Fasteners are pieces of hardware that join objects together mechanically. They come in a variety of forms for a wide range of purposes. That's why it's important to choose the right fastener as well as the right size, strength and finish for your exact job.
At Construction Fasteners and Tools, we are experts in helping you understand your fastener options. We're happy to work with you to choose the right fastener for your next job and help you get the quantity you need at an affordable price. If you don't see the product or quantity that you need online, contact us and we will help you find it.
You'll find fasteners in a wide variety of industries for multiple applications. Common industries that use fasteners include:
Metals, especially stainless steel, are the materials used to manufacture approximately 90% of all fasteners on the market, with plastics such as polyvinyl, polyurethane and polyethylene accounting for the remaining 10%.
Most manufacturers prefer metal because of its exceptional mechanical strength and impact resistance. At the same time, companies in industries such as automotive and electronics are using plastic fasteners more frequently due to their lighter weight, lower cost and better corrosion resistance.
Anchors and studs are used for securely binding or anchoring components to a permanent base. You can use both types of fasteners in a broad range of applications from building construction to automotive engine assemblies. While studs and anchors are different devices, they typically serve the same purpose.
Studs are vertical or horizontal protrusions where pre-drilled parts are slipped over them and then secured by a threaded complementary fastener. Studs are classified as "male" components. They are threaded on the exposed side end and designed to hold fast, allowing a female open-ended compression fastener like a nut to secure the work.
Usually, a nut and washer combination is screwed over the stud to hold a component securely to a base. Studs are typically set into the main structural component's subsurface and attached by bonding or by expanding compression like set concrete.
Studs are common in mechanical assemblies, such as engine cylinder heads. The studs just press into the metal and hold down moving parts like rocker arms.
Anchors also secure components to a fixed base, although they function more like receptacles. You can screw or set other fasteners into them. Anchors are similar to tapped holes. They are designed as female receptacles that accept male companions like threaded bolts or machine screws. Anchors work best in solid applications where your workers can set them in predrilled holes in concrete. You can also use anchors in hollow wall situations like interior drywall partitions.
Standard nails are classified as anchors, and so are mechanical rivets used in fastening aircraft and marine parts. Another common fastener type is the anchor bolts used in building foundations. These are a combination of an anchor and a stud. Do you know what type of anchor and stud you need for your project? Check out our comprehensive inventory list, or contact us if you're unsure. Our inventory of anchors and studs includes:
Bolts are the primary fastener used in many applications. They come in a huge range of sizes, types, strengths, materials, thread counts and pitches, diameters, lengths, head styles and finishes. There is no such thing as a universal bolt, but what all bolts have in common is that they are designed to compress materials.
Typically, you would use bolts in conjunction with nuts and washers where they are set through predrilled holes in multiple surfaces. The bolt head stays stationary while compression or torque energy is applied to a nut. In timber frame construction, you will often use fixed carriage bolts with torqued nuts and washers.
Some bolt applications are different than the standard through-bolt with a compression nut. Bolts are sometimes designed to fit into fixed, threaded holes. Here, you would apply torque directly to the bolt head, and by turning the bolt, it results in compression. This occurs in engines when cylinder heads are bolted to a block.
The three main bolt features are the head, the shaft and the threads. Most bolts have hex head configurations. However, some, such as carriage bolts and set screw bolts, have more unique head designs. The shaft is the bolt's lateral part, which you classify by length and diameter. The threads cut into the bolt shaft create torque when you twist the bolt or use a nut.
Bolt threads fall into two categories:
Manufacturers also produce bolts according to one of two world classifications. Imperial bolts are common in North America. They are also called U.S. or standard-sized bolts. The other class is metric bolts. Metric sizes are common in Europe. You measure imperial bolts in fractions of inches. Examples include 1/2 or 3/8-inch bolts. You measure metric bolts in millimeters. Examples include 10 and 12 mm bolts.
Construction Fasteners and Tools carries a large selection of bolt sizes, shapes and styles. Check out our online inventory. You are sure to find the exact bolt you need from these categories:
If you're looking for an economical way to buy bulk bolts, then consider going with bolt kits. These kits contain the most common bolt types and sizes. That way, you can maintain a supply of bolts, nuts and washers for various applications. Choose from a 514-piece bolt kit or a larger 648-piece supply. Both come in dividable plastic containers with a see-through lid.
Nuts are complementary to bolts. Nuts need to be compatible with bolt size and thread, and they are considered to be female fastening devices. They are drilled to accept internal insertion and are almost always designed to apply the compression torque, not to receive it.
