6 Best Rivet Nut Tools For Attaching Fences To Posts That Last a Lifetime
Secure your fence for a lifetime. Our guide reviews the 6 best rivet nut tools for creating strong, permanent threaded anchor points on any post.
You’ve probably been there: wrestling with a self-tapping screw that stripped out the hole in a metal T-post, leaving your gate hinge loose and sagging. Or maybe you tried through-bolting a fence panel, only to have the nut on the backside constantly snag on equipment or livestock. There is a better way to get a rock-solid, permanent threaded connection on any metal post, and it’s with a rivet nut tool.
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Why Use Rivet Nuts for Your Farm Fencing?
A rivet nut, sometimes called a nutsert, is a brilliant piece of hardware. Think of it as a hollow rivet with threads on the inside. You drill a hole in your metal post, insert the rivet nut, and use a special tool to compress it, which creates a permanent, threaded anchor right in the post wall.
This changes everything for farm fencing. Instead of relying on screws that can work loose or bolts that are a pain to install, you get a clean, strong attachment point. You can now bolt your fence panels, gate hardware, or wire tensioners directly to the post with a standard machine screw or bolt. It’s a professional-grade solution that eliminates the weak points in many DIY fence systems.
The real magic is the strength and reusability. A properly set rivet nut won’t pull out or spin, even with the constant tension of a well-stretched fence line. If you ever need to replace a panel or adjust a gate, you just unbolt it, do your work, and bolt it right back on. No more drilling new holes or fighting with stripped-out fasteners.
Astro Pneumatic 1442: Top All-Around Performer
If you plan to use rivet nuts for more than just one weekend project, the Astro 1442 is the tool to get. It’s the perfect balance of performance, durability, and ease of use for a busy hobby farm. This isn’t a cheap, single-use tool; it’s a reliable piece of equipment that will live in your workshop for years.
What sets the Astro apart is its quick-change mandrel system. You can swap between different sizes of rivet nuts (both SAE and metric) in seconds without needing any wrenches. When you’re moving down a fence line and need to switch from a 1/4-20 for a panel clip to a 5/16-18 for a hinge, this feature is a massive time-saver.
The tool itself is compact but powerful enough to set steel rivet nuts without excessive effort. It feels solid in your hands, giving you the confidence that it won’t fail midway through a critical installation. For the farmer who values efficiency and wants a tool that just works every time, the Astro 1442 is a fantastic investment.
WETOLS WE-882 Kit: Best Value for Farm Repairs
Sometimes you just need to fix a specific problem right now. Maybe a gate latch broke off a pipe gate or you need to mount a water trough to a couple of posts. The WETOLS WE-882 kit is tailor-made for these exact scenarios, offering incredible value for occasional use.
This isn’t just a tool; it’s a complete repair system in a box. It comes with the rivet nut setter, multiple mandrels, and a generous assortment of the most common rivet nut sizes you’ll need around the farm. You won’t have to make a second trip to the hardware store because you forgot to buy the right size nutserts.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t a professional-grade tool meant for daily, high-volume work. But for the price, its performance is impressive. It’s more than capable of setting the aluminum and steel rivet nuts needed for most fencing repairs. If you need a reliable tool for a few dozen installations a year, this kit is the smartest money you can spend.
ARES 70413: Heavy-Duty Choice for Thick Posts
Standard metal T-posts are one thing, but what about heavy-walled pipe or square tubing? When you’re working with thicker, tougher materials, you need a tool that can deliver serious pulling force without flexing or breaking. The ARES 70413 is built for exactly that kind of work.
This tool is noticeably beefier than many of its competitors. The longer handles and robust construction provide the leverage needed to consistently set larger steel and even stainless steel rivet nuts in thick-gauge metal. Trying to do the same job with a smaller, less capable tool will just lead to frustration and poorly set, unreliable fasteners.
The ARES is an ideal choice if your farm projects involve structural connections, like building custom gates or mounting heavy equipment brackets. It’s overkill for light-duty tasks, but when you need absolute strength and reliability, you’ll be glad you have it. It’s a tool that provides peace of mind on the toughest jobs.
