Fastener Installation Tools

Table of Contents


A full set of fastener installation tools [1]

What are Fastener Installation Tools?

Fastener installation tools are a variety of tools used to install fasteners. These include screwdrivers, ratchets, riveters, and much more. Each is suited for a particular situation and fastener type. For example, screwdrivers are useful in situations where the width of the tool is of concern and a longer, narrower tool is preferred, whereas ratchets are more useful in situations where space is not as much a concern and high torque is required.

Note About Metric & Imperial

Since screws, nuts, bolts, rivets and almost every type of fastener is available in both metric and imperial sizes, fastener installation tools are also available in both metric and imperial. Installation tools will work best with the measurement system they are intended for, but may also work with the other system. For example, a wrench meant for a 6.5 mm bolt would probably work on a 1/4" bolt (6.35mm) if needed. The sizing section for each installation tool contains a chart with both metric and imperial tool sizes.

Types of Installation Tools

Screwdrivers [1]

Slotted

- - Also known as: flathead, flat blade screwdriver, standard screwdriver
  - Less likely to round the screw
  - Used in practically every field

Phillips

- - Also known as: cross head
  - Designed to slip out of head when a certain torque limit is reached
  - Most popular screw/screwdriver type

Torx

- - Also known as: star, torx plus
  - Designed for increased security as a specific tool is needed
  - Popular in appliance manufacturing and security fields

Robertson

- - Also known as: square head
  - High torque tolerance and durability
  - More popular in Canada than other countries

Hex

- - Also known as: hex key
  - Hex screwdrivers provide more comfort over Allen wrenches
  - Popular with furniture manufacturers

Screwdriver Sizes

Screwdrivers are sized based on the width of the head, but each type of screwdriver has a separate size chart. Many screwdrivers range from a 1mm head width to 10mm head width. In imperial, some screwdrivers are listed by the screw # that they fit, rather than the head width. Many screwdriver types consist of 'precision sizes', which are smaller head sizes, and 'standard sizes' which are larger head sizes.

Full sizing charts for each can be found at: https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/hand-tools/screwdriver-sizes/

Wrenches [1]

- Usually used on bolts or nuts
- Can either have a socket to go around the fastener, or can be inserted into fastener head

Adjustable Wrench

- - Also known as: crescent wrench
  - Open end with a spiral screw that opens or closes the crescent
  - Due to its adjustability, it is very popular as it can perform the same basic functions as an entire wrench set

Pipe Wrench

- - Similar to an adjustable wrench
  - Adjustable jaw allows the wrench to clamp onto a wide size range
  - Used primarily by plumbers on metal pipes and fittings instead of nuts or bolts

Image of a pipe wrench.

Allen Wrench

- - Also known as: hex key, hex wrench, Allen key
  - Commonly L-shaped or T-shaped
  - Popular with furniture manufacturing and household products

Box-Ended Wrench

- - Also known as: box wrench
  - Consists of a closed loop that can fit on either hex or squares heads which can be recessed to fit recessed fasteners
  - Each end is a separate size to reduce overall number of tools

Combination Wrench

- - Combination of an open-ended wrench and a box-ended wrench
  - Consists of an open U-shape end and a box end
  - Used on tight fasteners; the closed end loosens the fastener so the open end can quickly unscrew it

Ratcheting Wrench

- - Similar to a box-ended wrench
  - Consists of a box-end that only tightens in one direction and ratchets in the other
  - Allows user to turn the wrench without having to remove and reapply if there is an obstacle in the way

Socket Wrench

- - Similar to a ratcheting wrench
  - Allows user to turn the wrench without having to remove and reapply if there is an obstacle in the way
  - Consists of a modular end where users can apply various sized and shaped sockets

Torque Wrench

- - Similar to a socket wrench
  - Designed to apply a certain amount of torque without overtightening, making it very precise
  - Commonly used in automotive work and bicycles, where the manufacturer specifies a required torque

Impact Wrench

- - Also known as: air wrench, air gun
  - Can be pneumatic and powered by an air compressor, or can be electric and powered by either a chargeable battery or plugged into the wall.
  - Uses a modular socket end

Wrench Sizes

Wrench sizes are based on the size of bolt head the wrench can fit onto. Wrench sizes are in increments of 1/16" and are converted into mm for metric sets. It is generally advised to use a wrench 1/16" larger than the bolt head size.

Full wrench size charts can be found at https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/hand-tools/wrench-sizes-order-smallest-largest/

Socket Sizes

Socket, torque, and impact wrenches all use a modular socket end. There are 5 sizes of modular socket ends, called the drive size; 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1". Each drive size has a range of socket sizes that it can accommodate. For example, a set of 1/4" drive sockets contains sockets ranging from 5/32" to 9/16".

Full socket size charts can be found at https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/hand-tools/socket-sizes-order-smallest-largest/

Rivet Installation Tools [2]

- Used for installing blind rivets

Hand Rivet Gun

- - Also known as: hand rivet squeezer
  - Used by squeezing all the way until rivet mandrel snaps
  - Usually takes a lot of time, so it is very inefficient for large amounts of rivets
  - Stressful on the hands and wrists

Image of a hand rivet gun.

Lever Riveter

- - Also known as: heavy duty lever riveter
  - Stronger and easier to use than hand riveter gun
  - Have a collection bottle for broken mandrels
  - Used by fully opening arms, inserting mandrel into nose piece, aligning rivet and riveter with the hole, squeezing arms together until the mandrel snaps, and holding riveter up and opening arms so the mandrel falls into the collection bottle
  - Higher cost, but can be used on wider range of rivets than hand riveter gun
  - Usually takes a lot of time, so it is only useful for small amounts of rivets

Battery Riveter

- - Also known as: battery riveting tool, battery powered rivet gun
  - Very powerful
  - Less strain on hands and wrists
  - Do not have a cord
  - Some battery riveters can catch broken mandrels in a holder, while others release them from the front

Pneumatic Riveter

- - Also known as: pneumatic rivet gun
  - Uses compressed air to quickly install rivets
  - Have a holder to catch broken mandrels
  - Fastest rivet installation tool
  - Need to be connected to compressed air, so is less portable
  - Useful for quickly installing large amounts of rivets

Rivet Sizes

There are two main factors to consider in selecting a rivet and nose piece: the hole size, and the grip range. Hole size refers to the size of the hole that must be drilled for a particular rivet size. A rivet hole size chart can be found at [3]. Grip range refers to the range of the combined total thickness that the materials that are to be fastened may have, as rivets have a predetermined point where the mandrel breaks. A rivet size chart for selecting the right rivet can be found at [3].

References

[1] Chris, "Hand Tools," Garage Tool Advisor. [Online]. Available: https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/hand-tools/. [Accessed 29 January 2021].

[2] Goebel Fasteners Inc., "Types of Rivet Tools & Which Applications To Use Them," 5 September 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.goebelfasteners.com/types-of-rivet-tools-which-applications-to-use-them/. [Accessed 5 February 2021].

[3] Fastener Mart, "Understanding Blind Rivets,". [Online]. Available: https://www.fastenermart.com/understanding-blind-rivets.html. [Accessed 20 February 2021].

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