Why is My Air Pop Rivet Gun Not Working?
Rivmate Fastener
Top Rivet and Rivet Nut Manufacturer in China
Table of Contents
For the question “why is my air pop rivet gun not working”, this guide lists 7 possible reasons in detail, and gives you how to judge and the corresponding solutions. By reading this article, I believe you will be able to solve the problem of your rivet gun not working.
Table of Contents
What are Air Pop Rivet Guns?
A air blind rivet gun is a tool that utilizes compressed air to drive a tool designed for the installation of blind rivets (also known as pull rivets). It installs blind rivets quickly and efficiently and is ideal for high volume work. It is therefore widely used in areas where high strength connections are required, such as automotive manufacturing, aerospace, construction and electronic equipment assembly.
The core parts of the pneumatic pop rivet gun are as follows:
- Air Motor: Converts air pressure into mechanical power.
- Collet (nozzle): to clamp the rivet mandrel, need to be replaced according to the size of the rivet.
- Handle and Trigger: Control the air flow start and stop, adjust the rhythm of operation.
- Regulator: Adjust the air pressure to suit different rivet tension requirements.
7 Common Reasons Why Air Pop Rivet Gun not Working
There are many reasons why air pop rivet guns not working. Here I have listed 7 common reasons and the corresponding solutions.
1. Insufficient Air Pressure
When your pneumatic pop rivet gun does the following:
- There is no response from the rivet gun, no action after pulling the trigger.
- Rivet can not be completely pulled tight, the rivet may be partially deformed but can not be fixed.
- The action of the rivet gun is sluggish, the rivet pulling process becomes slow or weak.
The above situation is probably caused by insufficient air pressure. If the air pressure is too low, the rivet gun will not be able to provide enough pulling force to install the rivets. At this time, you need to check if the air compressor is at 90 – 120 PSI. if the problem does not go away after checking, you can unplug the air hose, turn on the air compressor, and observe if there is enough airflow coming out. Or listen for air leaks at the air hose connections.
Through the above judgment method, it can already be determined that your air pop rivet gun not working because of Insufficient Air Pressure.Then how to solve it? Here are the solutions to this problem:
- Make sure the air compressor pressure is as required and clean or replace the air filter and regulator.
- Check the hoses for air leaks or bends, and replace them immediately if they are damaged.
- Adjust the air compressor output pressure to ensure stable airflow.
2. Worn or Damaged Jaws
If your pneumatic pop rivet gun has Worn or Damaged Jaws, then your rivet gun may not be working properly. Here’s what can happen when this problem occurs:
- Rivet gun fails to clamp rivet mandrel, mandrel remains loose or slips right off when trigger is pulled.
- The rivet cannot be pulled, the gun moves normally but cannot complete the riveting.
- The rivet mandrel slips when pulling the rivet and an abnormal friction sound may be heard.
How did you determine that this problem was occurring?
- Remove the head and observe the jaws for wear, cracks or debris buildup.
- Insert the rivet manually and pull gently. If the mandrel comes off easily, the jaws may be worn.
How to Solve It?
- Replace the jaw assembly with a new one, making sure the dimensions match.
- Clean the inside of the jaws to remove rivet residue.
- Apply a liberal amount of lubricant to the jaws to minimize wear.
3. Dirt or Debris in Internal Components
Dirt or Debris in Internal Components failure to perform:
- Rivet gun action is jerky, there is a delay after pulling the trigger or the rivet is not fully pulled.
- Rivet gun sounds abnormal, may make a “clicking” sound or intermittent airflow sound.
- Rivet does not eject automatically after pulling, requiring manual removal of the remaining rivet mandrel.
Steps to judgment:
- Disassemble the rivet gun and check for metal shavings or dust buildup inside the cylinder, piston, and valve.
- Clean the gun body with high pressure air to see if any impurities are blown out.
How to Solve It?
- Disassemble and clean the inside of the gun body, especially the cylinder, jaws and pneumatic valve section.
- Use air tool lubricant to ensure smooth cylinder operation.
4. Air Leaks in Pneumatic System
Failure performance:
- Rivet gun is weak and fails to pull rivets even though air pressure is normal.
- Continuous air leakage is heard, and the gun body sounds like airflow even when the trigger is not pulled.
- No significant change in airflow after pulling the trigger, but no action in the gun body.
How to determine the occurrence of such malfunctions:
- Apply soapy water to the air tube fitting and gun body interface and observe for air bubbles.
- Check seals (O-Ring) for breakage, dryness or deterioration.
- Apply manual pressure to the gun body and check for air leakage.
How to fix it:
- Replace deteriorated or damaged seals (O-Ring).
