Occasional aluminium repairs
You have one job on a shed, gate or cabinet, and the rivets are aluminium up to 4.8 mm. The Libraton 900913 has the largest review file in this set, plus four HSS drills, at about £14.99.
Rivet gun comparison 2026
The best rivet guns, compared.
Top pick: Xtremeauto 4-in-1 rivet gun set Best value: ValueMax 4-in-1 rivet gun kit – About £13.01 with 200 aluminium rivets, tool-free noses and 4.3 from 2,147 reviews. Updated October 2026.
A rivet gun sets a blind rivet from one side of the work. You pull the mandrel until it snaps, and the head stays in the body. UK buyers are repairing sheds, gutters, garage doors and light trim. The decision is the nosepiece range, whether the handles can pull the rivet metal, and whether the jaws release the stem. The and the kit also list 6.4 mm, which is not a measured rating. Steel and stainless need more pull, and a silent listing means capacity is unknown. The [rivet gun buying guide](/hub/pliers/rivet-gun/sub/rivet-gun-buying-guide) sets the order of those choices. You drill a hole, match the nosepiece to the rivet diameter, seat the rivet, and squeeze or run the drill until the mandrel breaks.
A rivet gun sets a blind rivet from one side of the work. You pull the mandrel until it snaps, and the head stays in the body. UK buyers are repairing sheds, gutters, garage doors and light trim.
38 products checked · 58 hrs invested · +21,400 readers
11 of 11: Best rivet guns compared
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1-2 of 11Best overall
Best value
6.4/10
8.5/10
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8.6/10
8.8/10
8.5/10
8.3/10
8.2/10
7.0/10
5.1/10
6.6/10
∼ £14
∼ £20
∼ £35
∼ £19
∼ £15
∼ £30
∼ £13
∼ £6
∼ £21
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∼ £11
5.0(5)
4.5(2,800)
4.4(2,027)
4.4(697)
4.3(8,178)
4.3(2,491)
4.3(2,147)
4.2(2,000)
4.2(242)
4.0(17)
3.7(460)
Personal buying guide
Which rivet gun fits this job?
Question 1 of 2
Does one hand have to stay on the panel?
The best rivet guns in detail
Our view
The Xtremeauto XARG200 is a two-handed set at £13.99 and 850 g, with quick-change noses from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm, 200 aluminium rivets and a storage box. The star line reads 5.0, and that figure comes from five reviews, which is too small a file to treat as a reliability record. The box and the split of 50 rivets of each size are listed, which is more complete packaging than the Rolson bullet. Nothing in a five-review sample shows how the jaws behave when a 4.8 mm rivet will not snap. A 5.0 score on five ratings is not a reason to prefer it to guns with thousands of reviews at a similar price. Keep it in view only if the storage box is what you need and you accept that the stars are barely tested.
Pros
- 200 aluminium rivets, 50 of each of four sizes
- Storage box listed with the gun
- Quick-change noses from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm
- £13.99, close to the other mid-price pliers
Cons
- 5.0 from only five reviews
- No drill bits listed
- 850 g with no review pattern on a hard 4.8 mm rivet
Best for: A buyer who wants a boxed four-size kit and will not treat five stars as a test.
Less suitable: Anyone choosing on star rating alone, or who needs a 6.4 mm nose.
Specifications
- Model
- Xtremeauto 4-in-1 rivet gun set
- Brand
- Xtremeauto
- Price
- ∼£14
- Customer rating
- 5.0/5(5)
- Format
- Two-handed kit
- Nosepieces
- 2.4–4.8 mm
- Largest nose
- 4.8 mm
- Nose change
- Quick-change
- Rivets
- 200 (50 each)
- Case
- Storage box
- Handle
- Non-slip
- Weight
- 850 g
Common questions
How easy are the nosepieces to change?
The bullet says quick-change nosepieces, so you can swap sizes without wasting time. The four sizes run from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm.
Can it be used on more than metal?
The bullet lists plastics as well as automotive panels, sheet, gutters and similar jobs. The included rivets are aluminium.
Are the rivets enough to start?
The listing includes 200 aluminium rivets, 50 of each of the four sizes, in a storage box. The star line is 5.0 from five reviews.
