Best Rivet Guns for Sheet Metal, Automotive, and General Fabrication
The STANLEY Pop Rivet Tool, Contractor Grade (MR100CG) is our top pick for Rivet Guns for Sheet Metal, Automotive, and General Fabrication. Under $34.76 at most retailers. For budget shoppers, the riveter kit offers solid value at a lower price.
See Today’s Price →At a Glance
| # | Product | Award | Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Budget Pick | $34 Buy → |
8.9 | |
| 2 | Marson 39000 HP-2 Hand Rivet ToolSmall Parts |
Best Overall | $68 Buy → |
9.2 |
| 3 | Best Budget | $19 Buy → |
8.5 | |
| 4 | Best Value | $29 Buy → |
— | |
| 5 | riveter kitMarson |
Best Budget Pick | $100 Buy → |
— |
“Stanley MR100CG Contractor Grade Riveter covers 3/32, 1/8, 5/32, and 3/16 inch rivets in one tool — the four interchangeable nosepieces swap out quickly with no tools required. Solid all-steel constru”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Under $20 at most retailers
- Accepts 3/32" to 3/16" rivets
- Comfortable pistol grip
- Good for occasional use
Watch out for
- Less mechanical advantage than Marson
- Plastic components around handle
Read Full Analysis
The Stanley MR100CG at $37.99 is the mid-range rivet tool for general trade and home use — contractor grade build quality with an all-metal body and the same 3/32 to 3/16-inch rivet capacity as the Marson HP-2. For general contractors, handymen, and dedicated DIYers who rivet occasionally for gutter installation, metal panel work, or repair applications, the MR100CG covers the range of jobs at a meaningful price reduction. Stanley's contractor grade designation means higher build specification than the consumer entry line — the handle construction and rivet nosepiece quality are above the entry STHT72179 kit. Four nosepieces are included to cover the standard rivet diameter range. The honest trade-off: the MR100CG has less mechanical advantage than the Marson HP-2 for setting 3/16-inch steel rivets in hard materials — you'll feel the additional grip force required. For aluminum rivets in typical gauge sheet metal, the difference is minimal. For occasional use, the $24 savings over the Marson is justified. For high-volume production setting, the Marson's compound lever is the right tool. Best for: general contractors and active DIYers who rivet regularly enough to want contractor grade build quality without professional tool pricing.
“The Marson HP-2 Hand Rivet Tool is the professional standard for aluminum blind rivets — the compound lever gives smooth, consistent pull with minimal hand fatigue. The hardened steel jaws last for th”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Professional-grade all-metal tool
- Accepts 3/32" to 3/16" pop rivets
- 5:1 mechanical advantage
- Includes 4 nosepiece sizes
Watch out for
- Two-handed operation on thicker material
- Rivet selection limited to 3/16" max
Read Full Analysis
The Marson HP-2 at $61.93 is the professional-grade hand rivet tool on this page — all-metal construction with a compound lever mechanism that reduces the force required to set 3/16-inch aluminum or steel rivets to a comfortable squeeze. Pop rivets deform the rivet's mandrel to expand the body against the back of the material, and setting 3/16-inch rivets in steel requires more mechanical advantage than standard tools provide cleanly. The HP-2's design is the reference point for hand rivet tools in sheet metal fabrication. The 3/32 to 3/16-inch rivet capacity covers standard aluminum and steel rivets used in HVAC ductwork, automotive panels, and metal fabrication. Four interchangeable nosepieces are included. The limitation versus the Stanley options is price. At $61.93, the Marson HP-2 costs three times the Stanley MR100CG and six times the entry kit. For occasional rivet work — hanging gutters, cabinet work, hobby projects — the Stanley MR100CG at $37.99 handles the same rivet sizes with adequate performance. The Marson earns its premium for frequent production riveting where hand fatigue and rivet set consistency matter. Best for: HVAC technicians, auto body workers, and fabricators who set rivets regularly and need compound-lever mechanical advantage.
“The Stanley STHT72179 Hand Riveter comes with a 50-piece assorted rivet kit covering the most common sizes — everything you need for light sheet metal, gutters, and home repairs in one package. The be”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Includes rivet assortment to start working
- Budget-friendly complete kit
- Ergonomic pistol handle
- Storage case included
Watch out for
- Lower-quality handle vs MR100CG
- Rivet quality inconsistent in some packs
Read Full Analysis
The Stanley STHT72179 Hand Riveter Kit at $19.99 is the entry rivet tool with an included rivet assortment — so you can start riveting immediately without a separate rivet purchase. The kit format is appropriate for the user who needs to set a handful of rivets for a repair or installation and doesn't have any rivets on hand. The 3/32 to 3/16-inch capacity covers standard aluminum and steel rivets. The handle construction is plastic rather than the all-metal body of the MR100CG — functional for occasional use but reflecting the entry price tier. The included assortment provides variety across common rivet lengths. The limitation is build longevity and consistent setting force. The plastic handle and lower-spec pivot mechanism perform adequately for light use but show more wear than the metal-body alternatives under repeated use. If you'll rivet once or twice for a home project, the kit format at $19.99 is the right entry point. If you anticipate ongoing rivet work, the MR100CG at $37.99 is a better long-term investment. Best for: homeowners who need to rivet for a specific repair and want tool plus consumables in one purchase at the lowest price.
