Types of Bolts & Their Uses

Bolts are used in just about any industry you can think of. They are starting from the automobile to the novelty industry. Any and every factory setting will need bolts to function.

They are primarily used in the manufacturing industry, construction industry, carpentry, woodworking, you name it. Even some kitchen appliances use bolts. This speaks to how vital these components are because they hold items together. There is a wide range of bolts available with different designs and applications. So, let us take a look at some of the types of bolts.

Hex Bolts

Hex bolts or machine bolts have a hexagonal head and tiny threads. These Bolts are commonly used for fastening materials. The hexagonal head makes them easy to grip by hand or tool. So you can tighten them and loosen them with your hands without a tool. But of course, you would need a specific tool to tighten them safely. Hex Bolts are large, versatile, and rugged, widely used in construction.

Carriage Bolts

Carriage Bolts are perfect for fastening metal with wood. They have a smooth, rounded head that resembles a mushroom, a small square underneath the head, and a smooth shank with threads at the end.

Carriage Bolts are versatile, strong, and corrosion-resistant. Subsequently, they are commonly used with washers and nuts to fasten two materials together.

They are easy to use, particularly when attaching wood to wood. Their smooth, mushroom-like head makes them visually attractive and offers some safety level when constructing wooden decks, furniture, fences, and anything else.

Plow Bolts

Plow bolts share aesthetic similarities with carriage bolts. However, their functionality differs. Plow bolts are primarily used in road construction for durability and endurance. They are heavy-duty bolts; like other bolts, they come in different sizes.

Lag Bolts

Lag bolts, also referred to as lag screws, have a hexagonal head and a partially threaded shank.

They came in varying sizes, and compared to other bolts, they are much more significant. Lag bolts are tough and sturdy. Lag Bolts can withstand immense pressure. Hence, these bolts are used in heavy-duty constructions like bridges, skyscrapers, etc.

Eye Bolts

Eye bolts are the most common variation of bolts. These bolts are rounded in nature and come with partially threaded shanks. This helps the bolt to stay secured. These bolts are also known as screws due to their thread. These types of bolts are often used to fasten ropes, cables, etc.

U Bolts

U bolts are U-shaped with threaded legs, so to speak, extended from the curved base. These bolts are great for fastening pipes, beam poles, or walls due to their shape. In some cases, these bolts are even used to anchor pipes, roofs, and foundations.

Elevator Bolts

Elevator bolts have a flat head, a square neck, and a threaded shank underneath the head. The structure of these bolts is unique, and therefore, they serve a unique purpose.

Elevator Bolts are typically used in conveyor systems and furniture construction. These bolts are ideal for fastening materials. However, they are also used to level the legs of furniture. As a result, elevator bolts are extensively used in the furniture industry.

The best part about these types of bolts is the way they can elevate and add a sense of symmetry to the whole thing.

Sex Bolts

Sex Bolts or Chicago Bolts are often referred to as Barrel nuts. These bolts are generally used to fasten more than one bolt together. In some cases, it is used to fasten nuts and screws. Unlike other bolts, sex bolts are known by many names.

Sex bolts are shaped like barrels and have threads on the inside. This allows different fasteners to connect. These bolts are versatile and can be used for bookbinding, knife making, furniture building, railing systems, etc.

The best part about these bolts is their structure and weight-handling capabilities. Surprisingly enough, these bolts can take a lot of weight. Therefore, you can easily use these bolts in different places.

Anchor Bolts

These bolts are unique as they are used to join components on concrete surfaces. As a result, these bolts are found in steel poles. They are also used to construct facade systems to reinforce concrete walls.

Anchor bolts usually come in two different formats. These formats are known as cast-in-place and drilled-in-place anchor bolts. The former variant is used in combination with wet cement. Meanwhile, the latter is simply drilled into a concrete structure.

Both variants serve specific purposes and are usually meant to create anchor points in concrete structures. Therefore, these are known to be quite versatile.

Arbor Bolts

Arbor Bolts are a reasonably new addition to the family. However, these bolts are very popular and can help you secure materials better. 

The threads around arbor bolts come with a sinker design. This allows the bolt to stay secured and in one place for an extended period.

Arbor bolts already come with a pre-attached washer at the top of its head. This makes these bolts more convenient and easy to use. Arbor Bolts are great, but they lack weight-bearing capabilities. 

As a result, these bolts are primarily used in home improvement projects. These bolts are not considered to be fasteners due to their structure and functionality. They are mainly used in electronic devices. 

Blind Bolts

Blind Bolts are specially created bolts usually used when hex bolts and other rivets cannot be used. This bolt is often used when there is a general restriction of access.

These bolts are the most unique type as they only allow one-sided access. The shaft has a pin that stops the bolt from traveling through. 

The head of these bolts contains a series of teeth interlocked to create threads. These bolts are great. However, they can only be used in specific contexts. Hence, these bolts are only suitable for some situations.

Honorable Mentions

Even though we have covered most aspects regarding bolts, we think that we are far from being done. Therefore, this bonus section would look at some more bolts and nuts so that you know them better.

Flange Bolts: These bolts are very old and have been in circulation for a long time. These bolts have a flange at the base of their head that works like a washer and evenly distributes the weight.

Square Head Bolts. These Bolts are perfect for those hard-to-reach spaces where fastening is important but the visibility is low. There, these bolts are also known as the ‘Blind Man’s Bolt”.

T-Head Bolts: These are usually used to link objects on surfaces like rooftops, flush heads, etc.

The Final Thought

In summation, these were some of the most popular types of bolts and what they are used for. The industry is shifting very soon. Therefore, these bolts might be replaced, and newer kinds would take their place. Until then, these are some of the industry’s most popular types of bolts.

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