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Old 05-01-2023, 01:28 PM   #1
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2022
Location: Greenville, SC
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Year: 1991
Coachwork: Bluebird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Harbor Freight 1/4” Rivet Gun Problems/Thoughts/Questions/Advice/Tips

Hey guys, it’s been a sec. Been doing the mind numbing process of drilling holes in the roof raise skins. Finally beginning to rivet and I’ve run into a few issues with my gun. I hope that in time this forum will become a haven for those using this particular gun where they can troubleshoot and get advice and tips from those of you experienced with it.

Disclaimer: I’ve never used one so totally new. I already exchanged my first one because I thought it was broken. I’m starting to believe it’s user error but I guess time (and your replies) will tell.

Here’s the thing: first time, like I’ve heard from others, I took “the hydraulic oil fill level should only reach the top of the housing” to mean fill the whole damn lower chamber. I thank God I was outside when I pulled the trigger and it pressure washer my grass with a whole bottle of hydraulic fluid 😂 then through a lot of trial and error I was able to rivet on all my flasher deletes with no issues.

Only problem is the rivets don’t eject easily. I began popping a rivet, pulling the trigger again to recess the pin, pushing the next river in against the steel and releasing the trigger which usually popped it out. But I shouldn’t have to do this right? What’s going wrong? Eventually last night it just stopped riveting and the rivets got real stuck in the jaws I.e. they were “catawampus“ as my mom used to say. They were jetting to the side, separating the jaws slightly and were a PITA to get out with pliers. Some forums mentioned taking the back piece off so imma try that but what else?

I found a “replacement” pair of jaws in the package except they’re smaller? So maybe that was the problem. But I see there’s also a ton of things to adjust in the instructions (not that I read those or anything) like the jaw case, jaw cylinder, jaws, nose piece, lock nut, air pressure, level of hydraulic fluid, etc so I’m currently messing with all these but would love you intelligent folks to give me a solid direction to go with it.

Also I’m using sikaflex with the rivets and read that that can eventually gum up the jaws. Some articles mentioned graphite lubricant to spray in the jaws. I’m not familiar with what that is or if that’s the right name. But mainly curious what sort of maintenance beside air tool oil in the coupler this requires.

Here are two pics of what I’m looking at and a pic or the two sets of jaws contrasted to the rivets I’m using. https://imgur.com/a/iiAv1lD

These are my rivets: Closed End Stain. Rivet/Stain. Mandrel, Dome Hd, 1/4x .126-.250 Grip https://www.rivetsonline.com/closed-end-blind-rivet-pr84ffph/pr84ffph




P.S. I’ve heard a ton of people across sites mention it’s near impossible to remove the bottom cap for priming when you first get it. I’d been locking that one part in my bench vise then twisting the upper and it worked great BUT I realized the little brass hexagon thing they supply IS the socket. That fits in the middle of the supplied wrench and that’s sufficient to remove it! Y’all prob already know that but it blew my mind.

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Old 05-01-2023, 01:53 PM   #2
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Dec 2022
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Year: 1991
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Chassis: TC2000
Engine: Cummins 5.9
Also, if there are just fundamental issues with the HF gun this was gonna be my backup: Astro Pneumatic Tool PR14 Air Riveter - 3/32", 1/8", 5/32", 3/16" and 1/4" Capacity https://a.co/d/eUwPQqY
I’d be curious if anyone has any experience with this one
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Old 05-01-2023, 02:29 PM   #3
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I've used pneumatic riveters before and the jaws are released when you let go of the trigger. Usually, the pin just falls out the back or into a catch can. The jaws draw together when you squeeze the trigger, they shouldn't stick at all.
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Old 05-01-2023, 04:50 PM   #4
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I use the HF 1/4" riveter with no problems at all. It comes with the oil needed already in it though the instructions sound like you have to put the oil in.
I pull the trigger and the rivet sets. Sometimes it takes a second pull to pop off the center portion. Then I tip it up and the piece slides into the plastic catch cap on the back.
Be sure to wear goggles or a face shield as I have had a rivet shoot out the back with enough force that it penetrated the plastic catch.
Pull 4-10 rivets and then empty the catch cap.
Be sure you have enough air pressure in the line.
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Old 05-01-2023, 06:23 PM   #5
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It sounds like your air pressure is too low. What you describe will happen if the air pressure's not high enough...and for the 1/4-inch rivets, I find that I need to crank the regulator up to 110-120 for the gun to function properly.
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Old 05-01-2023, 11:08 PM   #6
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I got the chief from HF. If its the same run air into, pull the trigger and remove the aluminum snout. The jaws are adjustable and I had to mess with it every 20-30 minutes. Once you have it working good, remove the snout and tighten it down before it loosens up
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Old 05-02-2023, 09:42 PM   #7
Skoolie
 
