A hand riveter is a manually operated tool that installs blind rivets, also known as pop rivets. These rivets are very useful for applications where there is limited - or no - access to the back side of the materials being fastened. They can be used with metal sheets or thin materials like acrylic.

The manual guns are the most common type of hand-operated rivet gun. They operate by squeezing a lever and causing the barrel to advance while simultaneously driving the head of a rivet into place.
They typically have a squeeze handle to set the rivet, and longer lever handles to apply more force. Despite their simplicity, they can become tedious and stressful on hands, wrists and arms if you use them frequently.

Pneumatic Rivet Guns are a more advanced riveting solution and can be an effective alternative to manual hand-operated tools. The pneumatic rivet gun uses a pressurized air source that is controlled by a throttle valve. This regulated air is then sent to the piston that strikes against the rivet set.

This causes the bucking bar to deform the tail of the rivet and forces the two pieces of work together. This action locks the fasteners together and prevents movement during assembly.
There are several types of rivet guns on the market, and choosing one is dependent on several factors. Among them are the number of rivets that need to be installed, the grip range and joint thickness, the materials being used and other considerations.