Not all torque wrenches are alike. When selecting a torque wrench or operating a wrench, it’s important to understand the functions of the tool being used for the fastening application. Take time to read all instructions provided to fully understand the working features and manufacturer recommendations. The design of certain wrenches, make the tool “length…
Metric washers seem simple enough until it’s time for you to actually select the exact kind that you need. There are a wide variety of types, styles and grades to choose from. This is not only true of metric bolts or metric screws – it also applies when you’re looking for the right metric washer…
Like many of you, I plan to spend the Fourth of July celebrating our nation’s birthday with family and friends. This holiday just doesn’t seem complete without picnics, parades, barbecues, and of course fireworks we have all enjoyed since childhood. As much as we each enjoy the traditions, Independence Day is, most of all, an…
What do all the different nuts do, and which type or types do you need to purchase? Let’s take a glimpse at the world of nuts. The essential purpose of any nut is to mate with a bolt to discourage the bolt from loosening its grip against a surface. When you thread a nut onto…
Do your eyes glaze over at all the metric bolt choices? We know it can be kind of confusing, especially if you’re not used to ordering metric parts. Let’s look at the meaning of some common terms in the world of “bolt-ology.” Bolts have different heads that identify their use for different applications. Hex bolts,…
Metric spring pins provide extra security in parts of assemblies prone to frequent jolts or vibration. Ordinary dowel pins or other metric fasteners can respond to these disturbances by coming loose and eventually wiggling out of their shafts. A spring pin, however, produces some force of its own to counteract those outside forces. It actually…
Most of the world has gone metric in its industrial measurement standards. But since we don’t necessarily “think metric” on this side of the planet, it’s understandable that you might be puzzled by the various international standards sporting esoteric acronyms such as DIN and JIS. Allow us to shed a little light on the subject…
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It brings family together and provides an opportunity to give thanks for the wonderful gifts in our life. To give thanks is a beautiful practice of considering those that make our life enjoyable, special and fulfilling. In my family, we address each person at the dinner table and exchange thanks…
A Brief History of the Screw We use metric screws and screwdrivers all the time – but where did these ingenious devices come from? They weren’t always there, after all. Here’s a little mini-history of everyone’s favorite fastener. The basic idea of the screw first came about in the 1st Century A.D. But these early…
Everyday fasteners and fasteners are being tightened and torqued into a wide range of manufactured products, like electronics, medical devices, automobiles, aircrafts and more. One item that can often be overlooked with fasteners is – “Are these fasteners RoHS compliant?” What does that really mean? Why does it matter for your manufacturing chain? And how…