Why proper rivet storage matters more than you think

The rivets can do their job – but can you do yours?

It’s a common misconception that once you’ve bought your rivets and installed them, the job’s done. In reality, purchasing rivets, especially in bulk, is only half the story. What many overlook is how they’re stored between jobs. If you don’t want your money going down the drain, then proper rivet storage should be part of your standard operating procedure.

Whether you’re working in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, or OEM engineering, proper storage ensures your rivets remain in top condition, ready to do their job when you need them most.

The Hidden Costs of Poor Rivet Storage

🧲 Corrosion: The Silent Rivet Killer

The most obvious – yet still one of the most common – reasons to store rivets correctly is to prevent corrosion. Rivets made from steel or aluminium can easily corrode or oxidise if exposed to humidity, moisture, or temperature fluctuations. Rust or pitting on a rivet’s surface can compromise structural integrity, making them unfit for use. That means reordering, more waiting, and lost productivity.

Top tip: Store rivets in dry, sealed containers and keep them away from damp areas or direct contact with workshop surfaces.

🧼 Cross-Contamination: Mix-Ups You Can't Afford

In a busy workshop, it’s all too easy to toss various rivets, rivets nuts, and fasteners into the same container. But using the wrong material or type can have catastrophic results—especially in aerospace or automotive applications where every connection counts. Cross-contamination can also lead to mismatched metals, which may cause galvanic corrosion down the line.

Organised storage isn't just neat – it’s smart risk management.

🛠️ Damage Through Poor Handling

Let’s face it: engineering environments aren’t always tidy. We’ve all been guilty of chucking things on the bench at the end of a long day. But mishandling rivets—dropping them, letting them roll around, or storing them loosely—can bend, deform, or blunt them.

A deformed rivet is an unusable rivet. That’s not just waste—it’s wasted time, effort, and money.

⏱️ Lost Time Searching for the Right Size

In the middle of a job, having to dig through drawers to find the correct rivet size or type is frustrating at best. And when deadlines loom, delays caused by disorganisation become expensive. Properly labelled, compartmentalised storage systems can dramatically improve workflow, ensuring you always have the right rivet tool, fastener, or rivet nut within reach.

How to Store Rivets the Right Way

•  Use labelled storage bins or drawers sorted by material, diameter, and grip range.
•  Keep rivets in dry, temperature-controlled environments.
•  Avoid mixing different types or metals together.
•  Inspect stock regularly and rotate older rivets forward (FIFO method).
•  Don’t forget about desiccant packs to absorb moisture in long-term storage.

Whether you’re dealing with aluminium rivets, steel rivet nuts, or specialised riveting tools, taking care of your materials means you’re taking care of your business.

Don’t leave it to chance—make sure your storage setup is working as hard as your tools are. 

👉 Speak to the Rivetwise team for advice tailored to your workshop.

After all, the rivets are ready to do their job—but can you do yours?