How to Set Copper Rivets By Hand 

For best strength, cut the rivet one diameter above the burr surface. (aviation riveting standard).

Your videos are like getting an IV drip of "Instant Experience". Thank you - you save me hours upon hours of trial and error. I appreciate the time it takes you to make and post the content on your channel. Great work!

I'm about to set my first copper rivets on one of my projects and I'm a lot more confident now after watching this. So, thanks for that. 🤝

I've been a leather maker for a bit, far cry from a pro like you guys. Every time you do a video I learn something new, and now with the narrative video I learn even more. Thank you. Please keep them coming.

These videos are so priceless. I really appreciate the time and attention to sharing your craft and deep experiences! And the vocal narrations are a real treat! I also find the variation on how to do things, and the logic behind them, and the variety of approach to be fascinating - these videos become more than just a "how-to", they become a "why-to" with options! Keep up the great work!

Great video, thank you. That last example looks fantastic. I use rivets in blacksmithing and wasn’t sure if that’s how I was supposed to do it for leather too. Turns out Yes! 👍 Thanks again!

Many thanks for the great demo! I'm currently renovating a P13 Bayonet, scabbard and leather frog (104 yrs old now!) The frog was so dried out and stiff that I couldn't get the scabbard out to de-rust the metal parts (despite multiple applications of leather reviver). Had to drill out two of the copper rivets to release the lower loop in the end so now I've got to re-rivet it back together once the scabbard is cleaned up. This demo will help no end - I was going to use the existing washers with new rivets but the first washer pinged off to God knows where - just waiting for the pack of new washers to arrive now!

Awesome guide to copper rivets, I got some recently and it took me a few rivets to get the hang of it. Now I have more information to add to my arsenal. Thanks.

Well explained, thank you, Sir!

learning new things in quarantine

Great video! I also use them in woodworking attaching 2 thin slats together to make calipers, armatures, etc. The trick is to only use hardwood (so it won't split) and use a shim made from aluminum flashing between the slats to keep the joint from getting too tight - drill a hole in the shim the size of the rivet and cut a slot to it so you can pull the shim out after riveting the slats together, this will give you a joint that will move, you can tighten it to just the right tension by tapping the rivet with a ball-peen hammer.

love copper rivets, they look so good and strong bond

Excellent! Thanks I was taught to order 1 size copper. That way, you spend only a slight bit more, but have 1 post that can do any application, since you cut off the excess anyway. Worked out great. Ordered 1000 5/8 posts and get years out of the lot.

This was a really nice demonstration. Thank you, very useful!

Learning a new technique. Thank you for sharing.

Super handy! I appreciated the variations, from simple to strongest-smoothest-styled. I also find the imperfect attempts instructive too, like "this one is a bit too long...so it's leaning over..."

Another excellent and clear demo.

Awesome video I’ve been inspired by people like you to make some leather working videos

Learning with every video. Love hearing your voice!!

Inexperienced leather worker here... excellent tutorial... thanks so much.

Learned something watching this, Great JOB...Nice production. Thank you!

You do such a good job of explaining in a simple way😊

Great instruction! I bought some of these rivets but wasn't sure how to use them. Now it's time to play...

Exactly the video I needed. Thank you!

This was very helpful. I sorta messed up my first copper rivet attempt. Now I know what I did wrong and can try again! Thank you!

Useful tips as always - the last one was completely new to me and looks fantastic - thanks! :)

This was awesome thanks very clear

Great info! Thanks much!

Great lesson, thanks!

Always learn something from your videos.

Got some rivets today - first time trying them out!

Love your stuff.

Great video. Very helpful. Thank you.

Wonderful demo! I'll add one point regarding the burr: these are stamped from sheet copper, and often have a sharp side and a domed side. If you feel the outside edge of each side or look closely you'll see it. I usually apply the burr with the sharp side against the leather because it provides a smoother feel. Same goes for just about any other metal washer.

Great video it will help me out a lot

Thanks for the video...

Thanx for the video. Has been awhile!

Informative video - Question ? --- Is that a piece of Corian you are using when you use the Hole Punch?? Does Corian NOT DULL the punches ???

good job showing how it's done. I remember using these rivets to repair binder canvases on the farm in the 50's and 60's . The short ones were for joining two pieces of canvas or securing a strap to a canvass and the 1 inch ones were used to secure the wooden slats. sometimes these repairs were done in the field using a wrench for a hammer. I remember the outcry when a 1 pound box of mixed length rivets went to $5. I'd hate to guess what they are today.

Awesome! Thank You

the 2nd pinning is very nice...

nice work, sets are great two part tools. just done some for a pirates chest that I didnt have a set for.

Good video, *Thank you!* I have some of those rivets and was not sure how to do it correctly. (I thought the the rivets were too long. Live & learn.) :)

Awesome video

Add a washer before you cut the ribbon and cut it on two sides so that your burp is even and then when you chop down on the rivet it will be the same length for each one

Super,thank you

Muy buenos remaches, la verdad que ese modelo nunca lo e husado 👍👍👍

Nice video. Thanks.

Bravo magnifique tuto. Merci

I love using rivet to my leather works...and i prefer brass rivet more..gud video..i like it

Thanks for sharing video.. 👍

Good video👍,I like the attention to detail.

Very nice thanks

Thank you...this is what i call Craftsmenship

I always watch your videos

I am a Stohlman taught leather smith started late 70’s ...Al teaches to rotate the domer while hammering..rounding it off better..

