How to remove a Rivet?

How to remove rivets? This is a seemingly simple, yet troublesome question. A rivet is a common metal connecting piece. Its principle is to use a rivet gun to pull out the tail of the rivet to deform it, thereby firmly fixing two or more metal or non-metal pieces together. The advantage of rivets is that they are firmly connected and not easy to loosen, and they are simple to operate and do not require complicated tools. However, the disadvantage of rivets is also obvious; once connected, it is difficult to disassemble. You run into trouble if you accidentally rivet the wrong part, or you want to replace parts. So, is there any way to remove rivets easily? Today, I will introduce several commonly used methods of removing rivets, hoping to help you.

Method 1: Drill out the rivets
This is the most common and direct method, which is to use an electric drill or other similar tool to drill out the head of the rivet, and then use pliers or a hammer to knock out the tail of the rivet. The advantage of this method is that it is relatively fast and does not require special tools, just a drill bit and a drill. However, the disadvantage of this method is also obvious, that is, it will destroy the integrity of the rivets. If you want to use the rivets again, you need to buy them again. Moreover, during the process of drilling out the rivets, metal shavings or sparks may be produced, so safety precautions need to be taken. In addition, when drilling out rivets, you should also pay attention to choosing a suitable drill bit, which is generally slightly smaller than the diameter of the rivet to avoid damaging the connected parts.

Method 2: Pry open the rivets
This is a relatively labor-saving method, which is to use a screwdriver or other similar tool to pry open the head of the rivet, and then use pliers or a hammer to pull out the tail of the rivet. The advantage of this method is that it does not require a drill or other power tools, just a screwdriver. Moreover, this method does not destroy the integrity of the rivet. If you want to use the rivet again, you only need to flatten the head of the rivet. However, the disadvantages of this method are also obvious, that is, it is more time-consuming and labor-intensive. If the heads of the rivets are relatively tight or the connected parts are relatively hard, it will be difficult to pry them open. Moreover, during the process of prying off the rivets, the connected parts may be scratched or deformed, so care must be taken to protect them.

Method 3: Cutting Rivets
This is a more efficient method, which is to use a cutter or other similar tool to cut off the head of the rivet, and then use pliers or a hammer to knock out the tail of the rivet. The advantage of this method is that it is relatively fast and does not require a drill or other power tools, just a cutting machine. Moreover, this method does not damage the parts being joined, it only cuts off the heads of the rivets. However, the disadvantage of this method is also obvious, that is, it will destroy the integrity of the rivets. If you want to use the rivets again, you need to buy them again. Moreover, high temperature or sparks may be generated during the cutting of rivets, so safety precautions need to be taken. In addition, when cutting rivets, you should also pay attention to choosing a suitable cutting machine and cutting blade to avoid unclean cutting or excessive cutting.

The above are the three methods for removing rivets that I introduced to you. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. You can choose the method that suits you according to your actual situation and needs. Of course, if you don’t want to do it yourself, you can also find professional maintenance personnel to help you remove the rivets, but this may cost some money and may affect your work progress. Therefore, I suggest that when using rivets, you must check carefully to avoid riveting incorrectly or too much, so as not to cause unnecessary trouble to yourself. Although rivets are a very convenient connecting piece, they are not omnipotent and sometimes need to be disassembled. Our SNUOK Rivet remover gun is recommend for professional rivet remove tool.