They are available in coarse and fine threads as well as in metric and imperial sizes. Nut sizes are determined by the inside diameter (i/d) of the threads, unlike bolts, which are rated according to outside diameter (o/d). Nut strength has to be equal to or greater than its supporting bolt. Like bolts, nuts are rated in strength grades as determined by the nut's chemical or metallurgical composition.
Each strength grade has a numerical value. The higher the number, the stronger it is. Strength ratings are similar for both nuts and bolts. Grade one and two nuts are comparatively weak as compared to grades six and eight. Grade ratings also change according to the type of metal used to manufacture the nut.
Nuts come in various finishes, as bolts do. It is important to make sure you use nuts and bolts with the same finishes. This affects more than just appearance. You also have to account for chemical reactions. The following are some common nut finishes:
Construction Fasteners and Tools maintains a wide-ranging inventory of specialized nuts. Browse our online catalog and review our selection of nuts to find the ones that are right for your project.
If you're working with wood or metal construction, then you will no doubt be using screws frequently. They are an extension of bolt design and are available in many of the same materials. It's important to understand the main difference between screws and bolts. Unlike bolts, screws are designed to work on their own without the need for nuts. Screws are also made to be self-tapping. Although, in tougher materials, they typically require pilot holes.
When choosing the correct screw type, it's vital to consider what type of head you need. Each type of screw head has its purpose. Different screw head types include:
Many screws use a standard slot or an X-shaped Phillips head. The recessed square Robertson drive is one of the most popular screw head types in Canada. The big advantage of a Robertson head is holding power. Robertson screws are harder to strip. Countersink heads work well in wood and drywall construction because you can set the head to be either flat or sunken to accept filler.
For more information on the different types of screw heads and the best choice for your next project, contact our team of experts.
Screws are rated by length, diameter and thread style. Most screws have very coarse threads. That allows you to drive screws quickly, which is an enormous advantage for large projects like wood houses and metal roofs. Many builders swear by using screws over nails in the right situation. That's especially true in floor and deck construction.
Metal screws normally have tighter threads. They are shorter as penetration requirement in metal work tends to be shallow. Machine screws are often used if you are fastening metal. They are actually more similar to a bolt than a screw as they are made to thread into an object. All forms utilize torque applied to the screw head, not its substrate receptacle.
Construction Fasteners and Tools carries an excellent assortment of standard and specialty screws. You can browse these screw types online and select the screws that best fit your needs:
Washers are the silent heroes in the fastener business. The proper washer can be the difference between long-term success and failure or the need for early repairs. Washers are used in conjunction with primary fasteners such as a bolt or a nut, and there are two primary washer types:
Often, you use both together, but you must position the lock washer between the bolt or screw head and the compression washer. Placing a lock washer under a compression washer and against the work surface may cause trouble.
Washers come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses and materials. The important thing is always using washers that are compatible with the nut and bolt assembly. Here are some things to consider when you're deciding on the right washer type:
Construction Fasteners and Tools offers many different forms of compression, lock and specialty washers. Have a look at our online catalog where you'll find the combination of washers you need. We carry:
Many Construction Fasteners and Tools customers find bulk purchasing their fasteners is the best way to go. If you are a contractor or even a do-it-yourselfer who will use a lot of fasteners for your next project, bulk buying will get you the most value for your money. That goes for every type of fastener we handle.
For bulk pricing for quantities larger than you see on the site, please call our service representatives at 1-866-238-8880, and we will be happy to provide you with a quote for large fastener quantities. That includes studs and anchors, bolts, nuts, screws and washers. We can supply by the weight, piece number or case lot.
We can offer excellent value through bulk buying because of our purchasing power. Construction Fasteners and Tools is part of an organization called The Fastener Group. This is a western Canadian association that uses a combined market size to leverage wholesale bulk purchasing. This allows us to pass on savings to you, our valued customer.
We also offer free shipping on all orders over $99*, and same-day shipping is available for most products.
At Construction Fasteners and Tools, our mission is to make all of our customers feel satisfied and appreciated. We go the extra mile in providing excellent service and we do whatever it takes to go above and beyond your expectations. You can trust us for all your fastener needs.
Please browse through our easy-to-use and secure website. Here you will find more than just a huge volume of regular and specialty fasteners. We also carry hand and power tools from name brands like Bosch, DeWalt, Fein, Festool, Freud, Makita, Milwaukee, Rigid, Walter and Werner and a large supply of safety equipment.
If you need something not listed online, we will do our best to source it for you. Call Construction Fasteners and Tools today at 1-866-238-8880 or contact us online.