While some fasteners only require general-purpose tools like drills and hammers to ensure they are working properly, some require specialized tools for tightening
threaded fasteners, installing rivets, applying adhesives, and welding. So, it is important to find the right tools for each application.
Threaded fasteners require different types of tools depending on the heads available and the application. The most common tools used include: screwdrivers, spanners,
sockets and keys, and drivers. Additionally, air-powered, ratcheting, or electrical tools are often employed as well.
A number of fasteners, like
bolts and rivets, need holes to be drilled prior to installation. Some drill types include: hand-held drill-drivers, electrical drills, drill presses, milling machines, and orbital drilling machines. Similarly, drills and manual milling machines create holes the same size as a drill bit or electrical cutting tool would.
Alternatively, if a CNC milling machine or orbital drilling machine is used to create a hole, the cutting tool is a smaller diameter than the final hole. The tool makes its way through the material in a spiral path. As a result, the final hole is the sum of the diameter of the cutting tool and the diameter of the spiral path. More than that, this method produces a cleaner, more precise hole.
When it comes to installing rivets, there are several tools that can be used for their application. Solid rivets are one of the most widely used fasteners, especially in the construction of aircraft and large buildings. After the rivets are fitted, hammers and anvils are used to form their heads. In order to achieve this, there must be access to both sides of the hole—the anvil on one end of the rivet and the hammer hitting the other end.
Originally, hand hammers were the primary tool of use, but they have recently been replaced by hand-held air hammers or automated drilling and riveting machines, which use hydraulic or electromagnetic presses.
Different from solid rivets,
blind rivets are installed from one side. This is done by pulling the integral mandrel back through its axis using a special riveter. Moreover, manual tools are categorized into plier type riveters, which are usually compact and cost-effective. In addition, there are lazy tong rivet tools, which can insert rivets that require great force.
Adhesives are both a fastener and a tool used for installation. A common adhesive used in industrial applications is caulk guns, which are often supplied in containers. Similarly, glue guns are commonly used to bond or join things together.
Lastly, welding may be performed to secure two elements together. Welding can be achieved using a gas torch, electric arc, ultrasound, or high-energy beam. With regard to fastening, different forms of arc welding are used such as spot welding, MIG welding, and TIG welding.