Our view
The WORKPRO W023022 is a 250 mm two-handed gun at £19.99 and 760 g, with five knurled noses from 2.4 mm to 6.4 mm and a bullet that claims 100 rivets. It scores 4.5 from 2,800 reviews, the highest stars among the large files here. Reviews both praise a 6.4 mm rivet and say large rivets stopped working, so the fifth nose is not a capacity rating. The listing says not to unscrew the body to clear a stem: take the nose off, fit a larger one, and open the handles. No case is on the contents line, and that line says a 10-inch gun while the bullet mentions the rivets, so the 100-rivet claim is not confirmed by the contents field. Buy it when you might need a 6.4 mm nose for aluminium and you will test one rivet before you trust the rest.
Pros
- Five noses, including 6.4 mm, changed by hand
- 4.5 from 2,800 reviews
- 250 mm body with curved non-slip handles
- A printed way to clear a stem without opening the body
Cons
- Reviews say large rivets stopped working as well as setting
- The 100-rivet bullet is not repeated on the contents line
- No case listed
Best for: Aluminium work that might include a 6.4 mm rivet, if you trial that size first.
Less suitable: Stainless 6.4 mm, or anyone who reads the fifth nose as a rated capacity.
Specifications
- Model
- WORKPRO 250 mm 5-in-1 rivet gun
- Brand
- WORKPRO
- Price
- ∼£20
- Customer rating
- 4.5/5(2,800)
- Format
- Five-nose gun
- Nosepieces
- 2.4–6.4 mm
- Largest nose
- 6.4 mm
- Nose change
- Tool-free
- Rivets
- 100 claimed
- Handle
- Curved non-slip
- Weight
- 760 g
Common questions
What projects does the listing name?
Gutters, furniture, drawers and small cases, including narrow spaces. The fifth nose is 6.4 mm.
Is the nosepiece tool-free?
Yes. The bullet says the knurled noses change by hand. It also says to match the nose to the rivet.
Does it come with a case?
The page asks. The included-components line says the 10-inch rivet gun and does not list a case.
Our view
The KLRStec kit at £34.99 is an 800 g two-handed gun described as heavy-duty carbon steel, with quick-change noses from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm stored on the gun, 120 aluminium rivets, four HSS drills and a case. It scores 4.4 from 2,027 reviews. Some reviews complain about leverage, so the carbon-steel line is not proof that a hard rivet will snap. There is no 6.4 mm nose. At the top of this price band you are paying for the case, the drills and the steel body, not for a larger diameter. It is the kit to look at when you want the gun and the bits in one box and your rivets stay within 4.8 mm aluminium, if you can accept that some reviewers still fought the handles.
Pros
- Case, four HSS drills and 120 aluminium rivets
- Quick-change noses stored on the gun, 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm
- Heavy-duty carbon steel body at 800 g
- 4.4 from 2,027 reviews
Cons
- £34.99, the dearest gun in this set
- Leverage complaints in reviews
- No 6.4 mm nose
Best for: A cased four-size kit for aluminium rivets up to 4.8 mm, with drills kept in the same box.
Less suitable: A tight budget, a 6.4 mm rivet, or stainless that a short plier will not snap.
Specifications
- Model
- KLRStec pop rivet gun kit
- Brand
- KLRStec
- Price
- ∼£35
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(2,027)
- Format
- Two-handed kit
- Nosepieces
- 2.4–4.8 mm
- Largest nose
- 4.8 mm
- Nose change
- Quick-change
- Rivets
- 120 (30 each)
- Drill bits
- 4 HSS
- Case
- Storage case
- Handle
- Non-slip TPU
- Weight
- 800 g
Common questions
What is it made of?
The table says heavy-duty carbon steel. The grips are non-slip TPU. The rivets are aluminium.
Can it be used on leather?
The page asks. The bullets list sheet metal, aluminium and plastic, not leather.
Does it come with a case?
Yes. The bullet includes a storage case, plus four HSS drills and 120 rivets.
Our view
The Libraton 919011 at £18.99 and 840 g adds a removal nozzle and a safety lock to a two-handed gun that scores 4.4 from 697 reviews. Four noses from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm are described as tool-free, and the box includes 120 aluminium rivets, 30 of each size, plus four drills. The listing says the removal nozzle is for a stuck rivet rod, which it says usually happens when the rivet and the nozzle differ in size. No storage case is listed. You are paying for that clearance piece and the lock, not for a diameter above 4.8 mm. It suits a gun you keep if you have already jammed a stem and want the nozzle in the kit, provided 697 reviews are enough evidence for you.
