How-to Make Jewelry Rivets

Whether you're starting out and unsure about soldering or just looking for a new way to connect pieces of metal, riveting is a great option. This cold connection does not require a torch and is very easy after some practice. Erica will walk you through the steps to make a standard rivet for jewelry and then give you some fun ways to add to it and turn it into a design element on your piece.
For more info on making rivets, visit www.halsteadbead.com/articles...

[@andreasmith300]

Great video helped me sort my problem

[@jeanwilcox3464]

Perfect video!! Thank you!

[@MultiJewelryLady]

I just found your channel and loved the illustrations which really helps at making rivets. Thanks for a great tutorial 👍

[@LDavis87001]

Thanks, Erica! I use an old gift card/credit card to measure the approx 1mm. Just use a hole punch to punch a hole near the corner of the plastic card, then place the hole over the wire, cut flush to get that 1mm. Of course, need to remember to remove the plastic card before hammering, else it becomes a "design element" in the finished piece. HaHa.

[@thekofco]

Merci

[@terp4u2]

Thank you for the video. What no video is explaining is how to not et sharp edges on the rivet. Can you explain how to get the river smooth? I’ve practiced and set over 60 copper in copper and maybe 2 are somewhat smooth tho not all around. Help

[@HalsteadJewelrySupplies]

Hammering in a circular motion around the outside of the rivet helps get the edges down flat to the metal so they are not sharp. It leaves you with a gently domed rivet.

[@terp4u2]

I have not been successful that way either. If you were watching someone rivet to teach, what would you look for them doing?

[@HalsteadJewelrySupplies]

That would be the tip I would give them. You can go over your rivet after with a 3M radial wheel or scotchbrite wheel to soften the edges.

[@terp4u2]

So maybe I don’t understand fully how a rivet is domed. Basically stretching the flat edge of metal rivet out and then ‘pulling’ it downward to form a dome. Then how do you strike a flat surface and pull down edges and still not mar the base ? All my rivets have sharp edges.

[@HalsteadJewelrySupplies]

When riveting, to spread the head you can use a ball peen or cross peen, but if the rivet it small a slightly domed face is all you need. Start at the center of the rivet and work out in a circular motion. When you get towards the edges, slightly angle your hammer so instead of just stretching the metal out, it will also be going downwards. It takes practice and hammer control to not hit the surface. A smaller hammer will also help with this - see my comment about hammers.

[@terp4u2]

So is a brass or steel ball peen hammer better for riveting?

[@HalsteadJewelrySupplies]

Hi, you can use brass or steel, both are fine. You can use a ball peen hammer or a riveting hammer. You want to make sure your hammer is lightweight.