tip storage plus starter consumables make it a practical kit for the toolbox. It’s not a production tool and it’s not the right choice for stainless 3/16-inch rivets, but within its intended range it’s dependable and easy to live with.

Recommendation: I recommend it for homeowners, hobbyists, and mechanics who want a solid, no‑nonsense hand riveter for aluminum and mild steel rivets up to 3/16 inch. It’s comfortable, consistent once set up properly, and the kit makes it a good value. If you anticipate high volumes or heavy stainless use, look to a long‑arm or pneumatic alternative instead.