Are there any good nutsert tools?

I've been having an awful time trying to set rivet nuts. The problem is finding a one-hand tool that isn't crap.

I don't set a lot of rivet nuts and never larger than 1/4-20 in aluminum. And very few of those. Mostly I set 5mm and 6mm. I've never broken a mandrel, nor have I worn one out. But the problem I have is finding a tool that will adjust to where I can set a rivet nut without having to reset the tool and do it twice.

I've tried the Harbour Freight models and they are semi-OK, for a while. But they don't hold up.

I bought a Nextack (picture below) and thought I had what I needed. But the adjustment on that is so fussy that when it is ready to set a rivet nut, the nose piece and barrel are so loose that they are in danger of falling off. And that's what happened today. The 5mm nosepiece and barrel disappeared into the bowels of my Tacoma, possibly into a catalytic converter shroud. Once the Nextack barrel is gone, the tool is useless.

So, any ideas for a one-hand rivet nut setter?

The Nextack:

 

Not sure if this helps but we have been using the same “Big Daddy” riveter at work for years

 

Oh, yeah. Those are really good! I used a Big Daddy for 1/4 inch pop rivets before I went to a pneumatic riveter. But they don't seem to have a rivet nut setter, and I have space limitations.

 

Oh really? I was just doing more research and saw it only does blind rivets so I was looking for a nutsert tool made by Marson and it looks like they are available. Not sure though- never had to use rivnuts. Worth a google though



If it’s anything like their BD riveter i bet it’ll last for a long time

 

Marson rivet tools are the best. I'll look into their nut setters.

 

Why use aluminum? Unless spacifically needed steel is way better.

You may be drilling the holes too big but most common practice is too light of crimp setting IMO.

 

That's the one I bought and it works very well. I haven't seen a nutsert tool that isn't fussy. They take practice to get the nutsert installed correctly.

 

I was going to recommend the mil surplus FSI hydraulic setters on ebay, but there must not be much surplus left as they're now 3x or more than what I paid and probably not worth it at this point unless you feel like hunting down a deal. They do still service them so if you get a cheap listing for one that blew its seals, it'll be under $100 to get it rebuilt (they unfortunately don't sell service parts anymore, only rebuild service).

 

This one has been an absolute legend for me

Any that pulled out were 100% my fault.. Probably done just under a hundred

 

I bought knockoff pneumatic rivet tools long before arthritis so I could set 1/4 inch stainless steel pop rivets, and also multiple 3/16 inch pop rivets. I paid waaaay less, but what I bought was in no way super duty.

That one is definitely worth a look. Were it not for the heat, I could walk to my local Harbour Freight. It looks like a variation of the Nextack tool, also. I wonder if the nose parts would replace those I lost.

 

i dunno, i have two riv nut setters, an eastwood double-arm one like the last HF link, and an Amazon single-arm one like you originally started the thread about. both act the same, it's just the way the tool works for me.

 

I actually use the Nextack. The instructions are wrong. They want you to make it fall apart like that. I fiddled with the adjustments my way and did some 8-32 rivnuts good.

 

love using this one.

$159 KIARUO Pneumatic Rivet Nut Gun 8-3210-241/4-20 with Replacement Mandrels, RPM 1500 Industrial Grade Pull Rivnut Gun MODEI:LM08 Button Switch

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6FV688D