Types of fastenersExplaining 10 different types of fasteners and their uses.

Fasteners are everywhere. From our smartphone to Sydney harbour bride, everything around us is held together with fasteners and fixings. From rivets, nuts, bolts and screws to paper clip, split clip and nail are all considered to be fasteners.

Interesting facts about fasteners

Did you know, a Boeing 747 -400 has six million parts, half of which are fasteners. That is 3 million different types of nuts and bolts, rivets and screws.

World’s Biggest Bolt & NutDid you know, the biggest bolts ever made were enormous - 27' 4" long (8.3m), 4' 2"

diameter (1.27m), weighing 12.6 tons.

There are 18,038 iron parts and more than 2,500,000 fasteners

(rivets) used to hold the Eiffel tower together.

#1 – Wood Screws

In this list, the first type of fastener is the wood screw. These screws generally have a very smooth shank and tapered point for use in wood. You

can find various types within the wooden fasteners’ category.

#2 – Machine Screws

Machine screws often referred to as stove bolt is a machine threaded screw for use with nut or in a tapped hole. Normally used to join sheet metal parts

using a hex or square nut.

#3 – Sheet Metal Screws

Unlike the wood screws, the sheet metal screw’s sharp threads not only cut into wood but other materials such as sheet metal, plastic and more.

Most commonly used to attach metal hardware to wood. The shank of the sheet metal screw is usually threaded up to the head.

#4 – Self Drilling Sheet Metal Screws

Type of sheet metal screws, the difference is its ability to self-drill helping tradesman with speed and ease of

installation. These types of fasteners provide maximum thread engagement in structural steel and timber

constructions.

#5 Hex Bolts

Abbreviated HHMB or HXBT, Hex Bolt is a type of fastener with a hexagonal head with threads for use with a nut or tapped hole. Feature that make Hex bolts a choice of handyman, construction and engineering professionals is

washer surface that helps creating a better seal.

#6 – Carriage Bolts

Carriage bolts are generally/mainly used for fixing wooden panels to masonry or to one another. Also known as coach bolt or round head square

neck bolt. The carriage bolts features a smooth mushroom rounded head with a small square section underneath.

#7 – Lag Bolts

Lag bolts or lag screws are a larger and tougher version of wood screws. These bolts feature a hexagonal head and are considered one of the

toughest fasteners. Lag bolts are generally used to connect heavy lumber or other heavy materials that are bearing an intense load.

#8 – Flange Bolts

Flange bolts are one of the few fasteners with a built-in washer. Specially designed to provide same holding power as #washer, this bolt’s flange head distributes the clamping load over a greater area. Flange bolts are machine

thread for use with a nut and are also known as frame bolts. These #bolts are generally used in the assembly line by #automotive industry.

#9 – Socket Screws

A socket screw also known as Allen head screw is the best solution when space is at premium. These specialised fasteners features a cylindrical head and hexagonal drive hole. To tighten and remove, you’d require a

hexagonal wrench more commonly known as Allen wrench. Most commonly used in building of machines, high-performance applications and aircraft.

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