Maybe you’ve always wondered what the difference between a clavo and a square head socket was. Maybe you’ve just never heard of those terms before and aren’t sure what they are or how to use them. If this sounds like you, don’t worry-you’re in the right place! This book will teach you everything you need to know about square head sockets and clavos, as well as how to use them in various construction and repair tasks. Now, then, shall we begin?
Turning bolts with square heads requires a special tool called a square head socket. Each of the square head socket’s four corners has been rounded off to allow for rotation in any direction. It is also used with a ratchet wrench or breaker bar to loosen tight bolts or nuts. The Spanish name for nail is “clavo,” and typical clavos resemble long, thin screwdrivers. Clavos are nails with square heads rather than round heads. When your creation needs to be less flimsy, you can use them instead of screws. In order to achieve a flat surface on the board, the clavo is square in shape. These are also perfect for nailing boards together. Any gaps between the parts being joined must be filled before using clavos.
Although square head sockets have many applications, they cannot be used in place of round or other types of connections. 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 can have a hard time penetrating.
When hammered into wood, clavos tend to fracture the surface instead of sliding in smoothly like other nails. Before driving in a clavo, you can give yourself a fighting chance of preventing splits by employing a method called kicking. This is gently pushing the point of the nail into the surface with your foot. Round-head screws are preferable for use with thinner materials, such as hardwood boards, as they can be driven in further without needing to be rotated 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. To keep the socket from rusting, oil its inner surface. Take care not to hit the corners of the socket against hard surfaces, as this can damage it.