Marson HP-2: A Pro-Grade Tool for Daily Use
For some folks, fencing isn’t a one-time project but an ongoing part of managing their property. If you find yourself constantly building, repairing, or modifying fences, you need a tool that’s designed for professional use. The Marson HP-2 is that tool—a classic in the industry for a reason.
The HP-2 is all about ergonomics and durability. Its cushioned grips and smooth, powerful action reduce hand fatigue, which makes a huge difference when you’re setting a hundred rivet nuts in an afternoon. It’s built to withstand the rigors of daily work without failing, a claim many cheaper tools simply can’t make.
This is not the budget option, and it doesn’t come in a fancy kit with a bunch of extras. You are paying for the quality of the tool itself. But if your time is valuable and you can’t afford a tool failure in the middle of a big project, the Marson HP-2 is a worthy, long-term investment in your farm’s infrastructure.
GIMFOOM 16” Tool: Maximum Leverage, Less Effort
Setting larger rivet nuts, especially those made of steel, requires a surprising amount of force. If you’ve ever struggled with a short-handled tool, you know the strain it can put on your hands and arms. The GIMFOOM 16” tool solves this problem with one simple, effective feature: long handles.
Basic physics tells us that longer levers make work easier, and that’s exactly what you get here. The 16-inch arms provide immense mechanical advantage, allowing you to set 3/8-16 or M10 steel rivet nuts with a fraction of the effort required by smaller tools. This makes it a fantastic choice for anyone, but it’s especially useful for folks who may not have the grip strength for compact models.
This tool is particularly well-suited for mounting heavy gate hinges or securing wooden posts to metal brackets. These applications often demand larger, stronger fasteners. The GIMFOOM makes those heavy-duty jobs accessible without needing a pneumatic tool. It proves that smart design can be just as effective as brute force.
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Suncoo Pneumatic Riveter: For High-Volume Fencing
If you’re facing a massive project like fencing an entire multi-acre pasture with pipe posts, a manual tool is going to wear you out fast. This is where a pneumatic riveter becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity. The Suncoo pneumatic tool is a workhorse designed for speed and repetition.
Hook this tool up to an air compressor, and you can set a rivet nut perfectly in about two seconds. Just drill the hole, place the rivet nut on the tool, insert it, and pull the trigger. The consistency is flawless, and the speed is unmatched, turning a grueling, all-day job into a manageable morning task.
Of course, the trade-off is the need for a decent air compressor and hose, which adds to the overall cost and reduces portability. You can’t just throw it in a bucket and walk to the back forty. But for large-scale installations where efficiency is paramount, the initial investment in a pneumatic setup pays for itself in saved time and labor.
Choosing the Right Mandrel for Your Fence Posts
The tool is only half the equation; the mandrel is the critical component that does the actual work. The mandrel is the threaded stud on the tool that you screw the rivet nut onto before setting it. A broken mandrel can bring your entire project to a halt, so understanding them is key.
First, match the mandrel size to the bolts you’ll be using. Common sizes for farm use are 1/4-20, 5/16-18, and 3/8-16. Decide on your hardware first, then make sure the tool you buy has the corresponding mandrel. Most kits come with a variety, but always double-check.
Second, understand that mandrels are wear items, and they can break, especially when setting hard steel rivet nuts. Higher-quality tools like the Astro and Marson often use hardened steel mandrels that last much longer. Cheaper kits may use softer metal, so it’s wise to have a spare on hand for your most-used size. A broken mandrel stuck inside the tool is a frustrating and time-consuming problem to fix in the middle of the field.
Finally, proper use extends mandrel life. Make sure the rivet nut is threaded all the way onto the mandrel and that the tool is held perpendicular to the post. Applying force at an angle is the fastest way to snap a mandrel. Taking an extra second to set it up right will save you a major headache later.
Ultimately, using rivet nuts is about building a fence that’s not only strong on day one but also easy to maintain for years to come. By choosing the right tool for the scale of your operation—whether it’s a simple kit for repairs or a pneumatic workhorse for a big project—you’re investing in a system that eliminates common failure points and saves you valuable time in the long run.