Pros
- Removal nozzle for a stuck rivet rod
- Tool-free noses from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm
- 120 aluminium rivets and four drills
- 4.4 from 697 reviews, with a safety lock
Cons
- No storage case listed
- Still a 4.8 mm maximum nose
- 697 reviews is a smaller file than the Libraton 900913 or the WORKPRO
Best for: A two-handed kit up to 4.8 mm when you want a removal nozzle and drills together.
Less suitable: A 6.4 mm rivet, or a buyer who will not pay £18.99 without a case.
Specifications
- Model
- Libraton rivet gun set 919011
- Brand
- LIBRATON
- Price
- ∼£19
- Customer rating
- 4.4/5(697)
- Format
- Two-handed kit
- Nosepieces
- 2.4–4.8 mm
- Largest nose
- 4.8 mm
- Nose change
- Tool-free
- Rivets
- 120 (30 each)
- Drill bits
- 4 bits
- Handle
- TPR, safety lock
- Weight
- 840 g
Common questions
Can it be used on canvas?
Yes. The application bullet names canvas as well as metal, automotive and HVAC work. The supplied rivets are aluminium.
Does it come with a case?
The page asks. The contents line lists the gun, drills, a removal nozzle and 120 rivets, not a case.
What is the removal nozzle for?
The listing says it is for taking out a stuck rivet rod, which it says usually happens when the rivet and the nozzle differ in size.
Our view
Across 8,178 amazon.co.uk reviews, the Libraton 900913 at £14.99 and 730 g is the two-handed gun with the largest review file in this set, at 4.3 stars. The box lists four heads from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm, 80 aluminium rivets, four HSS drills and a wrench. A listing note says a rivet that does not match the nozzle can catch in the tool. One UK review says some heavier rivets snapped halfway and had to be sawn off, so the 4.8 mm nose is not a promise about steel or long rivets. The bullet also claims one-handed use on a gun that is still a two-handle plier, and no case is listed. In this comparison it is the top pick for occasional aluminium rivets up to 4.8 mm, because of that review count and the drills, not because the wrench or the 80 rivets are the most convenient kit.
Pros
- 4.3 from 8,178 reviews, the largest file in this set
- Four HSS drills with 80 aluminium rivets
- Noses from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm and a wrench in the box
- £14.99 and 730 g
Cons
- A UK review says heavier rivets snapped halfway
- Nose change needs the wrench, and no case is listed
- The one-hand claim sits on a two-handle plier
- 80 rivets is a smaller starter pack than the 200-piece kits
Best for: Occasional aluminium rivets up to 4.8 mm when you want the largest review file and drills in the box.
Less suitable: Stainless or long rivets, a 6.4 mm nose, or a job that needs one hand left on the panel.
Specifications
- Model
- Libraton hand rivet gun 900913
- Brand
- LIBRATON
- Price
- ∼£15
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(8,178)
- Format
- Two-handed kit
- Nosepieces
- 2.4–4.8 mm
- Largest nose
- 4.8 mm
- Nose change
- Wrench
- Rivets
- 80 aluminium
- Drill bits
- 4 HSS
- Handle
- PVC anti-slip
- Weight
- 730 g
Common questions
What materials does the listing name?
Metal and heavy fabric. The uses named are automotive, HVAC and furniture, among others. The rivets in the box are aluminium.
Does it come with a case?
The page asks. The bullets list rivets, drills and a wrench, not a case. You would store the gun loose.
What if the rivet sticks?
The note says the rivet must be the same size as the nozzle, or it can catch in the tool. Match the nose before you squeeze.
Our view
The Libraton 919009 is the only one-handed kit in this set, at £29.99 and 1.19 kg, with four tool-free noses from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm, 200 aluminium rivets, four drills, a removal nozzle and a blow-moulded box. It scores 4.3 from 2,491 reviews. Reviews praise shed and boat jobs, and they also say a strong arm was required. One review used two hands, and another says a stem stuck after a single rivet. A further UK review says the case is too small for all the rivets. One-handed use frees a hand for the panel. It does not add a 6.4 mm nose, and these reviews do not show that the squeeze becomes light. Choose it when you must hold the sheet, and expect the handle still to take force.
