Milwaukee has come out with a new M12 rivet tool, model 2550. While far from being the first cordless pop rivet tool, Milwaukee says that theirs is the first cordless rivet tool designed for the professional trades, and that it simplifies the overall riveting process.
Milwaukee says that their M12 rivet tool is an industry first, for using a scotch yoke mechanism instead of a ball and screw mechanism featured in other rivet tools. They say that this allows for the tool to deliver a lot of force in a more compact and shorter package.
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They provided a handy chart that shows off more of the M12 rivet tool’s advantages:
The M12 rivet tool can pop over 250 stainless steel 3/16″ rivets per battery charge. It can handle rivets 3/32″ – 3/16″ in size, and comes with 4 nose pieces.
Features & Specs
- 2,000 pounds of pull force
- 0.8″ stroke length
- 3/32″, 1/8″, 5/32″, 3/16″ nose pieces
- On-board tool for nose piece removal
- 6.5″ length without mandrel collector, 9″ with it
- Removable mandrel collector
- Weighs 4.54 lbs with battery pack
- Battery fuel gauge
- LED work light
Milwaukee says that the new rivet tool can pop rivets up to 2X faster than hand tools, and requires 65 percent less muscle effort. Here (PDF) is a summary report discussing ergonomics testing Milwaukee conducted for the new cordless rivet tool.
Here’s an application image, to get a sense of the tool’s size.
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Another product photo shows the rivet tool being used in an automotive application.
Price: $169 for the bare tool (2550-20), $299 for the kit (2550-22)
ETA: April 2018
The kit will come with (2) M12 battery packs, a charger, belt hook, contractor bag, and the 3 nose pieces.
Buy Now(Kit via Tool Nut)
Buy Now(Bare Tool via Tool Nut)
First Thoughts
$169 for the bare tool? That’s significantly less expensive than other cordless tools on the market. I’d never considered air tools because I don’t work in a production environment and end up in settings where there’s no access to an air line.
Using a hand tool to pop 1/8″ aluminum rivets is one thing. But 3/16″ stainless steel rivets? My pop rivet tools would likely requite a few grunts and groans. They make heavier duty hand rivet tools that require less effort, but they’re large – too large for many types of applications.
I have a project in the works that this might be perfect for. 1/8″ rivets are too small, and I didn’t think stepping up to larger sizes would be easy on my hands, given how many fasteners or rivets it will require. I tend to love using button head and socket cap screws, but there would be too many holes to thread. Self-threading sheet metal screws? Maybe. Machine screws with nuts? That was the current plan, but I think that the M12 tool could quicker work, and with easier effort, not to mention lower fastener costs.
I won’t throw away my rivet tools anytime soon. While this one is pretty compact, especially compared to other products currently on the market, there might be times when the smaller size of a hand tool could be advantageous.
Overall, the Milwaukee M12 cordless rivet tool looks to be a very welcome surprise to their compact tool lineup.
Their new M12 stapler was one of my favorite new tools from their NPS17 media event. It was a nice example of what Milwaukee has been working towards – M18 tools that provide corded tool performance, and M12 tools that take the place of hand tools, for quicker or easier work. Some tools are outside of this, with some M12 tools being lighter and more compact cordless power tools compared to M18 versions, such as their rotary hammer and band saw.
I never would have guessed that Milwaukee would come out with a compact cordless rivet tool.
While I use my pop rivet tools regularly – an Arrow pivoting-head tool (~$26 at Amazon), and a Stanley Pro – it’s mainly for custom fabrications or repairs. I didn’t think this was a construction or professional trade type of tool.
Where have you used pop rivets before? Would you buy a tool like this?
pete
I saw this on their facebook page. Super cool. I really DONT need it but if a project came up that has more than 10 rivets lol….. i might. The last project was building 3 margarita carts that had somewhere around 60 rivets and piece, this would have made that MUCH easier and faster.
Nathan
I’ve used air pop rivet pullers when I’ve needed to do many for one build. and that was some computer cases.
I’ve not used SS pop rivets but I can see where those would be tough. Hand tool wise I have some brand device sitting in my garage probably an Arrow. I’d consider something like this if I used them alot. But I don’t as I don’t like pop rivets for much of anything.
