Blind Rivet vs Rivet Nut: Which One Should You Buy?
Blind rivets and rivet nuts compared on permanence, threads, materials and tools, with three examples from the listings reviewed.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- 1
Wensilon9.7/10View on Amazon - 2
Astro Pneumatic Tool PRN1 3/8" Capacity Pneumatic Rivet Nut9.7/10View on Amazon - 3
Dual-Function Rivet Nut Tool Rivet Gun Kit Including 405 pcs9.4/10View on Amazon - 4
WensilonView on Amazon - 5
100 PCs 5/32'' x 1/2''Aluminum Blind RivetsView on Amazon - 6
ISPINNER 100pcs 1/8" x 1/4" Aluminum Blind RivetsView on Amazon
Verdict: Choose a blind rivet if you want a permanent joint in metal plate and pipe, set with a rivet gun. Choose a rivet nut if you want a threaded connection that accepts screws and bolts and can be undone later.
A bracket on a car body, a panel on a trailer and a sheet metal box all need a fastener that holds where only the front is reachable. The blind rivet vs rivet nut question comes down to permanence and threads: a blind rivet sets permanently with a rivet gun, while a rivet nut leaves a threaded hole for a screw or bolt. This comparison covers both types, then examples from the listings reviewed.
GarageToolHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.
Wensilon (250Pcs) 3/16"x1/2" stainless steel blind
A 250-piece set of 3/16-inch by 1/2-inch stainless steel blind rivets with a stainless steel mandrel and a 24-month warranty.
Pros
- Stainless steel body with a stainless 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
Wensilon (250Pcs) 3/16"x1/2" Aluminum blind pro
A 250-piece set of 3/16-inch by 1/2-inch aluminum blind rivets with a steel mandrel and a 24-month warranty.
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
ASKWAY Pressure Rivet Nut Tool Kit
A manual rivet nut tool kit with 430 carbon steel rivet nuts in M3, M4, M5, M6 and M8 sizes, in a labeled storage box.
Pros
- Tool plus 430 rivet nuts in five metric sizes
- Knurled flat head thread design to prevent slipping
- Galvanized carbon steel nuts for long-term storage
- Labeled transparent storage box included
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- Manual tool only, no pneumatic option stated
- Largest size in the kit is M8
- Threaded connection still needs a matching screw or bolt
Other tools worth a look
WensilonCheck price on Amazon
100 PCs 5/32'' x 1/2''Aluminum Blind RivetsCheck price on Amazon
ISPINNER 100pcs 1/8" x 1/4" Aluminum Blind RivetsCheck price on Amazon
Side by side: blind rivet vs rivet nut
| Aluminum blind rivet | Stainless blind rivet | Rivet nut kit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Blind rivet | Blind rivet | Rivet nut kit |
| Material | Aluminum, steel mandrel | Stainless steel, stainless steel mandrel | Carbon steel, galvanized |
| Size | 3/16-inch by 1/2-inch | 3/16-inch by 1/2-inch | M3, M4, M5, M6, M8 |
| Count | 250 pieces | 250 pieces | 430 pieces |
| Tool included | Not stated | Not stated | Manual rivet nut tool |
| Removable | No, permanent once set | No, permanent once set | Yes, threaded for screws and bolts |
| Warranty | 24-month warranty | 24-month warranty | Not stated |
| Weight | Not stated | Not stated | 4.2 pounds |
Example figures are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 30 October 2026.
How each fastener works
A blind rivet is a fastener with a hollow body and a mandrel that a rivet gun pulls until the rivet sets and the mandrel snaps. The Wensilon examples use a self-plugging open end design matched to a rivet gun, and they join metal plate and pipe. Once set, the joint stays put: there is no thread to undo, so removal means drilling the rivet out. A rivet nut works the other way. The AskWay tool sets a threaded insert in a hole, and the insert stays in the sheet while screws and bolts thread in and out of it. The knurled flat head thread design resists slipping, so the insert holds its place while a bolt is tightened into it.
Material and size
The two blind rivet examples share one size, 3/16-inch by 1/2-inch, and differ only in material. The aluminum example pairs an aluminum body with a steel mandrel, while the stainless example uses stainless steel with a stainless steel mandrel. Both listings state corrosion and acid resistance and indoor and outdoor use. The rivet nut example covers a wider range of threads in one kit: M3, M4, M5, M6 and M8, with 160 M3, 110 M4, 70 M5, 70 M6 and 20 M8 pieces. That spread suits a shop that threads different bolt sizes into sheet metal, while the blind rivet examples suit a shop that repeats one joint size.
Tools and what is in the box
The blind rivet listings describe rivets matched to a rivet gun but state no gun in the set, so the gun is a separate purchase for a shop that does not already own one. The AskWay kit includes its own manual pressure rivet nut tool, so it is ready to use from the box apart from the screws and bolts that thread into the inserts. The kit weighs 4.2 pounds and packs into a transparent storage box with clear labels. The blind rivet sets hold 250 pieces each with a 24-month warranty, while the rivet nut kit holds 430 pieces and states no warranty term.
Choose a blind rivet if
- You want a permanent joint in metal plate and pipe
- You already own a rivet gun
- You repeat one joint size, 3/16-inch by 1/2-inch
- You want a 24-month warranty on the fasteners
Choose a rivet nut if
- You want a threaded hole for screws and bolts
- You want the joint to come apart later
- You need several metric thread sizes in one kit
- You want the setting tool included in the box
Example fasteners
For more choices, see the best pneumatic rivet gun, and to compare setting tools, the pneumatic rivet gun vs rivet nut gun.
Wear eye protection with every air tool, use impact-rated sockets on impact wrenches, disconnect the air line before changing accessories, and finish lug nuts with a torque wrench to the vehicle's spec. See OSHA eye and face protection. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
FAQ: garage tools
What is a blind rivet?
A blind rivet is a fastener set from one side with a rivet gun. The Wensilon examples use a self-plugging open end design, and the joint stays permanent once set.
What is a rivet nut?
A rivet nut is a threaded insert set into a hole in sheet metal. Screws and bolts then thread into it, so the joint can be undone and redone.
How many fasteners come in each set?
The Wensilon blind rivet sets hold 250 pieces each, and the AskWay rivet nut kit holds 430 pieces across M3, M4, M5, M6 and M8 sizes.
Can a blind rivet be removed like a bolt?
No. A blind rivet stays permanent once set, while a rivet nut leaves a threaded hole that accepts screws and bolts.
Do the rivet sets include a tool?
The Wensilon listings describe rivets matched to a rivet gun but state no tool in the set, while the AskWay kit includes a manual rivet nut tool.
Related: the best pneumatic rivet gun, the pneumatic rivet gun vs rivet nut gun, the best rivet gun kit and our air tools hub.
