Maybe you’ve always wondered what the difference between a clavo and a square head socket was. It’s possible that you’re unfamiliar with these terminologies and have no idea what they mean or how to use them in a given situation. If this describes you, you’ve come to the right place. This guide will teach you all about square head sockets, clavos, and even how to use them in your home or business projects. Now, then, shall we begin?
Turning bolts with square heads requires a special tool called a square head socket. The square head socket has four sides that are rounded out so they can easily turn the bolt in any direction. You can also use it with a ratchet wrench or breaker bar to loosen stubborn fasteners. A clavo is the Spanish word for nail and is often shaped like a long, thin screwdriver. Clavos are nails with square heads as opposed to round ones. You can use them instead of screws when you need your creation to be less flimsy. The clavo’s square shape creates an even surface on the board it is being nailed into. You can also use these to secure wood planks together. When using clavos, there should be no space left between the pieces being nailed together.
Square head sockets are used in a variety of situations, but they’re not interchangeable with other types of sockets. A square head socket is the best option when you need to tighten or loosen a fastener that’s located on a flat surface. If you need to tighten an ancient nut or bolt that doesn’t have a square hole, use a clavo with a square head socket. Square head sockets are much less likely to slip off the bolt or break than other types of sockets, because they grip all around the bolt. When using clavos, it’s important not to hammer them too hard, or they will bend. If this happens, the nail might have a hard time penetrating.
When hammered into wood, clavos tend to fracture the surface instead of sliding in smoothly like other nails. In order to prevent this from happening, there is a technique called kicking that one can do before hammering in a clavo: use your foot to gently push the point of the nail into the surface so that when you hammer it down, you’ll have a better chance at avoiding splitting. Round-head screws are ideal for use with thinner materials, such as hardwood boards, as they can be pushed in deeper without needing to be spun as often.
I recommend the following to keep your square head socket in great shape: When the socket becomes dirty and greasy, simply rinse it with hot water. Oil the socket’s inner surface to keep it from rusting. Take care not to hit the corners of the socket against hard surfaces, as this can damage it.