Knowing the Nuts and Bolts About Nuts and Bolts
When it comes to DIY and home maintenance, knowing your nuts and bolts is going to save you time, money, and a whole lot of hassle at the end of the day. That is why coming to grips with the nuts and bolts about bolts and nuts is an important part of getting your toolbox and home renovation goodies in order.
In this article, we are going to take you through some of the basic nuts and bolts that are used around the home and workshop, explaining what they are and what they are used for so that you can make the best choice when the time comes to get down to business.
Bolts and their counterparts, nuts, and washers, have the main purpose of fastening and holding things in place, similar to the function of screws. Moreover, they can be used with great effectiveness to build, construct, and hold things in place.
Types of Bolts
If there were few, there would be no need to explain and describe what they are and what their different functions are. That being said, nuts, bolts, screws, and other fasteners are a fascinating subject that goes deep and wide… So let’s get into it.
Bolts are fasteners that are used with nuts to attain the firm fasten that is required by them, and they are often used in conjunction with washer(s) that help to fill unwanted gaps or for a tighter fit.
Bolts are produced in a wide variety of sizes, and as a rule of thumb, the diameter of a bolt increases with its relative length. The size of a bolt is taken from the diameter of the threaded part of the bolt, called the Shank, and its length.
Fully Threaded and Partially Threaded Bolts
Bolts that have the entire length of their shaft threaded are known as fully threaded bolts, such as fully threaded M14 bolts, while partially threaded bolts have an area that is unthreaded (smooth). This is usually apparent in the area just below the head of the bolt.
The unthreaded part of the bolt is known as the grip length, and partially unthreaded bolts allow for extra strength against certain movements, depending on what the bolt is used for. This area of the bolt has better strength and resistance than its threaded counterpart.
When to Use What?
For the most part, fully threaded bolts are used in the automotive industry, with holes that have been specifically designed to accommodate these types of bolts. Fully threaded bolts allow for greater pressure to be applied across the entire length of the bolt and allow for tighter fastening by way of increased grip strength.
Partially threaded bolts are used mainly in appliances, highlighting the innate and better strength that they possess. They are often used in conjunction with washers and nuts and are typically used in bolt-through appliances.
Choosing the right nuts and bolts for the job at hand is an important part of the success or failure of any fastening job, and getting to grips with these simple differences is going to make a world of difference.
