Best Rivet Guns for Upgrading Your Tool Collection in 2026 — UK Buyer’s Guide
- Best overall: DEWALT 18V XR Brushless 6.4mm Rivet Gun — Its 20,000 N pulling force and 30mm stroke make it the most capable all-rounder here for l
- Runner-up: Gonytia RIVETER7 Brushless Rivet Gun — It covers rivets from 3.2mm to 6.4mm and claims roughly 1000 rivets per full charge, which
- Third choice: Arrow RH200 Rivet Tool, Black — The all-steel construction and four nose pieces make it a proper general-purpose hand rive
A good rivet gun turns blind riveting from a fiddly, two-handed job into a clean fastening task you can repeat without stripping threads or crushing the workpiece. For UK buyers, the difference is usually between a basic hand tool that suits occasional repairs and a powered model that can handle larger rivets, tougher materials and longer sessions without leaving your forearm aching.
This guide compares the strongest real options for 2026, from hand riveters with interchangeable nose pieces to cordless brushless guns with pull forces measured in newtons. It is aimed at anyone fitting metalwork, doing automotive repairs, working on canvas or wanting a tougher riveter for regular workshop use.
| Product | Price | Key detail | |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEWALT 18V XR Brushless 6.4mm Rivet Gun 🥇 Top Pick |
— | — | Check price |
| Gonytia RIVETER7 Brushless Rivet Gun 🥈 Runner-Up |
£250-£500 | HIGH EFFICIENCY- Can rivet approximately 1000… | Check price |
| Arrow RH200 Rivet Tool, Black 🥉 Third Place |
£20-£30 | 4 different size nose pieces | Check price |
| Stanley 6-MR55 All Steel Riveter 4th |
£20-£30 | — | Check price |
| Silverline Hand Riveter & 60 Rivets 260mm 5th |
Under £10 | Includes 60 rivets | Check price |
Specifications from Amazon product data. Price bands are a rough guide only — check the current price on Amazon before buying.
Our Top Picks
DEWALT 18V XR Brushless 6.4mm Rivet Gun
“Its 20,000 N pulling force and 30mm stroke make it the most capable all-rounder here for larger blind rivets, including stainless steel.”
This is the strongest and most polished option in the group. The 20,000 N pulling force and 30mm stroke give it the headroom to fasten blind rivets from 4.8mm to 6.4mm, so it is suited to a much wider range of jobs than a basic manual tool. The built-in LED light, tool-free nose piece changes and on-board nose piece storage are also practical touches that matter when you are moving between sizes on a real job.
The main drawback is that the data here is sparse on the battery side, so you are buying a platform tool rather than a clearly specced kit. There is also no obvious advantage if you only ever fit a handful of small rivets a year; for that, a simple hand riveter is more sensible. But if you want the most capable rivet gun in this list and you already use 18V XR gear, this is the one to beat.
- 20,000 N pulling force for tougher fastening jobs
- 30mm stroke helps complete applications in one go
- Handles blind rivets from 4.8mm to 6.4mm
- LED work light improves visibility in darker spaces
- No battery or kit contents are specified in the data provided
- Far more tool than many occasional DIY users will need
Best for: Tradespeople and serious DIYers who want the most capable cordless rivet gun here for larger rivets and repeated use
💬 Verdict: Choose this if you want the best-performing rivet gun in the list and already work with 18V XR tools.
Gonytia RIVETER7 Brushless Rivet Gun
“It covers rivets from 3.2mm to 6.4mm and claims roughly 1000 rivets per full charge, which is serious output for site work.”
This is the runner-up because it offers the widest stated size range and comes as a complete kit with two 18V 4.0Ah batteries plus a charger. It handles 1/8″ (3.2mm), 5/32″ (4.0mm), 3/16″ (4.8mm), 7/32″ (6.0mm) and 1/4″ (6.4mm) rivets, including aluminium, steel and stainless steel, so it is flexible enough for mixed materials and mixed jobs. The onboard mandrel collector and tool-free head exchange are the kind of features that save time when you are working at pace.
The weak point is that, unlike the DEWALT, there are no force figures or stroke measurements here, so you are trusting the claimed output rather than comparing hard numbers. It also sits in a more specialist bracket than most home users need, even with the batteries included. For someone who wants a self-contained cordless riveter for busy use, though, the 1000-rivet claim per charge is hard to ignore.
- Covers rivets from 3.2mm to 6.4mm
- Two 18V 4.0Ah batteries and a charger are included
- Claims around 1000 rivets per full charge
- Works with aluminium, steel and stainless steel rivets
- No pulling force or stroke figure is provided
- More machine than most occasional users need
Best for: Users who want a ready-to-go cordless rivet gun with batteries included and broad size compatibility
💬 Verdict: A strong choice if you want cordless convenience and the widest stated rivet-size range in the group.
Arrow RH200 Rivet Tool, Black
“The all-steel construction and four nose pieces make it a proper general-purpose hand riveter for metalwork, automotive and canvas jobs.”
This is a straightforward manual riveter that earns its place by being solid, simple and useful. The all-steel construction is the main selling point, and the four different size nose pieces give it enough versatility for common workshop and repair tasks. The extended nose design should also help when access is awkward, which is exactly where cheaper hand tools can become frustrating.
Its limitation is the same one most hand riveters share: it relies entirely on your grip and arm strength, so it is not the tool for long runs or larger stainless jobs. The spring-loaded handle helps, but it does not change the fact that this is best for smaller-scale work. If you want a durable hand tool rather than a powered riveter, though, this is one of the better-balanced options.