Never used one on a car before – I don’t like pop rivets and avoid them when I can.
pete
For stainless i use the large ones that look like bolt cutters, even then they aren’t “easy”
Eric
I had to do ~250 3/16″ stainless rivets about 2 years ago and ended up wearing out 2 of the big bolt cutter style ones. They were cheap ones from the big box store and they just couldn’t stand up to the abuse. My arms weren’t happy about the situation either. The first 50 or so weren’t bad, but it would get progressively harder after that. They just couldn’t handle that much pressure and things would slowly get bent out of shape.
Joel
Wonder if they’ll offer an M18 that can handle 1/4 and even structural rivets or hucks.
Gene
I have done the SS rivets lately and if Dewalt had one, I would buy it.
Muhammad Abdou
http://www.stanleyengineeredfastening.com/brands/pop/riveting-systems/power-tools/pb2500
Albeit alot more expensive then this one
firefly
I look to see if they have a cordless gun that work on rivetnut but I got lost in the website. Anyway I stopped looking once I found out how much the one that you mentioned cost.
Muhammad Abdou
True, i ordered one a few days before i saw this post anyway.hopefully the expensive price is justified haha
Jim Felt
I’ve used aluminum, steel but mostly stainless steel pop rivets. The SS ones for coastal use and work that shows.
The order of effort is magnified significantly with SS. Which I just tend to use because it’s strong and looks great forever.
And now that I’ve invested in a bunch of “not available from Bosch” M12/18 tools this might be next. Interesting way for Milwaukee to undermine their competition’s loyal users. Not.
fred
I think this is a welcome addition to the M12 lineup for folks who do more than the occasional pop rivet job. I’m not sure it would replace the Avdel gun we had in the shop – but the field guys who already are using M12 stuff – would likely want one.
I have an old Craftsman Commercial Hydraulic rivet gun (9-7477) at home that’s my go to tools for SS pop rivets.
I see one listing for one on eBay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Craftsman-Commercial-Hydraulic-Rivet-Tool-9-7477-/222387535962/?_ul=GT
It may have been discontinued because of injuries or litigation. When the handles are pumped the nosepiece smoothly moves along with attached piston rods exposing an opening between the gun body and nose assembly. When the hydraulic release lever is pressed the nosepiece assembly collapses back into its resting place. Anything caught (like a finger) between the nosepiece and the gun, when the nosepiece is returning home – will be crushed. The tool came with warnings about this danger and potentially severe consequences. I think that I bought mine in 1994 – and have used it without incident.
firefly
Upon a quick google on the name Advel, having not heard of the brand before, I found some pretty interesting rivet call NeoSpeed. They utilize a line feed system with a reusable mandrel. So it’s fast, efficient and nothing left to waste. Pretty neat!
fred
I would expect that the real rivet jockey’s are the folks who build aircraft, motor homes and the like – but it not all blind fasteners (like regular pop rivets or Cherry rivets) for them.
BTW – Avdel is an Stanley company – as is USM and Emhart – more common Pop Rivet brands
http://avdelusallc.com/
firefly
I would expected as much as well. I wonder what industry Advel used to serve. They must be pretty serious about rivet to put all that time and money into rivet R&D.
It look like Avdel website also have a note to be moved under http://www.stanleyengineeredfastening.com/ they look to have a lot of cool stuff but so many brand, so many products… a guy like me is lost in there.
Totally unrelated but I found this video while searching for some rivet stuff https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XikdtoOf_XI now that’s some interesting riveting!
fred
I’m sure that Avdel’s big customers were aerospace, RV, boat and Trailer manufacturers, and similar folks who do a lot of sheet metal fabrication.
We had some big contracts in our pipe and metal fabrication shop to do custom metal cubicles, and railings where blind fasteners were useful.
Joe
One of those ,ya I should have that,kind of tools…..I’m in….
Jalopy_J
May have to pick this up. I have the Huck AK-175 riveter, which is a dream to use, but if this M12 unit has good power, it would be nice to unhose. I could also just leave the Huck set up for threaded inserts and use the M12 for rivets, instead of having to switch the Huck back and forth as needed.
MtnRanch
Just guessing that Stuart meant “scotch yoke mechanism”. That thing with the yolk might get messy. Scotch eggs can be good though.