Pros
- One-handed handle with a safety lock
- Blow-moulded box, 200 rivets, four drills and a removal nozzle
- 4.3 from 2,491 reviews
- Tool-free noses from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm
Cons
- Reviews still mention a strong arm, and one person used two hands
- A stem stuck after one rivet in a UK review
- The case is reported as too small for all the rivets
- 1.19 kg and no 6.4 mm nose
Best for: A panel you have to hold with the other hand, using aluminium rivets up to 4.8 mm.
Less suitable: A hard or 6.4 mm rivet, or a tight space where a long one-handed body will not fit.
Specifications
- Model
- Libraton one-handed rivet gun set
- Brand
- LIBRATON
- Price
- ∼£30
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(2,491)
- Format
- One-handed kit
- Nosepieces
- 2.4–4.8 mm
- Largest nose
- 4.8 mm
- Nose change
- Tool-free
- Rivets
- 200 (50 each)
- Drill bits
- 4 bits
- Case
- Blow-moulded box
- Handle
- One-handed TPR
- Weight
- 1190 g
Common questions
What jobs does the listing name?
Metal work, automotive repair, HVAC and canvas. The noses stop at 4.8 mm.
Does it come with a storage case?
Yes. The contents include a blow-moulded box. One UK review says the case is too small for all the rivets.
Is it only for one hand?
The title and the handle claim one-handed use, with a safety lock. One UK review says two hands were used.
Our view
The ValueMax V026001 is a two-handed kit at £13.01 and 500 g, and the listing ranks it number 1 in Riveters, with knurled noses from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm and 200 aluminium rivets, 50 of each size. It scores 4.3 from 2,147 reviews. The noses are described as tool-free, and the handles as anti-slip with a booster spring. Some UK review texts report a jammed stem, so matching the nose to the rivet is not optional on this gun either. No case is on the contents line, which lists the gun and the 200 rivets. Rank 1 is a sales position on that page, not a measured pulling force. For a short run of aluminium rivets up to 4.8 mm it is the best value in this comparison, if you can store it without a box.
Pros
- 200 aluminium rivets, 50 of each size from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm
- Knurled noses the listing says you change without a spanner
- 4.3 from 2,147 reviews at £13.01
- Anti-slip handles and a booster spring are named
Cons
- Some UK reviews report a jammed stem
- No case on the contents line
- Riveters rank 1 is a sales position, not a pull rating
Best for: Occasional aluminium rivets up to 4.8 mm when you want a full starter pack under £15.
Less suitable: Stainless or 6.4 mm rivets, or a job where one hand must stay on the panel.
Specifications
- Model
- ValueMax 4-in-1 rivet gun kit
- Brand
- ValueMax
- Price
- ∼£13
- Customer rating
- 4.3/5(2,147)
- Format
- Two-handed kit
- Nosepieces
- 2.4–4.8 mm
- Largest nose
- 4.8 mm
- Nose change
- Tool-free
- Rivets
- 200 (50 each)
- Handle
- Anti-slip
- Weight
- 500 g
Common questions
What can it join?
The bullet says plastic, metal and more, and names doors, windows and drawer pulls. The included rivets are aluminium.
Does it come with a case?
The page asks. The contents line lists the gun and 200 rivets, not a case.
Can the noses be changed without a spanner?
Yes. The bullet says the nosepieces are knurled for a tool-free change, and that the rivet must match the nose.
Our view
The Rolson 44409 is a two-handed plier at £5.98, listed at 590 g, with four heads from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm and a spanner to change them. Across 2,000 amazon.co.uk reviews it sits at 4.2, which is a large file for a gun whose bullet claims 75 rivets. The technical table does not name a body material, and the handle field is empty, so the listing does not say how the grips feel. No case is listed. Head changes need the included spanner, rather than a knurled nose you turn by hand. It will set ordinary aluminium rivets up to 4.8 mm if you already have a drill and somewhere to keep a loose tool, though the 75-rivet line is a claim, not a counted pack of each size.
Pros
- Four heads from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm at £5.98
- 4.2 from 2,000 reviews
- Spanner included for the head change
- 590 g, lighter than the kits around 1 kg
Cons
- Nose change needs the spanner
- No case listed, and the handle is not described
- 75 rivets is a bullet claim, not a counted set of each size
Best for: A one-off aluminium repair up to 4.8 mm when the budget stays near £6.
Less suitable: Anyone who wants tool-free noses, a case, or a 6.4 mm rivet.
