If you're looking for a fastener that provides a strong, load-bearing bond in almost any material, you've probably heard of the rivet nut. Also known as rivets, rivnuts, or nutserts, this type of threaded fastener is available in many different sizes and designs, each developed for specific types of materials and applications.

Generally, they're installed by first drilling a hole that's slightly bigger than the rivet nut itself, then inserting it into a mandrel on a hand rivnut tool. Then, you close the handle of the tool to force the mandrel down into the nut. Once the nut is securely in place, you remove the tool and the mandrel.

There are several kinds of hand rivnut tools, each designed for certain types of materials and applications. They come in either hand or powered versions, with a choice of either a catch or no catch option to help you install the rivnuts faster. Battery powered tools offer a power installation without the need for cords, while pneumatic rivet guns are air-powered and one of the fastest methods for installing rivnuts.

Before you begin using your new rivnut tool, be sure to prepare the pilot hole by using a drill bit designed for the material and application. Be careful not to apply too much pressure when drilling the pilot holes, as too much force can cause the nut to snap and ruin the fastener's threaded design. Once you're ready to use the tool, just open it up and squeeze the handles together to install your rivet nut.