- All-steel construction should stand up well to regular use
- Four nose pieces increase versatility
- Extended nose design helps with tighter access
- Spring-loaded handle improves feel
- Manual operation will be tiring on bigger jobs
- No rivet-size figures are stated in the data provided
Best for: DIYers and small workshop users who want a durable hand riveter for mixed light-duty jobs
💬 Verdict: Pick this if you want a robust manual riveter without moving to a powered tool.
Stanley 6-MR55 All Steel Riveter
“It is an all-steel hand riveter, so it should be durable enough for occasional blind-rivet work without unnecessary complexity.”
This is the bare-bones option in the list: an all-steel riveter with no extra features listed. That simplicity can be useful if you just want a basic hand tool that is likely to last, especially for light repairs where a cordless model would be overkill. The lack of specifications is also its biggest weakness, because it gives you little to judge before buying beyond the fact it is all steel.
That makes it a sensible fallback rather than a standout buy. With no stated nose-piece range, no head-change system and no performance figures, it is harder to recommend over the Arrow RH200 unless you simply prefer the Stanley name or want the plainest possible tool. It will do the basic job, but it does not give you much to work with.
- All-steel construction suggests decent durability
- Simple design keeps it easy to understand and use
- Very few specifications are provided
- No stated nose pieces, sizes or other usability features
Best for: Buyers who want a very basic all-steel hand riveter and do not need extra features
💬 Verdict: A plain, functional choice, but not the most informative or flexible option here.
Silverline Hand Riveter & 60 Rivets 260mm
“For a first riveter, the included 60 rivets and interchangeable heads for 2.4, 3.2, 4.0 and 4.8mm fasteners make it genuinely practical.”
This is the best budget starter option because it gives you the tool and consumables together. The interchangeable heads cover 2.4, 3.2, 4.0 and 4.8mm rivets, which is a useful spread for small repairs and light fabrication. At 260mm long, it is compact enough to store easily and bring out for occasional jobs without taking over the toolbox.
The compromise is that the chemically blackened carbon steel build sounds sensible, but not especially heavy-duty, so this is not the one for frequent site use or long sessions. It is also a hand tool, so bigger rivets and tougher materials will still be hard work. As a cheap entry point, though, it is the most complete package in the group.
- Includes 60 rivets, so you can start using it straight away
- Interchangeable heads cover 2.4, 3.2, 4.0 and 4.8mm rivets
- 260mm length makes it compact and easy to store
- Carbon steel construction is less reassuring than all-steel premium hand tools
- Manual operation limits it to lighter-duty use
Best for: Occasional DIY users who want an inexpensive starter riveter with rivets included
💬 Verdict: The best low-cost buy here if you only need a basic hand riveter for light jobs.
What to Look For — Buyer’s Guide
What to Look For
Start with the rivet sizes you actually use. In this list, the cordless models cover from 3.2mm up to 6.4mm, while the Silverline hand tool is aimed at 2.4mm to 4.8mm rivets. If you work with stainless steel or do repeated fastening, a powered model with a clear pull figure is worth paying attention to; the DEWALT’s 20,000 N pulling force and 30mm stroke are the sort of numbers that show real capability. For manual tools, look for all-steel construction, a comfortable handle and a sensible nose-piece range.
Also check what is included. The Gonytia comes with two 18V 4.0Ah batteries and a charger, which matters if you want a complete cordless kit. The Silverline includes 60 rivets, which makes it better value for a first-time buyer than a bare tool. Details like tool-free head changes, onboard mandrel storage and an LED work light are not gimmicks; they make a difference when you are swapping sizes or working in poor light.
How Much Should You Spend?
For the simplest occasional jobs, a manual riveter is usually enough, and you do not need a powered gun for that. The Silverline is the obvious starting point if you are new to riveting and only need a small amount of use. Move up to the Arrow RH200 or Stanley 6-MR55 if you want a tougher hand tool for repeated DIY or light workshop work.
If you rivet regularly, or you are working with larger diameters and harder materials, a cordless brushless model makes more sense. Between the two powered options here, the DEWALT is the stronger performance pick, while the Gonytia is the more self-contained kit. Spend according to the amount of fastening you do, not just the headline power.
Our Verdict
The top pick is the DEWALT 18V XR Brushless 6.4mm Rivet Gun for buyers who want the strongest overall performance, with 20,000 N pulling force and 30mm stroke backing it up. The runner-up is the Gonytia RIVETER7 Brushless Rivet Gun, which suits anyone who wants a complete cordless kit with two 18V 4.0Ah batteries and broad rivet-size coverage from 3.2mm to 6.4mm.
If you only need a simple hand tool, the Arrow RH200 and Silverline Hand Riveter & 60 Rivets 260mm are the more sensible options, but for regular use the two cordless picks are clearly ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size rivet gun do I need for DIY jobs in the UK?
For light DIY, a hand riveter that covers 2.4mm to 4.8mm rivets is usually enough. If you need 4.8mm to 6.4mm rivets, or you work with stainless steel, a cordless model is the safer choice.
Are cordless rivet guns worth it over a manual riveter?
Yes, if you do a lot of rivets or use larger sizes. A cordless model with figures like 20,000 N pulling force or a 1000-rivet-per-charge claim will save a lot of effort compared with a hand tool.
Do I need a rivet gun with a mandrel collector?
It is not essential, but it is useful. A mandrel collector keeps loose stems from scattering across the floor or bench, which makes clean-up easier and reduces clutter on busy jobs.
