A hand riveter is a tool that uses a rivet to connect two pieces of work together. They are often used to fasten signs or other items that are difficult to access from the front, and are particularly useful for DIY-ers.

They are also good for fitting seasonal licence plates and other decorative hardware. They are a bit more expensive than the more common blind rivet pliers, but they're usually a little more powerful and can be used for larger rivets.

The best riveters offer a combination of features that make them easy to use. Some tools have a single long stroke that provides enough pulling power to set most types of rivets, while others have a ratchet action that delivers more power for setting large diameter rivets.

These tools may also come with a nose piece that works with a wider range of rivet sizes and a collection bottle to catch snapped mandrels. Some have a curved arm rather than straight ones, which can give less leverage and make it more difficult to squeeze a rivet in without the help of a hammer.

They are a step up from a hand rivet gun but still require significant physical strength to use, especially on smaller size rivets. This can be a problem for small shops that don't need to install many of these rivets, but they are better than nothing. They also come with a mandrel catch that makes cleaning up easier.