Best Blind Rivets for Soft Materials (2026)

A loose panel on an enclosure or a cracked plastic trim piece leaves a fastener that has to hold from the front only, with soft material behind it that a standard rivet can pull through. This guide covers the best blind rivets for soft materials, with tri-fold aluminum rivets compared by diameter, length, grip range, head size and pack count, and the stated specs for each.

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Picks for the garage

#	Product	Shop Score	Buy
1	100pcs Aluminum Trifold Rivets, Black	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	Tri-Fold Pop Rivets 3/16" x 1-1/4"	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Wensilon (250Pcs) 3/16"x1/2" Aluminum blind pro	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	50Pcs Trifold Aluminum Exploding Blind Rivets	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

100pcs Aluminum Trifold Rivets, Black

JIANDAXIN·9.7/10 Shop Score

i

The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

Black tri-fold aluminum rivets, 3/16 in by 3/4 in with a 5/8 in large head, in a 100-piece pack, for soft or plastic materials.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Stated grip range, 1/8 to 5/16 in, with a 13/64 in hole size
• 5/8 in large head spreads the load on soft material
• Tri-fold design folds into 3 legs for a larger support area
• Aluminum alloy will not rust, per the listing

Cons

• No warranty term is stated
• No drill bit is included
• Weight is listed as 0.004375 lb, with no pack weight stated
• No length rule is stated for picking the rivet length

2

Tri-Fold Pop Rivets 3/16" x 1-1/4"

YaaYii·9.6/10 Shop Score

i

The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

Tri-fold aluminum pop rivets, 3/16 in by 1-1/4 in with a steel mandrel and open end, in a 100-count pack with a drill bit.

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Pros

• Longest length here at 1-1/4 in
• Drill bit for 3/16 in holes included
• Tri-fold design for wider backside support and reduced pull-through
• Suits thin sheet metal, plastic, fiberglass and composites

Cons

• No grip range is stated
• No head size is stated
• No warranty term is stated
• Open end leaves the rivet body open at the back

3

Wensilon (250Pcs) 3/16"x1/2" Aluminum blind pro

Wensilon·9.6/10 Shop Score

i

The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

A 250-piece set of 3/16-inch by 1/2-inch aluminum blind rivets with a steel mandrel and a 24-month warranty.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Aluminum body with a steel mandrel
• Corrosion and acid-resistant, per the listing
• Self-plugging open end design, matched to a rivet gun
• 250 pieces with a 24-month warranty

Cons

• One size only, 3/16-inch by 1/2-inch
• No rivet gun included in the set
• No grip range stated beyond the size
• Permanent once set, unlike a threaded rivet nut

4

50Pcs Trifold Aluminum Exploding Blind Rivets

JIANDAXIN·9.5/10 Shop Score

i

The Shop Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs performance (35%), build (25%), value (25%), safety (10%, where it applies) and warranty (5%), using only what the manufacturer and the listing publish. How we pick ›

Black tri-fold aluminum rivets, 3/16 in by 45/64 in with a 5/8 in large head, in a 50-piece pack, for soft or plastic materials.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• 5/8 in large head spreads the load on soft material
• States a length rule: at least 12 mm longer than the thickness
• Tri-fold design folds into 3 legs for a larger support area
• Aluminum alloy will not rust, per the listing

Cons

• 50-piece pack, the smallest pack here
• No grip range is stated
• No hole size is stated
• No warranty term is stated

Compared on paper

Specs such as CFM, PSI and torque are the manufacturer’s ratings as listed, collected 2 November 2026.

How the points were given

The Shop Score weighs performance (diameter, length, grip range and head size), build quality (aluminum body, steel mandrel and head design), value (pack count and what comes in the box) and warranty (years and coverage). No listing states a safety feature or a certification, so safety earns no points on any pick. A factor the listing does not state scores no points.

Shop Scores range from a low of 9.2 to a high of 9.8, with each tool positioned by its weighted points proportionally, and more points always yields a higher score. Safety is scored for corded, cordless and air tools and for listings that state safety features; hand tools without either are scored on 90 points.

What the listings tell you

All 4 picks are 3/16 in diameter with an aluminum body. The JIANDAXIN black listing states a grip range and a hole size, and the YaaYii listing includes a drill bit. The Wensilon listing gives a title only, with no bullets or spec table, so its card rests on the title alone. None of the listings states a warranty term.

