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Fastener Identification Chart
At one time or another, all of us (even the pros) misidentify a fastener. Not that the guys at the hardware store don't need a chuckle every now and them. Use this handy chart, courtesy BoltDepot.com, to get the name right the first time!
Fastener Categories |
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Wood Screws
Screws with a smooth shank and tapered point for use in wood. Abbreviated WS |
Machine Screws
Screws with threads for use with a nut or tapped hole. Abbreviated MS |
Sheet Metal Screws
Fully threaded screws with a point for use in sheet metal. Abbreviated SMS |
Self Drilling SMS
A Sheet metal screw with a self drilling point. |
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Hex Bolts
Bolts with a hexagonal head with threads for use with a nut or tapped hole. Abbreviated HHMB or HXBT |
Carriage Bolts
Bolts with a smooth rounded head that has a small square section underneath. |
Lag Bolts
Bolts with a wood thread and pointed tip. Abbreviated Lag |
Set Screws
Machine screws with no head for screwing all the way into threaded holes. |
Head Styles |
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Flat
A countersunk head with a flat top. Abbreviated FH |
Oval
A countersunk head with a rounded top. Abbreviated OH or OV |
Pan
A slightly rounded head with short vertical sides. Abbreviated PN |
Truss
An extra wide head with a rounded top. Abbreviated Truss |
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Round
A domed head. Abbreviated RH |
Hex
A hexagonal Head. Abbreviated HH or HX |
Hex Washer
A hex head with built in washer. |
Slotted Hex Washer
A hex head with built in washer and a slot. |
Drive Types |
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Phillips and Frearson
An X shaped drive. Abbreviated PH |
Slotted
A slot in the head. Abbreviated SL |
Combination
A combination of slotted and Phillips drives. Abbreviated Combo |
Socket or Allen
A hexagonal hole for use with and Allen wrench. |
Nut Types |
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Hex
A six sided nut. Also referred to as a finished hex nut. |
Nylon Insert Lock
A nut with a nylon insert to prevent backing off. Also referred to as a Nylock |
Jam
A hex nut with a reduced height. |
Nylon Insert Jam Lock
A nylock nut with a reduced height. |
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Wing
A nut with 'wings' for hand tightening. |
Cap or Acorn
A nut with a domed top over the end of the fastener. |
Flange
A nut with a built in washer like flange. |
Kep
A nut with a built in external tooth lock washer, used to speed up assembly. |
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Tee
A nut designed to be driven into wood to create a threaded Hole. |
Square
A four sided nut. |
Prevailing torque lock |
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Washer Types |
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Flat
A flat washer used to distribute load. Available in SAE, USS, and other patterns. |
Fender
An oversize flat washer used to further distribute load especially on soft materials. |
Finishing
A washer used to obtain a 'finished' look. Usually used with oval head screws. |
Split Lock
The most common style of washer used to prevent nuts and bolts from backing out. |
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External Tooth Lock
A washer with external 'teeth' Used to prevent nuts and bolts from backing out. |
Internal Tooth Lock
A washer with internal 'teeth' Used to prevent nuts and bolts from backing out. |
Square
A square shaped washer. |
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Our thanks to BoltDepot, your online source for ALL your fastener needs, for sharing this chart with us!