From screwdrivers to cordless drills, the technology for driving fasteners into their slots has advanced significantly. Automatic machines have made it simpler to do fastening activities in today's contemporary day without experiencing significant confusion. However, accurately driving the screws into their holes demands experience and ability on the part of the operator.
What are the things to consider for preventing fastener overdriving?
1. Drill pilot holes
Pilot holes are simply holes drilled into the material to provide a slot for fasteners to be driven through. These tiny diameter holes prevent fasteners from being overdriven or snapping in half. This significantly reduces shear capacity reduction.
2. Determine the proper driver’s slip clutch setting
Slip clutches are adjustable collars that are used to regulate the torque applied to the bolt's head while driving it. It is critical to adjust the slip clutch setting to match the amount of torque necessary to drive the fastener.
3. Go for self-centring bits
When drilling holes for fastener driving, it might become challenging for a person to drill a slot with millimetre accuracy. Bear in mind that if the slot is not drilled correctly and the hole is misaligned from the centre, the fastener may be driven in the incorrect direction. To avoid this, it is strongly recommended to use self-centring bits, which provide higher accuracy while drilling slots. As a result, it aids in preventing overdriving and maintaining shear capacity.
4. Keep practicing
It is hard to achieve perfection on the first attempt. You will have to keep practicing the process of driving a fastener. Only after repeating the process for quite a number of times will you master the skill and be able to drive bolts without overdriving them.