Fasteners are used to join two pieces of material together such as wood, metal, plastic and even stone. Fastener usage is an essential part of any DIY project. You can use screws, nails, bolts, pins, rivets or welds to create a permanent joint between two materials.
Fasteners come in many different sizes, shapes and styles. The most common fasteners include screws, nails, brads, staples, and rivets. These are known as “mechanical” fasteners because they make a physical connection by exerting force on two surfaces.
The other category is adhesives which are also referred to as “glue” fasteners. Glues hold two parts together but do not produce a durable mechanical connection.
Mechanical fasteners have been around for more than 5000 years. They can be made from many different metals including steel, bronze, zinc, aluminum and copper. The type of fastener you choose depends on several factors such as cost, strength requirements, availability, weight, surface finish, corrosion resistance, ability to withstand extreme temperatures, ease of installation and others.
In this article, we will discuss the five basic types of online fasteners that you should know about.
Wood Screws
These are the screws that you find in your home improvement projects and garden. Wood screws come in different lengths, widths and thread pitches (the distance between one point and another). Each has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the job. For example, if you need a small screw with a very fine pitch, then it is possible to get one without compromising on the strength required for that application.
Nails
Nails are used extensively in construction work as they provide a strong and durable way of connecting two surfaces. Nails are usually made out of brass, stainless steel or iron. It is important to know how to install them properly so that you don’t damage the surface you are working with. Nails come in many different lengths and thicknesses. A common size nail is one-half inch long and 1/16th thick. Nails are available in standard sizes ranging from 2 inches to 10 inches long. Standard sizes differ according to region.
The most popular types of nails are flathead, slotted head and round head. Flathead nails are best suited for drywall and framing applications whereas slotted head nails are used for wood trim installation. Round heads are mainly used for carpentry.
Bolts
Bolts are often confused with screws. However, bolts are actually larger and stronger than screws. They are commonly used to connect heavy objects together. There are many different types of bolts on the market depending on their length, diameter, material and shape.
There are three basic types of bolt:
Round head – This type of bolt does not have a tip at the end. It is commonly used for attaching things like window frames to a wall.
Flat head – This type of bolt has a flat tip on the end. It is used for mounting doors and windows.
Square head – This type of bolt has four pointed tips on the end. It is used for mounting cabinets and frames.
You would normally use a square head bolt when attaching two pieces of wood together since it is easier to drive into the wood.
Pins
Pins are similar to nails but they are smaller in size. Pins are used mostly in construction works or DIY jobs where space is limited. A common size pin is 3/8 inch long and 1/16th thick. Pins are available in standard sizes ranging from 3/4 inch to 6 inches long.
Rivets
Rivets are used to attach metal pieces to each other. Rivets come in different materials including steel, aluminum and bronze. They are used for creating a strong joint between two surfaces. They are generally used for joining two sheets of sheet metal together.
They are also used in the automotive industry for making car body panels. The main advantage of using rivets over screws and nails is that it doesn’t leave holes behind. Rivets are available in standard sizes ranging from ½ inch to 2 inches long. If you want to learn more about riveting machines, check out our guide here.
Welds
Welds are used to permanently connect two pieces of metal together. Welds are created by heating both pieces until they become soft enough to fuse. The two surfaces must be clean and free of rust and grease before welding them together. Commonly used metals for welding include aluminum, carbon steel, stainless steel and titanium. There are various types of welding techniques such as gas tungsten arc, plasma arc and laser welding.
