Triple claw or tri-fold blind rivets are an ideal solution for applications into thin or brittle materials, and also heavy duty materials, depending on which tri-fold rivet you install.
Triple claw rivets are different from standard rivets as the body splits into three distinct "claws" or "legs" that splay outward and fold flat against the back side of the material, like a three-pronged foot. A normal blind rivet forms just a single compacted bulge on the blind side as the mandrel pulls the body back.
Installation Advantages
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Much larger bearing surface – the three spread claws distribute clamping force over a wider area so it resists pulling through the hole in weak sheet material.
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Works in soft/brittle substrates – the claws perform like a toggle bolt and grip materials like fiberglass, plastic, composites, thin aluminum, or wood, which prevents any ripping or tearing of the material.
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Good for oversized or irregular holes – because the claws spread wide, they can bridge gaps or slightly oversized holes better than a normal rivet body.
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High vibration/pull-out resistance – the mechanical interlock from the folded claws holds up better under repeated stress than friction/bulge alone.
Applications
Truck and trailer bodies, RV panels, composite and honeycomb panels, HVAC ductwork, signage, and other assemblies where you're joining thin or soft skins to a substructure and a standard rivet would just pull through.
Types of Tri-Fold Blind Rivets
GOEBEL Fastener Company manufactures two types of Tri-Folding blind rivets for industrial applications.
TRE-GO Tri-Folding Rivets are made of Aluminum/Aluminum, and have a unique mandrel-locking feature requiring a special nose piece. Once set, the rivet folds into three separate legs forming a wide load-bearing area on the blindside of the material. The TRE-GO locks the remainder of the mandrel in place and offers high clamping capacity — used in the building industry for roof sheets and cladding. GOEBEL’s TRE-GO rivets are the heavier-duty, structural version of triple claw rivets.
TRI-GO - For lightweight panel work in soft materials, GOEBEL’s TRI-GO is the economy option. The TRI-GO’s rivet body splits into three legs, and is ideal for soft and brittle material with light connections. TRI-GO blind rivets are also good for wood, plastic, and plasterboard. They are the lighter-duty version, aimed at low-load, soft-substrate work.
The main difference between the Tre-Go and the Tri-Go blind rivets comes down to mandrel retention and load capacity:Tre-Go has a unique mandrel locking feature that requires a special nose piece — that locking mechanism is exactly the feature that distinguishes it from the simpler Tri-Go.
Dedicated Installation Tool
Both the TRE-GO and TRI-GO are specialty/proprietary fasteners that can only be installed using the GOEBEL GO-TR1 battery powered rivet tool which is specifically designed for triple claw blind rivets.
The GO-TR1 cordless rivet tool is a lithium-ion powered tool that features a brushless motor, ergonomic soft-grip design, and an automatic riveting mode. Combined with either the TRE-GO and TRI-GO tri-fold blind rivets, the GO-TR1 performs smooth installations in a variety of applications.
Key specs:
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Capacity: 3/16", 1/4", and 9/32" (metric equivalents ~5.2mm / 6.4mm / 7.5mm) triple claw rivets
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Motor: Brushless
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Power: 18V/2.0Ah Li-Ion battery
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Pull force: 2,698 lbf (12kN)
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Stroke: 1.020 inch (26mm)
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Weight: 3.08 lbs (1.4kg) including battery
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Kit includes: tool, 3 nosepieces, nosepiece wrench, 2 batteries, charger, and case
Tri-fold Blind Rivets & Installation Tools at Advance
Advance Components is an authorized distributor of GOEBEL TRE-GO and TRI-GO blind rivets and GO-TR1 rivet installation tools. We offer same day shipping, custom bagging and shipping solutions. Our highly trained sales team is happy to help you find the right fastener and tool for any application. Contact Advance today for your custom GOEBEL solution.