- Use a wrench to tighten all air tube connections to prevent air leaks.
- If the gun has a significant air leak, we recommend replacing the gun with a new one or contacting the factory for repair.
5. Trigger or Valve Malfunction
When this type of failure occurs, the pneumatic rivet gun behaves as follows:
- Trigger does not respond, but air compressor and air hose are normal.
- Trigger return is abnormal, either too loose or too tight.
- The rivet gun works intermittently, sometimes it can pull rivets normally, sometimes it fails.
Method of Determination:
- Check the trigger’s rebound for smooth press and release.
- Observe the trigger for signs of looseness or breakage.
Solution:
- Replace the trigger spring or control valve with a new one.
- If the valve is clogged, disassemble and clean the control valve to ensure smooth airflow.
6. Incorrect Nosepiece Size
When the following conditions occur in the pneumatic rivet gun, it means that your pneumatic rivet gun is using the wrong nosepiece.
- The rivet will not pull tight after insertion or remains loose after pulling the rivet.
- Rivet mandrel cannot be gripped properly, mandrel remains wobbly in nosepiece after trigger is pulled.
- Uneven deformation of the rivet head, possibly due to mismatch in nosepiece size resulting in uneven force application.
How to determine when this type of failure is occurring:
- Compare the rivet diameter and the nozzle opening size to make sure the match.
- Observe the condition of the rivet after riveting, if there is any looseness or deformation, it may be a nozzle problem.
Solutions:
- Replace the nosepiece with one that fits the rivet diameter to ensure a proper fit.
- Use the original factory recommended rivet type to avoid problems caused by non-standard rivets.
7. Lack of Lubrication
Error Performance:
- Rivet gun works slowly and responds sluggishly to trigger pulls.
- The piston does not move smoothly and may stall or not return completely.
- Rivet gun noise is abnormal, metal rubbing sound may be heard.
Ways to determine when this type of malfunction occurs:
- Check the lubricant condition, if the inside of the gun is too dry, it may be lacking lubrication.
- Move the piston manually, if there is a lot of resistance, lubrication may be needed.
Corresponding solution:
- Put 2-3 drops of lubricant in the air inlet of the air tool to keep the cylinder operating smoothly.
- Use ISO 32 grade air tool oil and avoid unsuitable lubricants.
- Regular lubrication ensures that the rivet gun is always in optimum condition.
Do You Have Any Questions?
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How to Quickly Diagnose Why Your Air Pop Rivet Gun not Working?
- Check air pressure and air leakage first → Observe if the rivet gun moves.
- Then check the jaws, nosepiece and lubrication → Make sure the components are operating smoothly.
- Finally, test the trigger and internal cleaning → solve the problem of jamming or malfunctioning operation.
Proper maintenance = longer life + higher efficiency!
Guidelines for Proper Maintenance and Care of Air Pop Rivet Guns
Regular maintenance and proper care of your Air Pop Rivet Gun is essential to ensure optimal performance and long service life. The following are detailed maintenance and care procedures:
1. Routine maintenance (check before and after each use)
🔹 Check for proper air pressure (90-120 PSI)
🔹 Check air line connections for tightness
🔹 Apply appropriate amount of air lubricant (ISO 32 grade air tool oil) in drops
🔹 Check if the jaws are normal
🔹 Clean Rivet Debris
2. Periodic maintenance (weekly or monthly maintenance)
🔹 Deep cleaning of the pneumatic system
🔹 Check O-Rings (O-Ring)
🔹 Checking the trigger and pneumatic valve
🔹 Check Nosepiece Size and Condition
| Maintenance Task | Frequency | Action Steps |
| Check air pressure and hose connections | Daily | Ensure 90-120 PSI, check for air leaks in hoses |
| Add pneumatic lubrication oil | Daily | Use ISO 32 air tool oil, 2-3 drops each time |
| Clean jaws and rivet debris | Daily | Use compressed air or a small brush to remove dirt |
| Inspect O-ring seals | Weekly | Check for aging or damage in seals |
| Clean pneumatic system | Monthly | Disassemble the tool, remove dust and metal particles |
| Replace worn jaws or nosepieces | As needed | Replace when jaws are worn or nosepieces are deformed |
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Buy High Quality Air Pop Rivet Guns from Manufacturer
Maintenance and replacement of wearing parts for pneumatic rivet guns is unavoidable. If you don’t troubleshoot and replace them in time, your pneumatic rivet gun may not work. This will have a great impact on your riveting work.
A high quality pneumatic rivet gun is essential for safe riveting. If you would like to purchase a high quality pneumatic rivet gun for your project or business, please contact us!
