If you are new to nuts and bolts, you may be somewhat confused by all the different varieties and sizes that are out there. But don't worry! Nuts and bolts are important components used to assemble and repair a wide range of objects. They are the primary means of keeping things in place, and keeping parts together. Knowing the is important to help you select the right nuts and bolts for your work. It also will keep everything tight and secure over time — and that’s supercritical for safety.
There are a variety of materials that nuts and bolts can be made with and each type has its own unique characteristics. Common materials include steel, titanium, brass, aluminum, etc. Let us break these materials down a little. Basically, the most common you will get are steel nuts and bolts. They are popular due to their strength and affordable price. This gives them versatility for various projects.
Titanium nuts and bolts are very light and very strong, however. This makes them ideal for specialty applications such as in aircraft or military hardware, where every ounce matters. Brass nuts and bolts are unique in that they never rust, that's why we see them commonly in wet environments, i.e. on boats. Aluminum nuts and bolts is the last item on our list. These are also not the lightest but if you compare the strength of metal nuts and bolts, they are not as good. But they're very handy if weight matters in a particular situation.
You will encounter various varieties of such bolts while working on your project. Hex bolts, carriage bolts, and eye bolts are some of the most common types. Hex bolts are unique in that they are a 6 sided head. This form also allows them to be easily tightened with a wrench. They come in lots of different lengths and sizes, so find the size that works for your project.
Next, we have carriage bolts. These bolts have round-head and square section just under the head. That design helps them dig into place when you use them in wood.” For example, carriage bolts are common for use in wooden structures, such as fences or furniture. Finally, eye bolts are very neat! At the top is a round hole that resembles an eye. As a special kind of shape, it is perfect for tying ropes and cables together, hence, makes it very useful in various situations.
These studs are perfect for applications that require high strength and toughness such as heavy machinery. They can hold other things together so that they all function properly. Lock nuts and bolts take up space, so this is another good reason to use threaded studs in cramped areas. That makes them a big favorite among builders and engineers.
The next type of bolt you need to learn about is a tapered bolt. So they are in the shape of a cone. This shape is beneficial especially for soft or fragile materials. Tapered bolts distribute the weight over a larger area and as such can avoid causing damage. As a result, they are also commonly used for woodworking projects in which protecting the wood from splitting is critical.
