Pop Rivets

[dspender]

I purchased the complete RV tool kit from Avery so I could practice some riveting skills before my kit arrives. In the kit they send a Stanley MR77 pop riveter. The spent shaft from the first rivet came our the top relatively easily. The spent shaft from the second rivet could only be removed after I disassembled the shaft of the rivet gun. Same with the third rivet. On all the videos I have watched, no one has struggled as I have. I purchased the rivets from Menards to practice with. The package for this rivet gun from Avery says nothing about aviation. I have minimal experience with a pop rivet gun, however the cheap rivet gun I purchased decades ago works well for the project I am practicing on.
I assume I am doing something wrong, because I cannot believe spending over 2 grand for this tool kit, in which is this Stanley pop riveter, would yield me an inferior tool. What do you suggest?
Paid my 2013 dues. Dennis

[longranger]

I had the same problem with my Stanley puller. I solved it by buying a POP brand puller. This puller has the added advantage of being able to get into tight spaces without grinding down the nose. This was most notable when attaching z-brackets to fuel tanks, and most recently when attaching the thick reinforcement plate to the inboard end of the flap spar and inboard rib. The only reason I haven't thrown my Stanley puller away is that it's hard for me throw anything away...

[Ron B.]

On my NAPA puller I tip the gun over and squeeze and release the handle and it falls out. Might have to clunk it against something once and a while.

[dspender]

I think I could drop a three pound sledge hammer on it, while tipped upside down, and the rivet shank would not come out. I have to dismantle the gun each time.

[WenEng]

Any bend while pulling it would cause a hang up. When you disassemble, is the spent nail straight? Check the two cone halves for a spur on either inside. Give them a little scotch bright rub, squirt a little lube on it and then try to loosen the screw in the back a turn. Mine usually hang up if its a cherry rivet and I use a nail guide that's too close to exact size. Change out the round guide to the next larger one. One or more of those may do it.

[dspender]

What does the screw that I can tighten or loosen do?

[ppilotmike]

I bought a pneumatic one from Harbor Freight. Works great and now I only use the hand-squeeze one in very tight spots. Heck, they were so cheap, I bought a couple of them for my fellow builder friends as gifts. They love them too, and hardly use their hand-actuated pop riveters anymore. My $0.02.

[bird]

The screw on top of the head tightens or loosens the jaws, should be able to adjust so that it releases t he spent shaft. I have a Stanley and used it for my complete build, it works fine and I like the swivel head too.

Bird

[CharlieWaffles]

I have that happen a lot. If I use the die in the pop rivet that is too close to the size of the rivet stem it gets stuck. So I tend to use the next size up and that prevents them from getting stuck.

[E. D. Eliot]

To someone at Avery - they won't be happy until you are happy - good people. Give them a call and see what they say.