When I first looked into how to use the Hex Anvil (sometime in 2015), there was a marvelous pictorial tutorial by FusionBeads, "Basic Riveting with Anvil" [discontinued]. However (as I noted in my earlier post, "How to Use the Hex Anvil", the link to that great tutorial was no longer available. Because FusionBeads was no longer available.
But through the wonders and magic of WayBackMachine (https://archive.org/web/), I found that FusionBeads tutorial again. In this post, I am just going to capture the images and steps as laid out, once upon a time, by the wonderful FusionBeads.com
So all credit for this useful info goes to FusionBeads, wherever they are now.
Basic Riveting using the Hex Anvil
(a historial pictorial tutorial by FusionBeads.com ... I think was from 2012)
Step 1
Select your stamping blanks or sheet metal.
Select your stamping blanks or sheet metal.
Step 2
Position the blanks in a design you like. With the Sharpie, mark where you want the rivet to be on the top blank.
Position the blanks in a design you like. With the Sharpie, mark where you want the rivet to be on the top blank.
Step 3
Use a Pro Polish Pad to avoid marring the metal. Place the polishing pad under the metal. The pad will cushion the punch while allowing you to clearly see the mark where the hole is intended. Position the lower jaw of the pliers (the side with the hole) over the mark and make the punch.
Use a Pro Polish Pad to avoid marring the metal. Place the polishing pad under the metal. The pad will cushion the punch while allowing you to clearly see the mark where the hole is intended. Position the lower jaw of the pliers (the side with the hole) over the mark and make the punch.
Step 4
Layout the blanks again and with a Sharpie, mark the placement for the hole in the botttom blank using the hole you just made in step 3.
Layout the blanks again and with a Sharpie, mark the placement for the hole in the botttom blank using the hole you just made in step 3.
Step 5
Use a Pro Polish Pad to avoid marring the metal. Place the polishing pad under the metal. The pad will cushion the punch while allowing you to clearly see the mark where the hole is intended. Position the lower jaw of the pliers (the side with the hole) over the mark and make the punch.
Use a Pro Polish Pad to avoid marring the metal. Place the polishing pad under the metal. The pad will cushion the punch while allowing you to clearly see the mark where the hole is intended. Position the lower jaw of the pliers (the side with the hole) over the mark and make the punch.
Step 6
You now have holes in both of the blanks.
You now have holes in both of the blanks.
Step 7
To begin making your rivet place the hexagonal anvil on the bench block. You will use the anvil to make one end of the rivet.
To begin making your rivet place the hexagonal anvil on the bench block. You will use the anvil to make one end of the rivet.
Step 8
Flush cut one
Flush cut one
Step 9
Insert the wire into a hole that it fits snugly into on the hexagonal anvil. Flush cut the other end of the wire leaving about 1/8"-1/16" above the anvil.
Insert the wire into a hole that it fits snugly into on the hexagonal anvil. Flush cut the other end of the wire leaving about 1/8"-1/16" above the anvil.
Step 10
The wire that is sticking up above the anvil is what will become your rivet head.
The wire that is sticking up above the anvil is what will become your rivet head.
Step 11
Using the chisel-shaped end of your riveting hammer lightly tapping across the rivet.
Using the chisel-shaped end of your riveting hammer lightly tapping across the rivet.
Step 12
Turn the anvil 90 degrees and continue lightly tapping across the rivet. You will start to see a small head forming on the rivet.
Turn the anvil 90 degrees and continue lightly tapping across the rivet. You will start to see a small head forming on the rivet.
Step 13
Turn the anvil 90 degrees and continue lightly tapping across the rivet. Repeat steps 11-13 several times until you have a nice mushroom head formed.
Turn the anvil 90 degrees and continue lightly tapping across the rivet. Repeat steps 11-13 several times until you have a nice mushroom head formed.
Step 14
Once your rivet has mushroomed out nicely, use the flat side of the riveting hammer to make a few final strikes to the rivet. This will flatten out the rivet head and give it a nice smooth surface.
Once your rivet has mushroomed out nicely, use the flat side of the riveting hammer to make a few final strikes to the rivet. This will flatten out the rivet head and give it a nice smooth surface.
Step 15
Pull out the wire rivet from the anvil. If the rivet is difficult to pull out, use another piece of wire to push it out from the bottom.
Pull out the wire rivet from the anvil. If the rivet is difficult to pull out, use another piece of wire to push it out from the bottom.
Step 16
Insert your cut wire or rivet into both of the pieces to be riveted together. Flush cut the wire or rivet leaving about 1/8"-1/16".
Insert your cut wire or rivet into both of the pieces to be riveted together. Flush cut the wire or rivet leaving about 1/8"-1/16".
Step 17
Stack all of the pieces to be riveted on the bench block. Use the chisel-shaped end of your riveting hammer to lightly tap across the rivet.
Stack all of the pieces to be riveted on the bench block. Use the chisel-shaped end of your riveting hammer to lightly tap across the rivet.
Step 18
Turn your piece 90 degrees and continue lightly tapping across the rivet. You will start to see a small head forming on the rivet.
Turn your piece 90 degrees and continue lightly tapping across the rivet. You will start to see a small head forming on the rivet.
Step 19
Turn your piece 90 degrees and continue lightly tapping across the rivet.
Turn your piece 90 degrees and continue lightly tapping across the rivet.
Step 20
Turn your piece 90 degrees and continue lightly tapping across the rivet. Repeat steps 17-20 several times until you have a nice mushroom head formed.
Turn your piece 90 degrees and continue lightly tapping across the rivet. Repeat steps 17-20 several times until you have a nice mushroom head formed.
Step 21
Once your rivet has mushroomed out nicely, then use the flat side of the riveting hammer to make a few final strikes to the rivet. This will flatten out the rivet head and give it a nice smooth surface. Take care in hammering as you don't want to mar the metal blanks with the edge of the hammer.
Once your rivet has mushroomed out nicely, then use the flat side of the riveting hammer to make a few final strikes to the rivet. This will flatten out the rivet head and give it a nice smooth surface. Take care in hammering as you don't want to mar the metal blanks with the edge of the hammer.
Step 22
Congratulations! You have completed your riveted piece.
Congratulations! You have completed your riveted piece.
