Fixings 101: screws, bolts, nails and nuts
Even though fixings aren’t the most elegant of things, they are extremely important to our day-to-day. Fixings are everywhere, being an integral part of the foundation of most structures and/or furniture. Desks, chairs, doors, cars, buildings… you name it. No matter the type of structure, it will most likely have screws, nails, bolts and nuts.
To give these little details some big attention, I’ve decided to dedicate an article talking about the ins and outs of fixings and fasteners. The best part about this article is that I’m not alone! Today, I’ve decided to speak to the experts and get some professional insight into these small details that make up 99% (not an accurate figure, just me saying it) of our life.
Who are the experts?
I spoke to Speedy Fixings, UK-based supplier to civil engineering, construction and similar industries. Speedy Fixings have been providing consumers and companies with products since 1999. Plus, besides their “on the shelf” products, they also manufacture bespoke products to order, including custom-made shims and bespoke post supports.
Types of fixings.
Nails.
Even though it is unknown exactly when nails were first invented, it is safe to assume that nails are the first type of fastener ever used. The first nails were forged using hammers and made out of copper and iron. As Tidy Away Today comments “Nails are one of the most used types of fasteners and have been used for centuries. Archaeological evidence shows that these fixings were used in Ancient Egypt around 3,400 B.C and since then, little has changed about their design.”
Nails are no longer made one by one using a hammer. Today, thousands of nails are made per minute by machines. These fasteners are now more readily available than have ever been and continue to be a popular fastener choice for many projects.
Screws.
Screws are similar in size, shape and function to nails. However, unlike nails, screws have ridges along the body to grip screw holes or create their own threaded hole. There are various types of screws, from common screws, including plasterboard screws and wood screws, to specialised screws, such as coach screws and double-ended screws. Each type of screw is suitable for specific materials. As this article on The Spruce mentions, “Screws can be used in a variety of materials, like concrete, brick, or metal, though they are most commonly seen in wood, drywall, and machinery.”
Bolts.
Bolts have a threaded body similar to a screw. However, these have a smooth end unlike screws, which have a body that becomes narrower from the tip to the head. Lucha Libre explains “bolts are non-tapered fasteners that require nuts and washers to be secured to a surface.” There are a variety of bolts available, from coach bolts and concrete bolts to more unique bolts, such as U bolts. If you need help choosing the right bolt for your project, I’d recommend speaking to a professional.
Nuts.
Nuts are most commonly hexagonal shaped fasteners made of metal and are used alongside bolts to fasten objects and/or surfaces together. Different types of nuts are used for a variety of applications, from nyloc nuts that feature a nylon insert, preventing components from loosening, to securely nuts that prevent materials and objects from being tampered with.
