Pneumatic - Hydraulic < - > Duh!

[Dallas]

A short time ago  bought an air riveter from Harbor Freight. Model #94669, handles rivets up to 1/4" steel rivets and usually did a good job for the first 100 rivets or so.

I used it as the instructions indicated, although on the box it was listed as a "Pneumatic-Hydraulic" Riveter, I assumed it was a misnomer caused by the friendly people in China where the tool was manufactured.
The instructions say to add a few drops of oil before every use, which also led me to believe that the oil was like that in any other air tool, there to lubricate the innards.

WRONG!

After pulling about 100 rivets, the pull got less and less, and the rivets were getting stuck in the riveter jaws.

I took the thing apart following the diagrams and schematics in the instructions, (almost worthless). I cleaned all the parts, looked at O-rings and seals, replaced any that looked to be in poor or questionable shape and put it all back together. Much to my chagrin, it then didn't work at all. SO I thought to myself... "Self ya screwed up... as per normal" I took it apart again, looked at stuff, put it back together... still no workey! And yet again.. same result.
then I noticed that on the right side, right behind the puller head was a large headed screw with an O-ring under it. I took this out, trying to figure out it's purpose. It isn't listed in the parts list or in the schematic drawing.
Thinking that it was an air purge of some sort, I put a few drops of oil in, and they completely disappeared. I added a few more, and those too went away. After dribbling in about 8 tablespoons of air tool oil, none was coming out from anyplace. Hmmmmmm, a dim bulb went on in my mushbrained noggin.

I worked the piston back and forth by hand a few times and got more oil in.
When I took it back outside and hooked it up to the air hose, Waa-Laa! The riveter pulled those 1/4" stainless Steel 3/4" long rivets like they were 1/16" aluminum rain gutter rivets.

The moral to this story? I dunno, but I sure felt stoopid when it finally dawned on my that the words on the box were accurate.

Signed,
Dallas The Mush Brained Mechanic!

[JackConrad]

Dallas,
    Thanks for the heads up.  I have that same riveter. I never would have thought about that.  Jack

[Dreamscape]

I also have the same gun.

Thanks for the heads up Dallas, now I won't look so 'tupid! 

You're the Man,

Paul

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Dallas,

Hummmm..  My 30 year old Lobster Air Riviter has never seen oil..?   I wonder if I should find an oil spot?

Maybe 100's of thousands of rivits went through it.  Don't have the "Distruction's" anymore!

Nick-

[Dallas]

Hi Dallas,

Hummmm..  My 30 year old Lobster* Air Riviter has never seen oil..?   I wonder if I should find an oil spot?

Maybe 100's of thousands of rivits went through it.  Don't have the "Distruction's" anymore!

Nick-

I lobster, But I Flounder?      Oh, COD, sorry! I current resist. I hope it doesn't make you Crabby!

Maybe, Nick, but these are China-Pneumonia guns. I would still be using my Huck 352 but it seems to have grown legs or wings. It was only about 25 years old, and I bought it surplus at Boeing surplus store. I never did more than put a couple drops of air tool oil down the quick connect chuck on it either.

[chargePlus]

I lobster, But I Flounder?      Oh, COD, sorry! I current resist. I hope it doesn't make you Crabby!

Prolly just a fluke that I'm reading this far. Time for me to clam up and skate before the sharks of the BB beat on me like a cheap drum and make me feel crappy.     

- John

[jjrbus]

Next time I get my Harborfreight's best air riveter out I will have to check it!!! Good post Dallas

[Busted Knuckle]

This thread has gone to the dogs opps I mean fish! FWIW   BK 

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

This thread has gone to the dogs opps I mean fish! FWIW   BK 

Hay BK,

yea, that too... DogFish

Nick-