Method of installing blind fastener

A method of forming a hole in a thermoplastic workpiece without drilling thereof in order to install a blind fastener therein, wherein the blind fastener has a leading end face which is substantially flat and non-abrasive and without drilling teeth, and wherein the leading end face of the blind fastener is adapted to be held in contact with a near face of the thermoplastic workpiece, and wherein the leading end face of the fastener is provided by the end face of a forwardly projecting rim surrounding an aperture, which method comprises:

• contacting the near face of the workpiece with the leading end face of the blind fastener, and applying heat and pressure to the contacted area of the workpiece by means of the leading end face of the blind fastener, whereby the forwardly projecting rim of the blind fastener has a wall thickness that is sufficiently small such that the blind fastener progressively forms a hole through the thermoplastic workpiece in which hole it can subsequently be installed, wherein the aperture is adapted to receive a slug of the workpiece material formed by the leading end face, and wherein the blind fastener includes means for preventing the slug from dropping off the leading end of the fastener after the latter has penetrated the workpiece.