About to begin building my kit far away from my home base and shop. Compressed air is not an option here and the notion of popping all those rivets by hand is not appealing.

There are a number of electric pop rivet drill/guns available but I noted that Zenith modifies the tips on the manual and pneumatic tools they offer.

I did not find a battery operated tool offered by Zenith and wanted to ask the Zenith Builder's group if anyone has successfully modified the tip that comes with the battery operated gun to work as Zenith intended? If yes, which gun and what steps did you take to accomplish the task?

Thanks

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Mike,

         Interesting! I definitely machined a deeper dome. 
That really make me want to get one direct from zenith to make sure that I’ve machined mine to a good shape!

I attempted it twice and an the second attempt, I only just hit the cavity. I’ll post a photo of my “good” nose pieces tonight.

I wonder if mine are too deep?

How did you machine them?

I used a metal lathe and an SE-5 carbide bur (from McMaster-Carr) to machine the nose pieces. Carbide burs are available other places including Amazon, MSCDirect, and Grainger

Regardless where you obtain the bur, be sure you USE A SINGLE-CUT BUR to get a smooth finish.

Machining the nose pieces can be done without a lathe.  If you have the Milwaukee Rivet Tool, I suggest you remove the nose-piece holder from the Rivet Tool, clamp the holder vertically in a drill press vise, ensure the nose piece is snug in the holder, and use the carbide bur in the drill press to machine the nose piece.  It really isn't a difficult process, and it only takes a few minutes.

Zenith sell the nose pieces that fit the Milwaukee, I think it is the same ones that fit the air gun.

Hello David, this Astro blind rivet adapter works well using The Zenith rivet nose tips. Hope this helps.

Attachments:

Some pics.

Attachments:

Zenith rivet nose tip and drill adapter. 

Attachments:

Edward-

After pulling a rivet, do you have to manually reverse the drill to release the mandrel/stem from the jaws?

With the Milwaukee, when you release the trigger, it automatically reverses to release the mandrel/stem.

Mike

Yes Sir, you are correct but it really is not much effort to release the mandrel. It seems to do a good job.

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