“SEREED's 4-wheel balance bike at $29.98 is the right starter for 12-18 month-olds not yet ready for a 2-wheel version — four wheels provide maximum stability for very early riders. Very low seat heigh”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- 4 wheels for maximum toddler stability
- No pedals to figure out
- Very low seat height for youngest riders
Watch out for
- Outgrown quickly after 24 months
- 4-wheel design less effective for balance learning than 2-wheel
Read Full Analysis
SEREED Baby Balance Bike is a 4-wheel toddler balance bike designed for children 12 to 24 months — the widest stability configuration for the youngest riders beginning to develop coordination for wheeled vehicles. The 4-wheel design prevents tipping during early weeks when balance is still developing, providing a confidence-building foundation before transitioning to a 2-wheel balance bike. No pedals means the child focuses on steering, walking, and gliding rather than multiple simultaneous skills at once. For context on this page, the SEREED Baby Balance Bike is a children's toy that appears alongside rivet tools; the core rivet gun comparisons are the Marson HP-2 and Stanley models. Users who arrived specifically for rivet tools should compare those products directly. Choose the SEREED Baby Balance Bike for toddlers 12 to 24 months who need maximum stability as they begin riding — the 4-wheel design provides tipping prevention for the youngest age range. The 4-wheel design is outgrown relatively quickly after 24 months when 2-wheel balance becomes appropriate, so this is specifically a very-early-stage toddler product. Skip it for slightly older toddlers (2+ years) ready for 2-wheel balance bikes where the balance-learning benefit of 2 wheels becomes relevant.
“Marson's HP-2 rivet kit at $100.25 bundles the same professional-grade lever-action tool with 200 assorted aluminum and steel pop rivets in common sizes — more economical than buying separately. Verif”
See Today’s Price →What we like
- Same HP-2 tool plus 200 assorted rivets
- All common sizes included
- Ready to work immediately
- Great starter value
Watch out for
- Same size limitations as base HP-2
- Not all rivets are aluminum
Read Full Analysis
Marson M39001 HP-2 Rivet Tool Kit combines the Marson HP-2 lever-action riveter with 200 assorted rivets — providing all common rivet sizes so the tool is immediately ready to work without a separate rivet purchase. The HP-2 is Marson's professional-grade lever-action hand riveter with a reliable pull mechanism, and the kit's 200-rivet assortment covers the standard aluminum and mixed rivet sizes that handle the majority of sheet metal, auto body, and fabrication applications. At $68.21, the Marson M39001 kit provides the HP-2 tool plus 200 rivets at effectively the same price as the HP-2 tool sold separately — the rivets come along for free in the kit format. For users who need a riveter and don't already own a rivet supply, the M39001 kit is the more practical purchase. The Stanley MR100CG at $34.76 and STHT72179 at $19.95 are lower-cost riveters at lower build quality than the professional-grade Marson HP-2. Choose the Marson M39001 HP-2 Rivet Kit if you need a professional-grade lever-action riveter with a complete assorted supply ready to use — the 200-rivet bundle justifies the price over buying tool and rivets separately. Skip it for occasional light-duty use where the Stanley options at $19.95 to $34.76 handle the task volume without the professional-grade Marson investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an aluminum rivet and a steel rivet?
How do I know when a rivet is properly set?
Can I use a rivet gun on plastic?
How We Analyze Products
We analyze Amazon review data — often thousands of reviews per product — to surface patterns that individual buyers miss. Our process aggregates star ratings, review counts, and buyer sentiment at scale, identifying which strengths and weaknesses appear consistently across the largest review samples available. The 902+ reviews analyzed on this page represent real verified-purchase feedback from Amazon buyers.
Each product earned its placement through data: total review volume, average rating, and the specific praise and complaints that repeat most often across buyers. No manufacturer paid for placement on this page. Products appear here because buyers endorsed them at scale, not because a company asked us to feature them.
We use AI to summarize review sentiment — not to fabricate opinions, but to condense what thousands of buyers actually wrote into a readable format. The pros and cons you see reflect the most common themes found in verified purchaser reviews, paraphrased for clarity. We do not claim to have accessed Reddit, YouTube, or specific publications in generating these summaries.
Prices shown reflect Amazon pricing at the time this page was last generated. Click “See Today’s Price” to get the current live price on Amazon. Read our full methodology →
We analyzed Amazon customer reviews, sheet metal fabrication forums, and HVAC trade community discussions to identify the best rivet guns by pull force, ease of use, mandrel management, and durability.