Specifications
- Model
- Rolson 44409 four-head rivet gun
- Brand
- Rolson
- Price
- ∼£6
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(2,000)
- Format
- Two-handed kit
- Nosepieces
- 2.4–4.8 mm
- Largest nose
- 4.8 mm
- Nose change
- Spanner
- Rivets
- 75 claimed
- Weight
- 590 g
Common questions
How do you change the heads?
The listing says a spanner is included to interchange the four heads. Those heads are 2.4 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm and 4.8 mm.
Does it come with a case?
The page asks. The bullets do not list a case. The 75 rivets are a bullet claim, not a counted set of each size.
What is the body made of?
The technical table does not name a material. The page question about leather is also unanswered, and the handle field is empty.
Our view
The JiGiU kit at £21.24 weighs 1.1 kg and lists five hand-changed nozzles, including 6.4 mm, plus 200 rivets and a PVC bottle for the stems. It scores 4.2 from 242 reviews. The bullet says an aluminium-alloy body and steel-alloy jaws. A UK return says the 6.4 mm size would not set, so the extra nose carries the same dispute as the WORKPRO. The bullets name metal plates and pipes, not wood, and no case is listed. The collection bottle keeps spent mandrels in one place, which does not add pull. At this weight it is a five-nose option only if you would rather have 200 rivets than the WORKPRO’s larger review file, and you accept that 6.4 mm may not snap.
Pros
- Five nozzles, including 6.4 mm, changed by hand
- 200 rivets and a stem collection bottle
- Aluminium-alloy body and steel-alloy jaws claimed
- 4.2 from 242 reviews at £21.24
Cons
- A UK return says 6.4 mm would not set
- 1.1 kg, with no case listed
- 242 reviews is a thinner file than the WORKPRO at a similar price
Best for: A five-nose kit when the stem bottle and 200 rivets matter more than review volume.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs 6.4 mm to set first time, or who is joining wood.
Specifications
- Model
- JiGiU 5-in-1 pop rivet gun kit
- Brand
- JiGiU
- Price
- ∼£21
- Customer rating
- 4.2/5(242)
- Format
- Five-nose gun
- Nosepieces
- 2.4–6.4 mm
- Largest nose
- 6.4 mm
- Nose change
- By hand
- Rivets
- 200
- Case
- Stem bottle
- Handle
- Compound hinges
- Weight
- 1100 g
Common questions
What is it made of?
The bullet says an aluminium alloy body and steel alloy jaws, with a thickened handle. The listing weight is 1.1 kg.
Can it be used on wood?
The page asks. The bullets name metal plates and pipes, not wood.
Does it come with a case?
The page asks. The contents are the tool, five nozzles, 200 rivets and a PVC collection bottle, not a case for the gun.
Our view
The Mardatt M728 is listed as an 8 inch gun at £15.99 and 810 g, with four noses from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm and 120 aluminium rivets in six lengths. It scores 4.0 from 17 reviews, and only two of the review texts are from the UK file, which is too thin to read as a pattern. The bullet says an aluminium-alloy body with PVC sleeves, and the printed method is to match the head, clip the rivet in, squeeze, and break the mandrel. How you change the nose is not stated. A clear box is listed for the rivets, not as a case for the gun. Seventeen reviews do not show whether the 8 inch claim adds useful leverage on a 4.8 mm rivet.
Pros
- 120 aluminium rivets in six lengths
- Four noses covering 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm
- PVC sleeves on an 8 inch gun listed at 810 g
- A clear box for the rivets
Cons
- 4.0 from 17 reviews, with two UK review texts
- Nose change is not described
- The rivet box is not a case for the gun
Best for: A buyer who wants six rivet lengths in one £15.99 kit and will judge the gun in person.
Less suitable: Anyone who needs a large UK review file, a stated nose-change method, or a 6.4 mm nose.
Specifications
- Model
- Mardatt 8 inch rivet gun kit
- Brand
- Mardatt
- Price
- ∼£16
- Customer rating
- 4.0/5(17)
- Format
- Two-handed kit
- Nosepieces
- 2.4–4.8 mm
- Largest nose
- 4.8 mm
- Rivets
- 120, six lengths
- Case
- Rivet box
- Handle
- PVC sleeves
- Weight
- 810 g
Common questions
Can it be used on metal sheet?
