A bucker holds a heavy bucking bar against the unformed tail of a hot or cold rivet while the riveter drives it from the opposite side. The job requires significant physical strength to absorb the pneumatic hammer's impacts without letting the bar bounce. Communication with the riveter is essential to ensure the rivet is upset evenly.
Heard on the job
The bucker tapped twice on the bulkhead to signal he was on the next rivet.
Also heard as
- bucker-up
- holder-up
Related terms
Buck
To press a heavy steel bar against the tail of a rivet while it is driven from the other side.
Bucking bar
A heavy block of steel or tungsten used to back up a rivet during installation.
Holder-up
A worker who presses a heavy metal bar against the back of a rivet while it is being driven from the other side.