Fastener Types
Fasteners come in many different forms. To make it easy for you, we’ve compiled the data below as a guide for figuring out what each fastener is called.
Carriage Bolt
Also known as a “bumper” bolt, has a domed head. The square section under the head grips into the part being fastened preventing the bolt from turning when the nut is tightened.
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Hex Cap Screw
Hex tap bolts, hex cap screws, trim head hex cap screws, and hex flange bolts fall under this category. They share a hexagonal head and are driven with a wrench. Referred to as both bolts and screws.
Machine Screw
A machine screw is a screw or bolt with a flat point. Available in a variety of drive types and heads, they fit a wide variety of applications. Often driven into tapped holes. Used with nuts, also known as stove bolts.
Socket Screw
Socket cap screws are available in button socket, flat socket, and socket cap. Driven with a socket wrench or a hex Allen key. Ideal for applications where there is not enough room to manoeuvre wrenches.
Elevator Bolt
Elevator bolts are designed hold together canvas belts used in conveyer systems. The large head diameter creates a greater bearing surface to keep the bolt from going through the conveyor material.
Plow Bolt
Plow bolts feature a countersunk, flat head and square neck. They are commonly used in road graders, scoop shovels, and other heavy-duty industrial equipment where a flat, smooth surface is required.
Square Head
Socket cap screws are available in button socket, flat socket, and socket cap. Driven with a socket wrench or a hex Allen key. Ideal for applications where there is not enough room to manoeuvre wrenches.
Machine Bolt
Similar to hex cap screws but with a 4-sided head. This head style allows for a wrench to grip more easily onto the head of the bolt. It also provides a larger gripping area as compared to a standard 6-sided hex head.
Lag Screw
Lag screws, also called lag bolts, are large wood screws. The head is external hex and are driven with a wrench. Used for lag together lumber for framing, machinery to wood floors, and other heavy duty applications.
Drywall Screw
Hex tap bolts, hex cap screws, trim head hex cap screws, and hex flange bolts fall under this category. They share a hexagonal head and are driven with a wrench. Referred to as both bolts and screws.
Flexboard Screw
A machine screw is a screw or bolt with a flat point. Available in a variety of drive types and heads, they fit a wide variety of applications. Often driven into tapped holes. Used with nuts, also known as stove bolts.
Tek Screw
Socket cap screws are available in button socket, flat socket, and socket cap. Driven with a socket wrench or a hex Allen key. Ideal for applications where there is not enough room to manoeuvre wrenches.
Wood Screw
Wood screws are partially threaded with large cutting threads and a smooth shank. They are designed to slide through the top piece of wood and tightly pull all boards together.
Tapping Screw
Self tapping screws (STS) have sharp cutting threads that cut into sheet metal, plastic or wood. They have a fully threaded shank and sometimes have a notched point at the tip to aid in chip removal during thread cutting.
Drilling Screw
Self drilling screws (SDS) have a sheet metal thread with a self-driller cutting (Tek) point to pierce through 20 to 14 gauge metals.
Accessories: Nuts and Washers
Cap Nut
The cap nut gets its name from its shape. The nut has a domed top to prevent contact with the external thread.
Castle Nut
Castle or slotted nut is a nut with slots cut into the top. Used in low-torque applications such as holding a wheel bearing in place.
Flange Nut
A flange nut is a nut that has a wide flange at one end which acts as an integrated washer that does not move or spin.
Hex Nut
Hex nuts are used for fastening to a bolt or stud. Hex nuts have six sides with internal threads and driven with a wrench.
Long Nut
A long nut is a threaded fastener used for joining two male threads. The outside of the fastener is a hex so it can be driven with a wrench.
Nylon Lock Nut
A nylon insert lock nut is hex shaped, internally threaded with a nylon insert. The nylon material prevents the nut loosening from vibration
Tee Nut
A tee nut is used to fasten wood or composite board leaving a flush surface. It has 4 prongs that sink into the surface providing better retention.
Wing Nut
Wing nuts are threaded nuts with wings on each side of the body allowing for manual turning and installation.
Cage Nut
A cage nut has wings that when compressed allow the cage to be inserted into the square holes of mounting rails of equipment racks.
Flat Washer
Flat washers or Plain Washers are used to increase the surface area in order to evenly distribute the force applied with tightening the fastener.
Spring Washer
Spring washers or lock washer are used as a means of creating tension during tightening in order to help keep the nut from loosening.
Cone Washer
A conical washer used to retain the stud in front of the axle flange.
Anchor Bolts
Lag screws, also called lag bolts, are large wood screws. The head is external hex and are driven with a wrench. Used for lag together lumber for framing, machinery to wood floors, and other heavy duty applications.
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Dyna Bolts
Dyna Bolt consist of a threaded stud with an outwardly flared cone-shaped end, with a nut and a washer on the end. Tightening of the nut pulls the stud end into the expander sleeve, wedging it outwards and locking the anchor into the base material.
Drop-in Anchors
Internally threaded anchors that are commonly installed overhead and flush with the surface of the concrete. These anchors are commonly used to create handrails, lighting fixtures and many other fixtures. They require a setting tool for installation.
Lag Shields
Lag shields are used to hold lag screws. They expand outwards as lag screws are driven into them. This expansion presses against the surface creating a tight, secure hold.
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Wedge Anchors
Wedge anchors are used to anchor and secure material and equipment to solid concrete masonry surfaces. Used to fasten concrete to equipment, materials, generators, motors, pumps, pipe, strut, plastics and wood.
Strike Anchors
A hammer is driven into the exposed head of the drive pin. This expands the base inside of the masonry material creating a hold.
Cut Anchors
Self drilling screws (SDS) have a sheet metal thread with a self-driller cutting (Tek) point to pierce through 20 to 14 gauge metals.
Wall Plugs
Self drilling screws (SDS) have a sheet metal thread with a self-driller cutting (Tek) point to pierce through 20 to 14 gauge metals.
Rivets
Blind Rivet
Blind rivets are mainly used in applications where there is no access to the rear (blind side) of the joint.
Solid Rivet
Solid rivets consist simply of a shaft and head which are deformed with a hammer or rivet gun.
Tubular Rivet
Tubular rivets or brake lining rivets are used to secure brake shoe linings on cars, trucks, and other vehicles.
U Bolt
A U bolt is a bolt in the shape of the letter U with threads on both ends. It is primarily used to support stationary pipework.
Threaded Rod
A threaded rod is a fastener with no head. Is commonly used for suspending electrical or plumbing equipment from a ceiling.
Wire Eye Bolt
An eye bolt is a bolt with a loop at one end. They are used to firmly attach a securing eye to a structure, so that cables may then be tied to it.
Turnbuckle
A device for adjusting the tension or length of ropes, cables, tie rods, and other tensioning systems.
Cable Clip
A cable clip, also called wire rope clip, is used to fix the loose end of the loop back to the wire rope. It consists of a U-shaped bolt, a forged or cast saddle and two nuts. The two layers of wire rope are placed in the U bolt.
Loop Hanger
A loop hanger is a pipe attachment, that loops around a pipe in order to support it. Recommended for the suspension of non-insulated, stationary pipe lines. Ideal for fire sprinkler applications.
Clevis Hanger
A clevis hanger is a pipe attachment providing vertical adjustment, consisting of a clevis type top bolted to a formed steel bottom strap. They are recommended for the suspension of non-insulated, stationary pipe lines.
