Tubular rivets

[MacDimm]

So, while at the supplier today, I got in a conversation about rivets, namely why kwik-rivets suck so much and what other options there are beyond making my own. My leather man then turned me on to tubular rivets.

Here's the thing about them: they are about 40% CHEAPER than kwik rivets, making them significantly cheaper than copper rivets. They are a single piece of metal rather than two that fit together, making them much stronger than kwik-rivets. They are hammered from the underside which is helpful when doing curved pieces. And thus far just coming home and messing around with them, they have saved me about half the time that I would be spending normally mucking around to fit and hammer kwik-rivets. The only cons that I have found to them is that they can't really be set to allow for articulation, so you would still have to use copper rivets or chicago screws for mobile applications.

I suggest these for any upcoming armoursmiths or for people just looking to improve their current kit.

[Stubbie]

Link us YO! Pic, where to buy, etc...

[MacDimm]

www.tandyleatherfactory.com/search/searchresults/1294-27.aspx?feature=Product_5&kw=tubular+rivets

Tandy only has them available online by the thousand. I bought them locally at Landwerlens (THE place for leather supplies for me. Armor grade @ 5.50/lb!) and you can buy them 3.50 for 100. By comparison, Kwik rivets are 6.00 for 100. The catch is you have to buy a peening tool. These are 10 bucks if you buy the lightweight tandy version, or 25 if you buy the heavy dutry heat-treated version (like I did.) For as many rivets as I use though, this will pay for itself in 2-3 projects, not to mention time and frustration.

[Stubbie]

Nifty. Sounds like a good deal.