9 Popular Types of Bolts
9 Popular Types of Bolts
Types of Bolts
These are 9 Popular Types of Bolts. Here’s a description of each with explanations of their typical uses:
1. Cheese Head Bolt
- Appearance: Cylindrical head with a flat top and vertical sides. Head often has a slot or cross-shaped drive recess.
- Use: General-purpose fastener. Used in furniture, machinery, and where a slightly rounded head is acceptable.
2. Hexagonal Bolt (Hex Bolt)
- Appearance: Six-sided head and a threaded shank.
- Use: One of the most common fasteners. Used extensively in construction, machinery, and automotive applications. Requires a wrench or socket to install.
3. Eye Bolt
- Appearance: A bolt with a looped head designed to accommodate rope, cables, or hooks.
- Use: For lifting, rigging, or attaching lines and cables to objects.
4. Hook Bolt
- Appearance: Bolt with a J-shaped or L-shaped hook instead of a standard head.
- Use: Securing objects without needing access to both sides for tightening. Often used for hanging or suspending items.
5. “T” Head Bolt
- Appearance: Features a T-shaped head.
- Use: Designed to slide into T-slot tracks on machinery or workbenches. Allows for adjustable positioning and securing.
6. Cup Head Bolt (Socket Head)
- Appearance: Cylindrical head with a hexagonal, socket-shaped recess for driving.
- Use: Provides strong hold in structural applications. Requires an Allen wrench or hex key.
7. Headless Taper Bolt (Set Screw)
- Appearance: Cylindrical threaded rod without a head. It often has a square, hex, or slotted recess for tightening.
- Use: Designed to be inserted fully into a threaded hole. Used to secure gears, pulleys, or prevent relative movement between components.
8. Countersunk Head Bolt (Flat Head)
- Appearance: Conical head with a flat top, designed to sit flush or below a surface. Often features a slot, cross, or square drive.
- Use: Provides a smooth, finished look when the bolt head needs to be hidden.
9. Square Head Bolt
- Appearance: Features a square head and threaded body.
- Use: Designed for high torque applications. In the past, it was more common due to the ease of using a wrench, but has been largely replaced with Hex Bolts.
Overall Importance Bolts are essential fasteners used in a vast range of applications spanning construction, engineering, manufacturing, and more. Understanding their types and purposes is crucial for selecting the correct one for various tasks.