The Handyman's Pocket Book: Rivets.

These are used chiefly in metal work or joining comparatively thin sheets of metal together.  Another use is in boat building when the wood planks are held together with copper rivets, though in this case the end of the rivet is spread over a washer or rove, as it is called.  Leather is also riveted, though here the rivet is usually bifurcated, and the twin ends bent over a washer (see, E Fig. 1).

KINDS OF RIVETS.  Various metals are used: copper, aluminium, iron, tinned, etc.  They are known by the diameter of the shank, length, metal, and type of head.  Fig. 1 shows the chief kinds.  A is the round or snap head, and is the most commonly used type, having high strength.  The pan head, B, is also strong.  For thin metal plates the tinman's rivet, C, is generally used.  Its head covers a wide area yet has little projection.  The countersunk type, D, is used when there can be no projection, but should be avoided when possible as it is not so strong, being liable to pull through.  Clearly it cannot be used for thin sheets in which there is not enough depth for the countersinking.

In choosing rivets the usual plan is to have the diameter about double that of the metal plates being joined.  Thus 1/16 in. plate would have 1/8 in. rivets.  The length should be calculated so that when the rivet has been knocked right through there is a projection equal to about 1 1/4 times the diameter.

It is essential that the plates are in close contact when riveting, and the best way of ensuring this is to use a hollow set.  It is shown in Fig. 2, and it is usually made in combination form with a hole into which the end of the rivet can pass with space to spare at the end, and a hollow depression which is the reverse of the head required.  The plates being put together and the rivet in position, the work is placed on an anvil or heavy iron head and the hollow set placed right over the rivet.  Striking this smartly causes the plates to be forced together and down hard on to the rivet head.  The projecting end is then beaten over with the hammer and the hollow depression of the set placed over it.  When this is struck with the hammer the end is formed to the round or snap head shape.