This pilot study was conducted to evaluate the vibration exposures associated with three different rivet guns. Two experienced mechanics each used the three different rivet guns and simulated riveting against a load cell. Tri-axial vibration was measured from the barrel and handle of the rivet gun;​ small, battery-powered, self-contained Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) measured the surface vibrations transmitted through the tool operators’ hands, forearms and upper arms;​ and a wearable wrist watch device measured vibration exposures at the right wrist. The measurements indicated that the barrels of the rivet guns had two-fold higher vibration exposures than the tool handles. In contrast, the vibration magnitudes measured from right and left arms did not match the tool-based measurement trends. The percentages of the tool-born exposures transmitted through the right arm were generally two-fold higher than the left arm. Finally, the wrist watch device appeared to accurately estimate the magnitude of the tool-born exposures measured at the right hand.