If it says ‘cordless’ in the name, I want it.
Whiskey and Wood
Do Scottish eggs have a tartan on them?
Stuart
Ha!
I don’t know if that was a typo or Freudian slip – I held off breakfast to work on the post.
firefly
I hope they come out with one for Rivnut as well.
KENT hanson
I’ll get one for sure. I’ve done ssr roofing that uses lots of stainless rivets for gutter straps and I’ve also put together banks of lockers which uses 14 rivets per locker and not having to mess around with cords will be great. I had to use a hand tool last week to do some lockers becaus it wasn’t enough to drag a compressor to site so I used a clamp to squeeze the hand tool because I didn’t want to ruin my hands for the rest of the day.
The yeti
Will be getting one of these for little brother . What a sweet little tool.
D
Great tool, something I need. This with the soldering iron, caulking gun, and stapler are making M12 very appealing.
Why so heavy? It’s nearly 5 pounds, and it’s a 12V tool! Milwaukee tools are consistently heavy.
Nate
I will own one of these as soon as they’re released! Putting the number tags on hundreds of lockers with a manual rivet gun will wear…..you…..out!
Andrew
Would be very interested if it could handle 1/4” SS rivets with ease…
Stuart
Its max nose piece size is 3/16″, and so that’s not even something one could try.
satch
I don’t really use pop rivets per se but we do use the inserts that install like pop rivets but leave you with a female machine thread. Typically these are used to repair damaged threads in control panel doors or other devises where two panels fasten together. Very handy, these.
They install with a tool that looks like a pop rivet gun but have threaded mandrels for each size. Our kit has 6-32, 8-32, 10-32, 10-24, & 1/4-20. Of course you don’t pull til something pops but a battery operated tool would make this a breeze.
fred
Riv-Nuts come in sizes up to 1/2-13 and M12-1.75
Setting tools can be pricey – even for the manual ones:
https://www.amazon.com/AA181-813-AVK-MANUAL-INSERT-TOOL/dp/B00IK341LI
satch
Hey Fred, neat tool you linked to there.
The one we have at work looks much like a manual pop rivet gun(stapler style?) With a large knurled knob on the top and female threads on the bottom of around 1/4-20. Each of the mandrels is double ended with the 1/4-20 on one end and the corresponding machine threads you need on the other. It works really but can be fiddly if you tighten the mandrel into the insert to far. It will not allow you enough travel to fully compress the rivet nut. It is a super handy repair item.
Hang Fire
My question is, how hard is it on the hands? Some tools really give you quite a shock. Once the reviews come out, Milwaukee might have quite a good seller if it’s easy on the hands.
firefly
Just a guess but I think something like this probably have a worm gear in there that push and pull the shaft by turning. So it probably rather smooth and perhaps slower than the pneumatic or hydraulic counterpart.
Doresoom
It’s super smooth while pulling rivets. The only shock is the extremely small amount from the mandrel popping off the rivet, and that’s unavoidable by nature of the fastener.
fred
I see that ToolNut has it listed – allowing you to pre-order one
Jeremiah
They released the m12 inflator now. Saw it on toolnut. 69 bare tool. 79 with2.0a. Bet it will sell like hotcakes. Pre-order for April 22
Skyler Walker
I own the M12 inflator. I love it! Use it all the time for my vehicle tires…since I can’t seem to buy new tires I always have to inflate them. Has good power battery lasts a while and its quick. Doesn’t shake while on and isn’t to loud
Tim
This will go down as one of the single greatest things to ever happen to mankind.
Brad
This tool is very exciting to me. I work at a gutter company and everyone here uses a hand held pop rivet gun everyday. We also use M12 and M18 Milwaukee products. This will be a welcome relief to our hands!
alex
can definitely see the value in it, was doing copper nickel rivet’s (pretty high tensile) the other day with a regular hand tool and it’s not fun trying to get enough leverage to pull them up without smashing your finger’s,the tong and cantilever tool’s are better but nowhere near as compact.so i can definitely see the value in this
Bill
Stuart, there are a number of “Hand Rivet Nut Tools” , for installing blind nuts, available on the market and these appeal to me for some current and future projects. Have you used any of them and do you have any recommendations for a quality brand?