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Thanks for the feedback. I’ve tried y’all’s suggestions but nothing has worked. I know it’s not low pressure cause I’ve got three regulators showing pressure and when I opened them all up to the max 150 it still just barely gripped. All my other air tools are working just fine so i don’t know what’s wrong with it but I’ve never been more pissed at a tool lol. I’m returning it tomorrow and have the Astro Pneumatic one arriving tomorrow. I’ll let y’all know how it compares to HF.

In a pinch I bought the Pittsburg hand riveter yesterday to finish the row I was on that was already sikaflex-ed (stuff was pretty much dry when I finally riveted but better late than never I guess).
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Old 05-02-2023, 11:04 PM   #8
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I've actually had much better luck with the cheaper HF riveters than their more-expensive Chief version. The cheap ones (about $65 or so) have worked reliably for me, with the pressure cranked up above their max listed spec for 1/4 inch rivets. My Astro was more expensive, but has been flawless through a couple of roof raises.
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Old 05-03-2023, 09:40 AM   #9
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I also have the HF 1/4" welder. It does a great job with 3/16" SS rivets but not so great with 1/4" SS ones. The deformation on the underside is usually just barely enough to hold the rivet in place and it takes two or three pulls to dislodge the pin. If it's not too late, go with 3/16" instead - they're substantially cheaper as well.
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Old 05-03-2023, 10:22 AM   #10
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I just did my first 1/4 Stainless blind rivets yesterday. I replaced a few factory rivets that were leaking. I used the HF blue 1/4 rivet gun. It took a few pulls and wiggles to get them to pop. It wasn't what i was expecting, but it worked.
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Old 05-06-2023, 11:36 PM   #11
Skoolie
 
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The astropnuematic worked like a DREAM and was literally about half as loud as the HF gun. I’m so glad I bought it. I get that many people have had great experiences with the HF one but that just was not my experience. No regrets with the Astro pneumatic tho. Much better construction and way easier to maintain. I like the triple jaws it has versus the two of the harbor freight. I also went ahead and bought their manual riveter to bring on the bus as well for repairs.

Finished riveting in the first skin tonight with the Astro! Really excited to finish the rest now! The bus has been in the elements for wayyy too long and I’ll be so happy when it’s finally fully skinned
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Old 05-07-2023, 10:47 AM   #12
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Well it is HF it could have been broken from the start lol
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Old 05-07-2023, 03:45 PM   #13
Skoolie
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Byrd Scheit View Post
Well it is HF it could have been broken from the start lol
Can’t argue with that �� also can’t be mad at HF cause their liberal return policy has arguably funded a good deal of this build haha!
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Old 05-07-2023, 09:06 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Byrd Scheit View Post
Well it is HF it could have been broken from the start lol
This reminded me that my first HF riveter was broken and I had to return it - luckily the replacement was fine.
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Old 05-08-2023, 11:01 PM   #15
Skoolie
 
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Update: when I brought it back to be returned (along with a couple other malfunctioning items) the general manager came out and wanted to pick a fight about returning the stuff. But when we got to the rivet gun he was like “oh yeah, I don’t care about that. Just saying it’s the river gun is enough to justify returning it” lol. So I guess it’s known to suck
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