The bullet lists metal products, roofing, automotive and HVAC among the uses. The noses cover 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm.
What is the gun made of?
The bullet says aluminium alloy with heat treatment, and PVC sleeves on the handles. The listing weight is 810 g.
How do you set a rivet with it?
The listing says: choose a matching head, clip in the rivet, squeeze, and break the mandrel. How you change the nose is not stated.
Our view
The LSLANSOON APP102 is a drill adapter at £11.04 and 440 g, with four nozzles from 3/32 in to 3/16 in, which is 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm, and a hex shank that only pulls once it is chucked in a drill. The listing scores 3.7 from 460 reviews, the lowest star line in this set. The kit is the adapter, a wrench, a side handle and four nozzles. Rivets are not included, so the price is the head only. The side handle steadies the tool, but the squeeze still comes from the drill, and you reverse it to eject the stem. Too much reverse can split a head of this type, and the listing does not print a pull rating. Use it when a drill is already in your hand, and buy the rivets separately.
Pros
- Four nozzles from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm on a hex shank
- Side handle and wrench included
- 440 g head at £11.04
- Leaves both hands off a pair of plier handles
Cons
- 3.7 from 460 reviews, the lowest stars in this set
- No rivets in the box
- Needs a drill, and a hard reverse can split this style of head
Best for: Someone who already owns a drill and wants a 2.4–4.8 mm head rather than a second pair of handles.
Less suitable: A first rivet gun, or any job where you do not want to buy rivets separately.
Specifications
- Model
- LSLANSOON drill rivet-gun adapter
- Brand
- LSLANSOON
- Price
- ∼£11
- Customer rating
- 3.7/5(460)
- Format
- Drill adapter
- Nosepieces
- 2.4–4.8 mm
- Largest nose
- 4.8 mm
- Nose change
- Wrench
- Rivets
- None
- Handle
- Side handle
- Weight
- 440 g
Common questions
Does this work without a drill?
No. The listing says a hex joint connects it to an electric drill. The pull comes from the drill, not from plier handles.
Are rivets included?
The kit list is the adapter, a wrench, a handle and four nozzles. Rivets are not listed, so you buy them separately.
Is this a rivet-nut tool?
The nozzles are 3/32 in to 3/16 in blind-rivet sizes. The listing is in Riveters, which is a pop rivet head, not a threaded insert.
How we compared
Eleven rivet guns on amazon.co.uk were scored from the listing facts in this set on 15 October 2026. Stars, review volume, what the listing states, UK review notes and price are marked out of 35, 25, 20, 10 and 10. Named failures, such as a jammed stem or a large rivet that would not snap, are then deducted. There was no pull test. A 6.4 mm nosepiece, a Riveters rank, and 5.0 from five reviews are not capacity.
1
Stars
35%Amazon stars on that amazon.co.uk listing, scaled to 35 points. The star line is not multiplied by 20 to invent the editorial score.
2
Review volume
25%A larger genuine review count adds confidence, up to 25 points. A file under 20 reviews scores 2 before a further deduction.
3
Listing detail
20%Points for noses, how they change, rivets, the handle, and whether the contents line agrees. A drill adapter with no rivets scores low.
4
UK fit
10%From the UK review notes on those listings. A described job with a limited complaint scores higher than a tool that needs a drill and ships no rivets.
5
Price
10%Shelf price against the review file and what the kit lists. A two-handed kit under £16 with a long file scores higher than a thin file at a similar price.
Independent review
Last updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Rivet gun buying guide
Start with the rivet diameter and the metal, then with whether one hand must stay on the panel. What is in the box comes after that. The notes below follow that order for these eleven listings.
What is a rivet gun?
A rivet gun in this comparison is a hand plier, or a head you chuck in a drill, that sets a blind rivet from one side. EN ISO 14588:2000 names that rivet as one you set from one side only, and a break-pull mandrel that snaps and leaves its head in the body. You drill a hole, match the nosepiece to the rivet diameter, seat the rivet, and squeeze or run the drill until the mandrel breaks. The spent stem is scrap.