Thank you.

This was great! One question I'm looking to answer is what length does one leave when clipping for a given diameter? I've run into one forum post stating one should leave an amount equal to the diameter. I think yours was a bit shy of that? Curious what you would advise. Thanks!

I like the leather washer idea. It looks good and seems to keep the washer from dishing as badly.

Thought I knew this... Turns out I didn't. Awesome stuff!

What snips are you using to clip off the river? We have 10” ones from vise grip but it is very difficult to snip?!

Hey there! Quick question: I've recently bought some chrome tanned BMW leather but for wallets and stuff like this this isnt really suited (I knew that before but I had multiple reasons to get this anyway ;D) So now I want to buy some veg tan leather but I like slim wallets/cases etc. . But I also like they way you can burnish veg tan leather... Do you think you can burnish 1.0 - 1.3mm (2.5 - 3 oz) thick leather well? Would appreciate your help alot! ;D

loved the old videos, but omg I love these new ones too! Keep it up! I'm totally going to try some of these out.

Hey man, awesome video. I have a question...can you set thise rivets without using a rivet setter? I mean is it possible to do it without the tool?

Can this be used to set snaps as well? Thank you!

Good video

Hi quick question. What hardware do you match with copper rivets. I have some beautiful leathers that will work so nice but what color hardware I struggle with.

Thanks for the video. Where is your nice rivet setter from?

perfect i have suscribed :) :)

i can't believe you're doing all that hammering on a piece of stone. would never have thought that would end well. thanks

The top side of the rivet can also be domed (Makes a big difference) using a rapid rivet setter...Check out Al Stohlman’s Book of tools...How to use and sharpen them...

Hi. I've been looking for the best type of rivet to attach a shotgun cartridge cap to leather. So far I've been taking out the precussion cap and putting a cap rivet in through the middle but I've seen some where they have been attached and still somehow have the original precussion caps. How could I rivet them and not have something sticking all he way through the hole in order to be able to put the cap back in?

Found out the hard way that the surface you set rivets on and the hammer you use can determine if you ruin your project or get it right

Blacksmith's tip - If you want a nice even dome, Cut the rivet 1 1/2 times the thickness of the rivet above the washer.

I love the video but don't recall ever seeing a video where you made something using rivets.

Thanks for making this simple and clear video. I'm here because my wife's purse has a broken strap.

Same procedure when placing a rivet in stainless (except for the hole punch)?

I love that peening hammer you use in all of your videos. Who makes it? It looks antique, where did you find it?

Can you do this with the hollow/ tubular rivets

You have the most beautiful hands.

Now with the BUR .. do you want the rounded side down, or the sharp edge side down ?

What type of surface do I need to use while banging away? Are you using a granite board?

Could you please turn the audio up by 30 - 40%? Thank you for the content!

Greetings as you call this piece that you hit the rivet I looked on the site but I didn't find

Nice video! A couple tips: Never set your burr as deep as your third rivet- it damages the top grain all the way to the corium and will actually fail sooner. When peening the rivet use a peening or domed hammer not a flat faced hammer, peen in a circle around the head of the rivet (not the burr) and keep the faces of riveting hammers smooth and highly polished for the best finish

Are there any tricks to doming a long rivet through many layers of thick leather? They seem to want to bend. For example, 4 layers of 6-7oz leather plus a leather washer.

Отличное видео, я такие заклёпки специальным молотком с закруглённым бойком забиваю, и не нужно специальный инструмент использовать.

Can you use these rivets to attach a thin piece of copper to a leather glove? Or would that not work?

What the name of this on amazon ?! I never find it in the internet

Are there any other way to set this rivet without the tool? I've ordered the tool and it's still on route, need to set the rivets right now :(

Very helpful, thank you! I‘ve never used these types of rivets...just the horribly expensive ones, from the sewing store. But the cost adds up so quickly, maybe it’s time, to put that money into setting tools, instead.

what tool did you cut the rivet with?

So when would you use this?

Thank you👍👍👍

But maybe on the Thicker projects it can handle the sharp edge of the bur... and the sharp bur might add holding strength

in the aircraft industrie height for the cut of lenght is the thickness of the rivet try it👍👍🤣the set and rivets and burs look very nice what about shipment to europe

Hi, I've just tried this. I'm using smaller rivets and i only have a plastic chopping board. The doming isnt working at all, it stays sharp. Is it a crap tool or am i doing something wrong?

question: I have had the burr popping off again (especially after shortening the rivet) when trying to rivet 2 layers of thick leather - like you are showing in the video. That made fixing the rivet/hammering it down almost impossible. The rivets were long enough, no problem, but I just couldn't get the burrs to stick down. What to do?

I've used those, but unless I need the extra strength I use solid brass Jiffy rivets, I just think they look more consistent and not so rustic. Just a preference, I use this type on say an axe cover, they seem to fit there, but on a bag most folks prefer the Jiffy rivets. They come double dome or flat on one side and dome the other and I never use plated steel hardware on anything I make. I don't like customers coming back with rusty snaps or rivets. If it doesn't say solid brass it is plated steel.

I can't help wondering . I like rivet work on leather binding. But what if, I want you to imagine. Defferent sets of premade deco designs Which can wrap around two pieces Of leather before any kind of riveting? 1. It would cover the edges very beautiful . Deco design covering both sides to where rivets are set? I want you to imagine and put it tougher. And test run it. I thought I share this idea with you. Good luck.