Nails are a simple metal fastener with a sharp point at one end and a rounded typically flat head at the other end. Nails are used to join materials together (most commonly wood) and are driven into the material with a hammer or powered nail gun. Nail guns can be found in either electric or pneumatic form in a range of sizes.

Nails are most common use is in carpentry, however other types of nails or tacks are used in construction, roofing, upholstery, and carpeting and can be found with different shank styles including a ribbed side known as ring shank.

Types of Nails

Nails are available in different styles with various shank lengths and diameters, as well as in a range of materials and finishes such as galvanised Zinc plated or bright zinc plate finishes.

Rivets

Rivets are used for holding together two separate materials, most commonly metal however they can be used with plastic and wood in a range of ways. Our range of quality rivets from many well-known brands including Richco, POP Rivets and our own brand RS Pro provide the perfect tool for almost any application.

How do rivets work?

Rivets are metal tubes consisting of a forged head and a cylindrical body. A smooth shaft passes through the two materials and a compressing force is applied to the ends of the rivet flattening and clamping the two materials. The flattening action exerts pressure, which spreads across the joint increasing the friction between the joints making them less likely to move.

Types of rivets

• Blind - tubular and supplied with a mandrel through the centre
• Snap - pre-assembled for simply pushing into required holes
• Tubular - available with a variety of different heads
• Threaded insert and rivet nut - for permanent threading in fragile sheet materials
• Solid - consisting of a shaft and head that are deformed with a hammer or rivet gun

Why choose a rivet over a screw or a bolt?

Rivets form a joint that is stronger and tighter than would be formed by a screw of the same diameter. The shaft of a rivet is smooth and therefore it is better at resisting side-to-side motion (shear motion) than a screw or bolt of the same diameter. A rivet will also connect fully when passing through a piece of metal, whereas the screw will connect with less than half of the metal.