Best for
- Occasional DIY on a shed, gate or cabinet with aluminium rivets up to 4.8 mm
- A panel you have to hold, so one hand stays on the sheet
- Light sheet and trim such as gutters, number plates and non-structural panels
Not ideal for
- Structural or load-rated joints, and stainless 6.4 mm
- Anyone reading a 6.4 mm nose, a Riveters rank, or five reviews as a capacity test
- A rivet-nut job, which needs a different tool
Mistakes to avoid
- 1
Using the wrong nosepiece
GESIPA UK says the nosepiece must match the rivet diameter or you damage the joint and the tool. A stuck stem on the Libraton 919011 is described as the usual result when the rivet and the nozzle differ in size.
- 2
Treating a 6.4 mm nose as a rating
WORKPRO and JiGiU list 6.4 mm. Reviews on the WORKPRO say large rivets stopped working, and a UK return on the JiGiU says 6.4 mm would not set. Trial one rivet. Stainless needs more pull than these aluminium kit bags state.
- 3
Buying a rivet nut tool for a pop rivet
A blind rivet snaps a mandrel and leaves a head in the body. A rivet nut is a threaded insert. The drill adapter in this set is a blind-rivet head. Do not treat a euro catalogue price as an amazon.co.uk price.
What to weigh up
Nosepiece diameter and rivet metal
HighStart with the diameters you will actually set. Almost every listing kept for this page includes 2.4 mm, 3.2 mm, 4.0 mm and 4.8 mm. The WORKPRO W023022 and the JiGiU kit also list 6.4 mm. GESIPA UK says the nosepiece must match the rivet diameter, or you damage the joint and the tool. A knurled nose you turn by hand is convenient. A spanner or wrench is not a fault if it is in the box, but you do need it with you. The rivets supplied with these kits are aluminium.
Handle type and what is in the box
HighTwo-handled pliers are the default in this set. They need both hands, which is fine on a bench and awkward when the sheet moves. The Libraton 919009 is the one-handed kit, at about £29.99. It frees a hand for the panel. Reviews still mention a strong arm, and one reviewer used two hands, so the format does not mean a light squeeze. The LSLANSOON APP102 is a drill adapter at about £11.04. It needs a drill, ships no rivets, and a hard reverse can split this style of head.
Which option suits you?
Three typical situations, each with a recommendation from this comparison.
One hand stays on the panel
You need the other hand on the sheet. The Libraton 919009 is the only one-handed kit here, at about £29.99. Reviews still mention a strong arm, and it stops at 4.8 mm.
Light sheet that might need 6.4 mm
Gutters, number plates and thin panels stay in this set. If a 6.4 mm aluminium rivet is possible, the WORKPRO lists that nose. Trial one rivet first. Structural brackets and stainless 6.4 mm need a supplier.
Common questions about rivet guns
Which rivet gun is the top pick in this set?
The top pick for occasional aluminium rivets up to 4.8 mm is the Libraton 900913, at about £14.99. amazon.co.uk shows 4.3 from 8,178 reviews, the largest file here. The box lists four noses from 2.4 mm to 4.8 mm, 80 aluminium rivets, four HSS drills and a wrench. One UK review said heavier rivets snapped halfway. It is not a pull test, and a 6.4 mm job is outside this pick.
How much does a rivet gun cost on amazon.co.uk?
On these eleven amazon.co.uk shelves, checked on 15 October 2026, prices run from about £5.98 to about £34.99. The Rolson is about £5.98 and the drill adapter about £11.04. Mid-range runs from the ValueMax at about £13.01 to the JiGiU at about £21.24. The one-handed Libraton is about £29.99 and the KLRStec about £34.99. Under £15 you are mostly buying a four-size nose and some aluminium rivets. Around £30 you pay for a case.
What should I check before I buy a rivet gun?
Match the nosepiece to the rivet diameter. GESIPA UK says a mismatch damages the joint and the tool. Almost every kit here covers 2.4–4.8 mm. Only the WORKPRO and the JiGiU list 6.4 mm, and that nose is not a capacity rating. Grip is the stack thickness, and the rivet’s published range must include it. These bags are aluminium. If the listing is silent on steel or stainless, treat the pull as unknown. A case, drills or a removal nozzle do not change jaw strength.
Does a 6.4 mm nosepiece mean the gun can set 6.4 mm rivets?
No. A 6.4 mm nosepiece is not, by itself, a 6.4 mm rating. The WORKPRO W023022 lists five noses to 6.4 mm and shows 4.5 from 2,800 reviews. Reviews both praise a 6.4 mm rivet and say large rivets stopped working. A UK return on the JiGiU kit says the 6.4 mm size would not set. Trial one rivet of that size before you trust the rest. Stainless 6.4 mm is outside these aluminium kit bags.
