Q. How does the locking system work in the Self-Bolt ?

A. The mandrel has a "locking skirt" which is opened out into the head of the rivet during setting.  Proper opening of the skirt requires use of a special nosepiece.

Q. How does the Self-Bolt allow for such a wide range of "grip" (material thickness) for one rivet size ?

A. Self-Bolt is a "wiredraw" rivet, where the hollow mandrel head adapts to the thickness of the workpiece.  This does require, however, that you use a back sheet that is thick and rigid enough to allow the "wiredraw" effect, and also to prevent hole deformation.

Q. What should I do if the backsheet is less than 1mm thick, and/or not rigid enough to use Self-Bolt ?

A. You should use the S-Bulb or SelfLok rivets, which are designed for use with thin sheets.   Due to the "bulbing" effect during setting, you do not apply pressure on the hole, so there is no risk of hole deformation.