WETOLS Pop Rivet Gun Kit with 200 Blind Rivets, Upgraded Manual Single Hand Riveter with 4 Tool-Free Interchangeable Rivet Heads and 4 Drill Bits, Pop Rivet Tool Kit with Sturdy BMC Carrying Case

A small, well-organized rivet kit has a way of making weekend fixes go smoother. That’s been my experience with the Wetols rivet gun, a manual, single-hand riveter that ships with four tool-free nosepieces, 200 assorted rivets, four matching drill bits, and a molded case. I used it for a handful of jobs—replacing aluminum gutter sections, reattaching trim on a travel trailer, and swapping a paddle latch on a truck toolbox—and it handled the variety well for a compact, budget-friendly tool.

Build and ergonomics

The tool’s body is aluminum alloy with heat-treated steel handles and PVC sleeves. That combination keeps weight reasonable while giving the lever arms some backbone. The double-curved handles are shaped to nest in the hand, and the sleeves have just enough texture without feeling gummy. It’s not a cushioned, long-throw professional unit, but for short bursts and moderate quantities of rivets it feels solid and predictable.

The head and nosepiece assembly deserve a nod. Nosepieces for 3/32 in. (2.4 mm), 1/8 in. (3.2 mm), 5/32 in. (4.0 mm), and 3/16 in. (4.8 mm) store on the tool and swap without a wrench. The knurled collars are easy to grip even with gloves, and changes take seconds. That matters more than it sounds; on small projects where you’re mixing sizes, the lack of a special wrench means you’re less likely to set things down and lose momentum (or the wrench).

Setup and kit contents

The case holds the tool, four drill bits, and packets of 50 rivets in each size. The drill bits match the included rivet diameters, and they’re fine for aluminum and mild steel. They’re not premium bits, but they drilled clean holes through aluminum fascia and thin sheet without chatter, especially with a dab of oil on steel.

The rivets themselves are aluminum. They work well for light-duty fastening and are a logical inclusion. If you plan to set stainless or steel rivets, you’ll need to buy those separately. Wetols says the tool can pull aluminum, steel, and stainless rivets, but I’d heed their caveat: 4.8 mm (3/16 in.) in steel or stainless is pushing the boundaries of a single-hand tool this size. More on that in performance.

Performance and use

• 1/8 in. aluminum rivets: This is the tool’s sweet spot. In gutters and trailer trim, holes were easy to align, the tool seated squarely, and the mandrels popped cleanly with one to two squeezes. One-handed operation was comfortable above shoulder height, which matters on ladders.
• 5/32 in. aluminum rivets: Still smooth, though I preferred two hands for a controlled, steady pull. Breaks were positive, and the shop heads formed uniformly.
• 3/16 in. aluminum rivets: Manageable with two hands and a firm stance. Expect a couple of full strokes to pop the mandrel. The handles flex slightly at maximum effort, but not alarmingly.
• Steel rivets: Up to 1/8 in., no issues. At 5/32 in., it’s doable but takes more grip strength. I tested one 3/16 in. steel rivet for curiosity; it set, but it wasn’t pleasant, and it’s exactly the scenario where a larger lever riveter or pneumatic tool makes more sense. I would not use this size/material combination routinely on this tool.

One practical note: I had a single stuck mandrel when experimenting with larger steel sizes. Clearing it was straightforward—unscrew the nosepiece, tap the tool lightly, and pull the mandrel out with pliers. A quick wipe of the jaws and a drop of light oil on the nose threads kept things smooth afterward. With aluminum rivets at the sizes most people use, I didn’t run into jamming.

The head profile is compact enough to approach rivets that sit a little inset from an edge, which helped on the jetski bumper-style trim and the toolbox latch recess. It’s not a specialized long-nose riveter, but it fits tighter spaces than some chunky budget models.

Technique tips that helped

• Match the drill bit to the rivet size. A slightly oversized hole causes weak joints and difficult setting. The included bits are appropriately sized for the included rivets.
• Check the grip range. The stack of materials should land within the rivet’s rated grip. If you’re guessing, a rule of thumb is that the material stack should be roughly equal to the body length of the rivet. Too short and it won’t flare; too long and it mushrooms poorly.
• Keep the tool square. Tilting the tool while squeezing is a common cause of crooked shop heads and stuck mandrels.
• Use two hands for anything above 1/8 in. or for harder materials. This tool has the leverage to handle it, but your hands will thank you.

Maintenance and durability

The aluminum body has shrugged off a couple of bench knocks. The handles haven’t loosened, and the pivot remains tight with a pea-sized drop of light oil every so often. The jaw set bites mandrels reliably; after a dozen 3/16 in. pulls, I pulled the nose to check wear and found nothing unusual. The knurled collars still turn freely, which is important on a tool-free design like this.

I do wish there were a small mandrel catcher to keep the shop floor clean. That’s a luxury feature not common at this price, but if you’re working over landscaping or inside a vehicle, mind where those spent mandrels fall.

What I liked

• Tool-free nose changes are genuinely fast and encourage using the right size.
• Comfortable for one-handed use on 3/32 in. and 1/8 in. aluminum rivets.
• Compact head fits moderately tight recesses.
• Complete starter kit: useful drill bits, a practical assortment of rivets, and a case that keeps it all together.
• Handles offer good leverage for a single-hand form factor.

What could be better

• No catcher for spent mandrels.
• 3/16 in. steel or stainless is at the edge of practicality; expect a workout or consider a longer-handle or pneumatic riveter for that duty.
• The included drill bits are serviceable, not standout. If you’re drilling lots of stainless or thick steel, upgrade your bits.

Use cases it suits best

• Light to medium-duty fabrication and repair: gutters, siding trim, HVAC sheet metal, toolboxes, lawn equipment shields.
• Automotive and trailer interior panels where aluminum rivets are standard.
• DIYers who want a tidy, complete kit without piecing together nosepieces and rivets from different sources.

If your daily work involves hundreds of 3/16 in. stainless rivets, this isn’t the right class of tool; you’ll want a long-handle lever riveter or air/hydraulic gun. But for typical home, garage, and light trade use, it hits a practical balance of capability and convenience.

Verdict

The Wetols rivet gun is a thoughtfully packaged, easy-to-use hand riveter that handles the common sizes most DIYers and light-duty users need. It shines with 1/8 in. and 5/32 in. aluminum rivets, remains competent at 3/16 in. aluminum, and can pull smaller steel sizes when required. The tool-free nosepiece system, decent ergonomics, and organized case make it a stress-free grab-and-go kit.

Recommendation: I recommend it for homeowners, hobbyists, and tradespeople who need a reliable, compact rivet solution for occasional to moderate use—especially in aluminum and mixed light sheet goods. It’s not the tool for high-volume or heavy stainless work, but within its intended range it’s dependable, comfortable, and conveniently equipped.