Basic Strap Eye Installation with Rivets 

Footman’s loop is what I learned to call strep eye. It’s a cool name too!

For a boat like this standard pop rivets are fine. But for serious use on things like sea kayak hatches, etc. I prefer sealed rivets as they prevent seepage through the mandrel.

Thanks for the Informative video! helped alot more than the videos up near the top.

thank you great simple precise video

Excellent information!

Great video, thanks for sharing. How does one determine where to attach pad eyes to the kayak? What are they best used for? Thanks.

Don't beat down the rivet you"ll loosen it.

In my 25+ years of kayak assembly experience, tapping the mandrill down, if needed, does not loosen the rivet, by any measurable degree. Nor will it incur any leaking if sealed with silicone. Tapping is a far better alternative to drilling the rivet off, or cutting or grinding the mandrill down. (info applicable to kayaks only, not to airplanes)

U don’t have to use bolt cutters to remove the pad eyes drill out the center with a 1/8 drill bit. Takes two seconds and you can reuse the pad eye.

great video. Thank you!

Great advice

Looks like the wrong pad eyes? These are not the flat type for rivets

so if you don't have access to the inside to put a nut on the end you have to have the rivet thing? of is there another way?

Hi Tom. This video has really helped me with a project which I am working on with my new kayak. I do have a question about strap eyes and attachment points. I'm attempting to do something... unorthodox... with storing and transporting my kayak, and was wondering if you've ever seen someone attempt to hang a kayak via strap/pad eyes? If so, about how much load do you think that an evenly-distributed set of 6 pad eyes attached with tri-grip rivets could support? The weight of the whole kayak?

Nice, where can I get a hand drill like that?

Rivets: no need for inside access. Need a special tool. Very strong. Machine Screws (blunt end) and Nuts: must reach inside simple tools needed. Very strong. Self-tap Screws (pointed): no need for inside access. NOT strong. Machine Screws (blunt end) and Well-Nuts: no need for inside access. Not necessarily strong.

Voila

They are called "Jet" rivets, sometimes "cherry" rivets. Send me an email for more info.

Extension cords?????? Who uses power drills anymore with extension cords? LOL