4 Ways to Remove Rivets From Leather Without Damaging It

If you have a leather item with rivets that you need to remove, don’t worry – it’s not as difficult as it may seem. With a few simple tools and a bit of know-how, you can remove rivets from leather without damaging it. In this article, I’ll show you how.

Table of Contents

• What Type of Rivets Are Used to Join Leather?
  • Single Cap Rivets
  • Double Cap Rivets
  • Tubular Rivets
  • Split Rivets
  • Copper/Brass Rivets
• 4 Methods on How to Remove Rivets from the Leather
  • Method 1
  • Method 2
  • Method 3
  • Method 4
• The Wrong Things People Do
• Difficulties in Removing Rivets From Leather
• Conclusion 

What Type of Rivets Are Used to Join Leather?

Many types of rivets can be used to join the leather, but the most common are single caps, double caps, and tubular rivets.

Single Cap Rivets

Single cap rivets are the most basic and commonly used type of rivet. They consist of a single metal cap inserted through both layers of leather and then hammered down. Single cap rivets are typically used for light-duty applications.

Double Cap Rivets

Double cap rivets are similar to a single cap but have two metal caps instead of just one. Double cap rivets provide a more secure hold than single cap rivets and are typically used for heavier-duty applications.

Tubular Rivets

Tubular rivets are another type of rivet commonly used for riveting leather. Tubular rivets have a hollow body with a small flange on one end. They are inserted through both layers of leather, and then the flange is hammered down, causing the body to expand and secure the leather. This name is due to the hollow tube.

Split Rivets

Split rivets have a split body that expands when inserted through both layers of leather and then hammered down, and This causes the split rivet to grip the leather securely. 

Copper/Brass Rivets

This name is because these rivets are made of copper or brass. Copper/brass rivets are made of a soft metal that is easy to hammer down. They provide a secure hold and are resistant to rust and corrosion.

4 Methods on How to Remove Rivets from the Leather

There are several ways to remove rivets from leather, and the best method will depend on the type of rivet and the thickness of the leather. The following techniques will help you remove any rivet described below.

Method 1

Using the tools described below for rivet removal should hopefully be able to do the job without damage.

This method will require 4 (four) tools, 1. Drill Machine, 2. Screwdriver, 3. Hammer 4. Awl or a sharp object. 

Procedure:

1. Firstly, take the drill machine and set it to a lower speed. 
2. Drill through the rivet head until the drill bit comes out from the other side. 
3. Once the drill bit comes out from the other side, use a screwdriver to unscrew the rivet from the leather. 
4. Finally, use an awl or a sharp object to remove the remaining part of the rivet from the leather.

Alternatively, you can use a Dremel tool instead of a drill tool. In doing the job, the drill bit must be attached to the front of the Dremel tool.

In my Perspective, this method is best used when you don’t want to do any damage and do it quickly. You can try the methods below if you don’t have these tools.

Method 2

Everything required in this method is readily available.

This method will require 3 (three) tools, 1. A big head galvanized nail, 2. Hammer, 3. Pliers.

Procedure:

1. Firstly, place the galvanized nail on top of the rivet. 
2. Secondly, use the hammer to hit the nail, which will cause the rivet to loosen. 
3. Finally, use the pliers to remove the rivet from the leather. 

This method is suitable for small rivets.

Method 3

This method will require 2 (two) tools, 1. Rivet Removal tools, 2. Drill Machine.

Procedure:

1. Take the rivet removal tool and insert it into the head of the rivet. 
2. Use the drill machine to rotate the rivet removal tool in a counterclockwise direction. Turning the rivet removal tool will loosen the grip of the rivet, and eventually, it will come out.

This method is suitable for all types of rivets. You can buy removal tools if you want to move this work professionally. Or it is relatively cost-effective for small tasks.

Method 4

Use only End, Cutting Nipper.

If you don’t have a drill machine, then you can use only an end-cutting nipper for this method. Its price range is 15$-30$. This tool can be used to remove rivets from things like belts.

Procedure:

The end-cutting nipper tool should be inserted between the two layers of the belt and adequately reach the base of the rivet.

Once the tool is set perfectly, squeeze both handles.

Keep squeezing the handles until the rivet is wholly cut and removed.

The Wrong Things People Do

1. One of the main problems people are trying to remove the rivets without first drilling a hole in the head of the rivet. This technique will cause the rivet to spin and eventually strip the head, making it very difficult to remove.
2. Chiseling is the process of removing material from a workpiece by striking it with a sharpened tool. Chiseling is a destructive method that should only be used as a last resort.
3. Cutting discs should not be used to remove rivets from leather because there is a risk of damage to the leather due to slight mistakes.
4. Rivets should not be removed with a saw because it is challenging to control the blade, and there is a risk of damage to the leather.

Difficulties in Removing Rivets From Leather

Rivets are one of the most challenging things to remove from leather. They are tough to grip and often spin when you try to remove them. It can cause the head of the rivet to strip, making it even more challenging to remove. In addition, if you are not careful, you can easily damage the leather.

A few points are mentioned below:

1. If the quality of the leather is poor or thin, there is a possibility of tearing.
2. It is impossible to reuse rivets of the same size in the hole where the rivet is because the holes are enlarged by removing the rivet.
3. Due to a lack of proper tools, many choose the wrong tools, which may not be suitable for leather. Because of this, the rivets can get stuck.
4. Low-quality rivets tend to rust and become brittle, making removal difficult.

Conclusion

The best way to remove rivets from leather will vary depending on the type and severity of the damage. However, some general tips on how to remove it from leather include using a soft cloth or brush to gently remove any dirt or debris and using a leather cleaner or conditioner to help restore the leather’s natural moisture and shine.