Buying guide: the best blind rivets for soft materials

Why tri-fold rivets suit soft materials

A tri-fold rivet folds into 3 legs behind the material, spreading the load over a wider area than a standard pop rivet and cutting pull-through on thin sheet metal, plastic, fiberglass and composites. The YaaYii listing states the same idea: its tri-fold design expands into legs for wider backside support and reduced pull-through. All 4 picks here are tri-fold aluminum rivets with a steel mandrel, so the choice comes down to length, grip range and head size.

Diameter, length and grip range

All 4 picks are 3/16 in diameter, so length and grip range decide the fit. Lengths run 1/2 in on the Wensilon to 1-1/4 in on the YaaYii, with the JIANDAXIN black at 3/4 in and the 50-pack at 45/64 in. Only the JIANDAXIN black listing states a grip range, 1/8 to 5/16 in, with a 13/64 in hole size. The 50-pack listing states a length rule instead: the rivet length must be at least 12 mm longer than the thickness of the object. Match the length to the total material thickness, and drill the hole to the stated size.

Head size and backside support

A large head spreads the load on soft material. The JIANDAXIN black and the 50-pack state a 5/8 in large head, while the YaaYii and Wensilon listings do not state a head size. The tri-fold legs add backside support where the head cannot: the JIANDAXIN black listing notes its 3 legs spread over a larger area, which suits irregular or oversized holes.

Setting tools and removal

A blind rivet sets from the front only, with a hand or pneumatic rivet tool; the YaaYii listing notes common hand or pneumatic tools work. For the tool itself, see the best pneumatic rivet gun in our air tools hub. A rivet that has to come out needs a removal tool; see the best blind rivet removal tool. Drill the hole to the stated size, since an oversized hole weakens the grip.

Blind rivet vs rivet nut

A blind rivet fastens from the front only. A rivet nut leaves a threaded hole for a bolt; see blind rivet vs rivet nut. For panels and trim that stay together, a rivet is the simpler pick; for parts that need a bolt later, a rivet nut fits better.

Garage Fit Check

• Check the hole size before ordering: the JIANDAXIN black listing states a 13/64 in hole, and the YaaYii kit includes a drill bit for 3/16 in holes.
• Match the rivet length to the total material thickness: the 50-pack listing states the length must be at least 12 mm longer than the thickness.
• Keep the rivets sorted by size: 3/16 in diameter across all 4 picks, with lengths from 1/2 in to 1-1/4 in.
• A hand or pneumatic rivet tool sets these rivets; the YaaYii listing notes common hand or pneumatic tools work.
• Store the packs dry: the aluminum alloy listings state the rivets will not rust.

FAQ: garage tools

How do you remove blind rivets?

A blind rivet comes out by drilling the head off and pushing the body through the hole. A dedicated tool makes the job cleaner; see the best blind rivet removal tool.

What is a blind rivet gun?

A blind rivet gun is the tool that sets a blind rivet: it pulls the mandrel through the rivet body from the front only, folding the backside legs and snapping the mandrel off. Hand guns suit small jobs; pneumatic guns suit larger runs. See the best pneumatic rivet gun.

How does a blind rivet work?

A blind rivet fastens from the front only. The tool pulls the steel mandrel through the aluminum body, folding the back into legs that spread the load, and the mandrel snaps off. Tri-fold rivets fold into 3 legs, which suits soft materials.

What size blind rivet do I need?

Match the diameter to the hole and the length to the total material thickness. All 4 picks here are 3/16 in diameter, with lengths from 1/2 in to 1-1/4 in. Only the JIANDAXIN black listing states a grip range, 1/8 to 5/16 in, with a 13/64 in hole size; the 50-pack listing states the length must be at least 12 mm longer than the thickness.

Can blind rivets hold plastic and fiberglass?

Yes, with the right design. Tri-fold rivets spread the load over a wider area, which suits soft materials. The YaaYii listing names thin sheet metal, plastic, fiberglass and composites, and the JIANDAXIN listings name soft materials, rubber, plastic products and fragile products.

Related: the best rivet gun kit, the best rivet gun for beginners, the hand vs pneumatic rivet gun guide, our air tools hub and our electric vs pneumatic rivet gun guide.