No matter the project, it’s important to know all about bolts, nuts, and washers, so you choose the right fastener. Fasteners, Inc. in Denver can help you determine what length, gauge, shape, strength, and material that you will need for your project.
Bolts
Bolts go through a pre-drilled hole in two or more materials. Bolts are made for a variety of purposes and may also need a nut or washer. Here is an explanation of the types of bolts.
- Standard Bolt: The standard bolt uses a hexagonal head. Used in metal, wood, and plastic applications, it will have a smooth shoulder right under the head and before the thread if it is a long bolt. With shorter standard bolts they may be fully threaded. This kind of bolt goes through a drilled hole and uses a nut on the other side.
- Coach or Carriage Bolt: With a domed head, a coach or carriage bolt has a square section underneath the head that is intended to hold the bolt once it is in the wood. Sometimes two bolts are used to prevent a beam from swiveling.
- Tap Bolt: This kind of bolt is completely threaded. It is used in a threaded or tapped hole and does not need a nut.
Nuts
A bolt is a type of fastener that often needs a nut that is tightened on the end and helps fasten several materials together. Here are the types of nuts.
- Cap Nut or Acorn Nut: These nuts have domed shapes. The acorn nut’s dome is higher and more pointed than the cap nut. The bolt needs to be the exact length of the material and the nut since the bolt thread doesn’t pass through the nut.
- Nylon Insert Nuts: This type of nut makes a thread as it’s screwed onto the bolt. This helps prevent the nut from slipping or backing out from the bolt. A nylon insert jam lock nut is a shorter version of this type of nut.
- Flange Nut: This kind of nut has a washer that is built in which allows it to be assembled faster. Some of these have toothed washers.
- Wing Nut: The wings on this type of nut allow it to be tightened by hand.
- Hexagonal and Square Nuts: These nuts are used to fit standard bolts.
Washers
Often the fastener will need a washer between the nut and the bolt to distribute the load. Sometimes washers are used between the bolt head and the material without a nut.
Washers reduce the wear on the hole and stop the inward pressure on softer materials. In addition, the washer can stop the bolt from coming undone. These are the types of washers.
- Split Lock Washers stop the bolt from backing out.
- Flat Washers are flat and help distribute the load.
- Fender Washers are a flat washer with a bigger diameter.
- Tooth Lock Washers are used to prevent the bolt or nut from backing out.
- Finishing Washers are used for appearance and fits neatly with the nut or bolt.
Learning all about bolts, nuts, and washers and choosing the right fastener for your project is not as hard as it may seem. Our team of fastener experts at Fasteners, Inc. in Denver can assist you in picking the fasteners you might need, including bolts, nuts, and washers.
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