Washer Fasteners
Think of
fasteners as the connector couple. They work together as a team to hold objects together. A fastener is the device that joins the objects. Its buddy, the washer, is a thin plate with a hole, used to evenly distribute the weight of the fastener.
Nuts and Bolts of Fasteners
There is so much more to learn than just nuts and bolts in the world of hardware fasteners, but let's begin there:
* A
bolt is characterized by threads wrapped around a cylinder, and holds objects together.
* A
nut is a type of fastener with a threaded hole that mates with the bolt.
*
wood screw has an unthreaded shank below the head and is designed specifically for use with wood.
* The
sheet metal screw has a threaded shank up to the head, and its sharper threads actually cut into the material as it's twisted.
* The
concrete screw, easily recognizable by its blue color, is a stainless or carbon steel screw used to fasten objects into concrete and masonry.
* A
drywall screw has a bugle head that is designed to attach drywall to studs.
*
Deck screws are designed for installation of decking materials.
*
Double ended screws have two pointed ends to create hidden joints between two pieces of wood.
* An
anchor bolt, has a threaded end to attach a nut and washer, and is used to mount objects to concrete.
* The end of a
wedge anchor expands as it is screwed into the concrete, creating a wedge.
*
Torque nuts uses locking mechanisms to keep bolts from spinning.
Washers 101
Although most commonly used to distribute load of a threaded fastener, washers also can function to prevent fluid leakage, reduce vibration, or prevent corrosion.
* Washers commonly come in rubber,
aluminum.
*
Rubber washers are used in mechanical devices to limit vibrations from spreading from moving parts to steady parts.
*
Gaskets seal spaces between two mating surfaces to prevent leakage.
*
wall washers, are large plates that affix objects to walls, and are also used for structural reinforcement.
*
star washers contain mechanisms that keep them from slipping during vibration.
* The
Wedge Anchors
*
Wing Nuts
*
Hardware Brackets
*
Plumbing Equipment and Materials Pipes and Fittings
*
Hanson
