On Wed, 15 Mar 2006 20:01:35 GMT, Lobster
wrote:

Thanks for that advice Andy: now, as a total rivetting numpty, is it
obvious whether a rivet gun has a 3 or 2 jaw design?

No. Look up the snout and count them, but you have to look close. I
think "Beargrip" are the commonplace brand with the good grips.

Most cheap ( £20) hand riveters have nose bushes for 3,4,5 & 6mm
rivets. You have the hand strength to pull a 6mm aluminium rivet with a
simple short-handle riveter, but the cheap 2 jaw tools can't get a good
enough grip on it. A 3 jaw one can. Bigger riveters, such as long
handle or lazy-tong riveters generally have jaws adequate for the task.