6 Best Plastic Rivet Tools For Securing Plastic Sheeting In Tunnels Vets Use
Vets need reliable tools for securing tunnel sheeting. We review the 6 best plastic rivet guns, comparing them for durability, speed, and ease of use.
Securing plastic sheeting in a high tunnel feels like a job that never truly ends. Wind finds every weak spot, and temperature swings make materials expand and contract, pulling staples and loosening screws. For a vet using a tunnel as a clean, controlled space for animal care, a torn sheet or a sharp metal fastener isn’t just an annoyance—it’s a potential hazard. This is precisely why plastic rivets, and the tools that set them, have become my go-to solution for a secure, long-lasting, and safe installation.
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Why Plastic Rivets Secure Tunnel Sheeting Best
Staples rust and tear through plastic over time, creating larger holes with every gust of wind. Screws with washers are better, but they can still create pressure points that lead to cracking, especially in cold weather. Tape? It’s a temporary fix at best, quickly losing its grip in the face of humidity and UV exposure.
Plastic rivets solve all these problems with a simple, mechanical bond. The tool pulls the rivet’s pin, expanding the back and clamping the plastic sheeting firmly to the frame. This creates a low-profile, permanent fastener that distributes pressure over a wider area, drastically reducing the risk of tearing. For veterinary use, this is non-negotiable. The smooth, rounded head of a plastic rivet won’t snag an animal or a handler, and there are no sharp metal edges to worry about during cleaning or daily chores.
Astro Pneumatic PR14: A Top Choice for Durability
When you pick up the Astro Pneumatic PR14, you know it’s built for work. It’s a heavy-duty tool, often made with a steel body, that feels solid in your hand. This isn’t a flimsy piece of equipment you’ll replace next season. It’s designed for repetitive, high-volume tasks, like building out a brand new, large-scale tunnel from scratch.
The real benefit of its solid construction is the consistent, powerful pulling action. You get a clean, satisfying "pop" every time a rivet sets, leaving no doubt that the fastener is secure. This reliability is crucial when you’re setting hundreds of rivets. The tradeoff, of course, is weight. If you’re working overhead for hours or have limited hand strength, the heft of the PR14 can lead to fatigue. But for pure, rugged durability, it’s hard to beat.
Neiko 30440A: Lightweight for Long Vet Tunnels
The Neiko 30440A represents the other end of the spectrum. Its primary advantage is its lightweight aluminum or composite construction. While it may not feel as indestructible as a steel-bodied tool, the difference is immediately noticeable when you’re working on a long tunnel. Securing a 75-foot run of sheeting means holding the tool at shoulder height or higher for an extended period, and every ounce matters.
This tool is all about reducing user fatigue. It makes the job faster and more comfortable, which is a huge benefit for a hobby farmer squeezing in projects after a long day. While it’s plenty durable for farm use, it’s a clear choice for anyone who prioritizes ergonomics over sheer brute force. It proves that you don’t always need the heaviest tool, just the smartest one for the task at hand.
ABN Rivet Gun Kit: Complete Set for Farm Repairs
Sometimes the best tool isn’t just a tool; it’s a solution in a box. The ABN Rivet Gun Kit is a prime example. These kits typically include a reliable rivet tool along with a well-organized assortment of plastic rivets in various sizes and grip ranges. This is incredibly practical for a working farm.
One day you’re securing 6-mil greenhouse plastic, and the next you’re patching a crack in a plastic stock tank or reattaching a fender on the UTV. Having a full kit means you don’t have to stop work and run to the store for a specific size of fastener. It turns the rivet gun from a single-purpose tool into a versatile repair station, making it a much more valuable addition to your workshop.
Horusdy 9-Inch Tool: Ideal for Quick Patch Jobs
Not every job requires a full-size, heavy-duty tool. The Horusdy 9-inch and similar compact rivet tools are perfect for quick, on-the-fly repairs. Their smaller size makes them easy to tuck into a barn coat pocket or a small field repair kit. When a winter storm rips a small tear in your tunnel, you can grab this tool and a few rivets to fix it in minutes.
The main tradeoff with a smaller tool is leverage. The shorter handles require more hand strength to set the rivet compared to a larger tool. You wouldn’t want to build an entire tunnel with one of these. But for patching holes, securing loose corners, or other small-scale tasks, its convenience and portability are unmatched. It’s the tool you’ll be glad you have when a small problem needs an immediate fix.
Marson 39000 HP-2: Angled Head for Awkward Spots
Every farm has those frustrating, hard-to-reach places. You might need to secure sheeting behind a diagonal support brace, under a low-hanging shelf, or tight against a foundation wall. A standard, straight rivet tool simply won’t fit. This is where a specialty tool like the Marson 39000 HP-2, with its angled or swiveling head, becomes invaluable.
This design allows you to access tight corners and awkward angles that would otherwise be impossible to fasten securely. It’s not the first rivet tool most people buy, but for those with complex tunnel designs or who find themselves doing intricate repair work, it’s a true problem-solver. It turns a frustrating, time-consuming task into a straightforward one.
Dorman 702-100: Versatile for Various Sheeting
Versatility is a key principle for any hobby farmer with limited resources. The Dorman 702-100 and similar tools are built with this in mind, often shipping with multiple interchangeable nose pieces. These tips allow the tool to accept plastic rivets of different diameters, making it highly adaptable.
This feature is more important than it sounds. You might use thin, 4-mil plastic for a temporary row cover but switch to a heavy-duty, 12-mil woven poly for your main high tunnel. These materials require different rivet sizes for a secure hold. A tool with interchangeable heads means you can handle both jobs without buying a second piece of equipment, saving you money and storage space.
Matching Rivet Type to Your Plastic Sheeting
The best tool in the world will fail if you use the wrong fastener. The plastic rivet itself is just as important as the tool that sets it. Getting this right means understanding three key elements:
- Grip Range: This is the total thickness of the materials you’re fastening. You need to measure the thickness of your plastic sheeting plus the wall of the pipe or wood you’re attaching it to. The rivet’s grip range must match this measurement for a tight, secure fit.
- Diameter: A wider rivet diameter spreads the clamping force over a larger area. For thin, 6-mil plastic, a wider rivet is essential to prevent it from pulling through the hole under stress.
- Head Style: Always choose a rivet with a wide, low-profile head (often called a "truss" or "button" head). This maximizes surface contact with the plastic, providing the strongest possible hold and minimizing the chance of tearing.
Don’t just grab any rivet. For standard greenhouse plastic on a PVC or metal conduit frame, a rivet with a large head and the correct grip range is your best bet. Taking a moment to choose the right fastener ensures the job will last for years, not just until the next big storm.
Ultimately, the best plastic rivet tool is the one that fits the scale and complexity of your work. Whether you need a durable workhorse for a big build, a lightweight tool for long runs, or a versatile kit for all-around farm repairs, making a deliberate choice pays off. Investing in the right tool and matching it with the correct rivets doesn’t just save you time and frustration; it creates a safer, more secure, and more professional-looking structure for your animals and your farm.
