Common fastener types
There are many types of fasteners used in the construction of buildings and the manufacturing of products. In this article, we will discuss the 7 most common fasteners you will run into, whether you are building or tearing apart something. It is ideal you understand what type of fasteners you are working with and what application is a fastener most suitable for.
Hex bolts
Hex bolts get their name from the 6 sided shape on the head of the bolt. These bolts are commonly used in construction and machinery. They can be threaded all the way along the shaft or partially threaded. They can also be used with a nut of the same thread. Hex bolts come in different grades and classes, you can read more here.
Carriage bolts
Carriage bolts have a domed head and a square section underneath. These bolts are great for situations where removal of the bolt is needed on one side. When the square section is placed in a square hole of the material being installed, it will hold the bolt while fastened with a nut on the other side.
Wood Screws
Wood screws are commonly used on materials made of wood. They have large threads when compared to other types of screws. They are great for pulling two types of material together.
Lag Bolts
Lag bolts also commonly named lag screws are used in wooden construction such as decks. They can carry a higher load than a typical wood screw since their shear strength is higher. Lag screws require a pilot hole before installation, this is due to their larger diameter when compared to typical wood screws. They can have a diameter from a range of 4mm to 20mm.
Sheet Metal Screws
Sheet Metal Screws look somewhat similar to wood screws but they are different. A Sheet Metal Screw has a fully threaded shank and a very sharp point. This sharp point is designed to be driven directly into sheet metal. You can also use these screws on other soft materials. If you are in a pinch you can use these screws to replace a wooden screw, but you cannot use a wooden screw to replace a sheet metal screw.
Machine Screws
Machine Screws are fully threaded, they are often manufactured in smaller sizes. They are used with nuts and tapped holes as well.
Set Screws
Set Screws, also known as grub screws are usually headless and are driven into a threaded hole. A common application for a set screw is to hold a fixed part to a rotating shaft. An example of this would be a rigid set screw shaft coupling. It would take two shafts and each set screw would be driven against a shaft to keep the shaft rotating equally.