When is a one-handed rivet gun the right tool?
Choose a one-handed gun when the other hand has to stay on the panel. In this set that is the Libraton 919009, about £29.99, with four noses to 4.8 mm, 200 aluminium rivets, drills, a removal nozzle and a box. It shows 4.3 from 2,491 reviews. Reviews still mention a strong arm, and one person used two hands. It does not add a 6.4 mm nose. Two handles remain the default when both hands are free.
What hole size does a blind rivet need?
Drill about 0.1 mm over the rivet body. The DIN 7337 table Westfield publishes, and GESIPA UK, give 3.3 mm for a 3.2 mm rivet, 4.1 mm for 4.0 mm, 4.9 mm for 4.8 mm, and 6.5 mm for 6.4 mm. A hole at the nominal diameter, or one that is far too big, is a common reason a rivet will not set. The nosepiece must match the rivet diameter as well. These figures come from those public tables.
Is a rivet nut tool the same as a rivet gun?
No. A rivet gun here sets a blind rivet, also called a pop rivet, by snapping a mandrel. A rivet-nut tool sets a threaded insert. The nozzles on the drill adapter in this set are 3/32 in to 3/16 in blind-rivet sizes, and that listing sits in Riveters. Do not buy a rivet-nut set for a pop rivet, or the other way round. For threaded inserts, see the rivet nut pliers comparison. A euro catalogue price is not a UK shelf price.
When should I stop and call a professional?
Call a professional for a structural or load-rated joint, or for a rivet the tool does not rate. The same applies at a height where you cannot keep both hands on the gun, and on a painted panel where a bad hole costs more than the job. At work, PUWER 1998 requires a suitable, maintained tool and instruction. At home, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 covers satisfactory quality and goods as described. This page does not report a shear figure.
Our verdict
In this set of eleven amazon.co.uk listings, the top pick for occasional aluminium rivets up to 4.8 mm is the Libraton 900913. It is about £14.99, with 4.3 from 8,178 reviews, four noses, 80 aluminium rivets, four HSS drills and a wrench. One UK review sawed off stems that snapped halfway, and a 6.4 mm job is outside this pick. The best value is the ValueMax V026001 at about £13.01, with 200 aluminium rivets, knurled noses and 4.3 from 2,147 reviews. UK texts include a jammed stem, and no case is on the contents line. Hold the panel with the Libraton 919009 only if 4.8 mm is enough. Look at the WORKPRO when you might need a 6.4 mm nose, and test that size before you trust it.
Best value
View offer
ValueMax 4-in-1 rivet gun kit
About £13.01 with 200 aluminium rivets, tool-free noses and 4.3 from 2,147 reviews.
Editorial
Editor
Rivet gunsHand toolsamazon.co.uk listings
Products Compared publishes British-English buying guides based on amazon.co.uk listings and public UK sources. We do not run a lab and we do not invent test scores.
Updated: October 2026
8 sources checked
Guides to rivet guns
Guides on what to look for, how to use a product, and common mistakes.
Rivet gun buying guideDiameter, grip, rivet metal and tool type before the brandBest rivet gunsTop pick and best value for ordinary 2.4–4.8 mm aluminium, and who should skip themHow to use a rivet gunDrill the hole, match the nose, squeeze until the mandrel breaks, then clear the stemOne-handed or two-handedWhen one hand must stay on the work, and when two handles are the pointRivet guns for sheet metalGutters, sheds, thin panels and light trim, rather than a structural joint
Related comparisons
Sources
Public UK and standards sources listed in the research digest, checked with the amazon.co.uk prices and stars dated 15 October 2026. Shelf prices can change.
- ISO 14588:2000 Blind rivets — Terminology and definitions (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- ISO 15977:2002 Open end blind rivets with break pull mandrel (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- GESIPA UK: Find the right nosepiece (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- GESIPA UK: Calculate the length of blind rivets (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- JRP: Blind rivets application guide (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- Westfield Fasteners: DIN 7337 blind rivet tables (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- HSE: PUWER overview (retrieved 15 October 2026)
- Consumer Rights Act 2015 (retrieved 15 October 2026)
This page contains affiliate links to amazon.co.uk. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices, stars and review counts are from the UK listings checked on 15 October 2026. We did not lab-test these rivet guns.