We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Machinery

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Swivel Head?

By Lori Kilchermann
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 7,977
Share

A swivel head is a device that is attached to different tools to allow them to reach into tight spaces. The swivel head also helps to align a socket wrench when the bolt is off-set or behind a piece of the machinery. Some devices such as a flashlight when equipped with a swivel head becomes more useful in tight areas due to the swivel head allowing the device to be more accurately aimed at the problem spot and giving another perspective to the object in question.

When working on a piece of machinery from underneath, a swivel head often allows the worker to reach nuts and bolts with a ratchet and extension that are located at hard-to-reach angles. By placing a swivel head on the end of the extension and attaching a socket wrench to the swivel, the worker is able to reach bolts that are not able to be reached with a straight-forward approach. By coming in at an angle, the swivel acts like a universal joint and allows the nut to be turned straight out while the ratchet is turned at a steep angle.

When riveting sheet metal, it is possible to encounter areas where the rivet gun cannot be squeezed due to space restrictions. Areas such as inside turns and bends present difficulty in lining up the rivet tool so that it can be manipulated and squeezed properly to set the rivet. Using a swivel head rivet tool, the head can be turned so that it pulls squarely on the rivet while the handles are positioned at an angle where they can be easily squeezed. This allows the riveter to place the rivets at the correct intervals while maintaining proper squeeze, straight lines of rivets and pleasant aesthetics with the finished product.

When cutting sheet metal and aluminum, sharp pieces of metal often curl up around the edge of the shears. These sharp trimmings are dangerous to the person cutting the material as well as obtrusive into the line of sight of the cut. By utilizing a pair of swivel head tin shears, the trimmings can be directed away from the operator's hands. This results in fewer injuries to the operator as well as a more precise cut by leaving the marked cutting lines unobstructed and clearly visible to the operator. Maintaining a swivel head requires little more than blowing any dirt and debris out of the swivel mechanism and placing a few drops of light oil into the swivel mechanism after use.

Share
About Mechanics is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.aboutmechanics.com/what-is-a-swivel-head.htm
Copy this link
About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

About Mechanics, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.