INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURING BLOG YOU SHOULD BE READING

Key Questions to Ask When Ordering Metal Fasteners Supply

15 Apr.,2024

Product Page

4 Things You Should Know Before Buying Industrial Fasteners

Before purchasing a fastener there are 4 very important questions you should ask yourself:

1st Question - What type of material and finish would best fit my fastener need?

The Material a Fastening System is made of can vary from Low Carbon Steel to Exotic Alloys. What material a fastener is “finished with” can also range from plain finish to performance specific coatings. To determine the right material and/or finish a person must first understand three vital areas: the application, performance requirements, and the environment in which the fastener will be exposed.

-Application:

- Fasteners can be used in a wide variety of applications:

-ex. Machinery, structural building, lumber, flange bolting, etc

- Performance requirements:

- Fasteners are specifically designed to meet certain performance criteria based on the application.

-ex. Required Minimum Tensile strength: Depending on the application some fasteners are designed to break before they bend or vice versa.

-ex. High vs. Low temperature/pressure service.

- Environment:

Last but not least, one should be aware of the environment the fastening system will be exposed to.
Will the Fastener be exposed to outdoor environment, salt water atmosphere, perhaps corrosive chemicals?
What type of material will the fastener be used in/on? (Certain metals can actually cause corrosion when exposed to particular materials)
The environment plays a large role in determining the finish (coating) requirements as well.

NOTE: If you are able to put your hands on the a sample of the fastener in question, look carefully at the item and search for any distinguishing markings. Most will have a letter, number or the combination of the two which symbolizes exactly what material the fastener is made of. This will enable the fastener experts to give you the correct material that you are requesting.

2nd question - What size Fastener do I need?

Sizes of Fasteners range between Standard and Metric Sizes:

-When purchasing a Standard or Metric Fastener you should know 3 things:

a. Standard Diameter: ¼”, 3/8”, 1” and Metric : 10mm, 20mm etc…

1. Threads per Inch (Standard): measured as the number of threads in a one inch area: (NOTE: always skip the 1st thread when counting the number of threads)
ex. (Coarse or fine): ¼”-20tpi or ¼”-28tpi

b2. Thread Pitch (Metric): measured by the distance between the pitch (or top of each thread) in Millimeters: ex. (Coarse or Fine) : M10-1.5 or M10.125

c. Length of Fastener:

-Does the length allow for a Nut and/or Flat Washer?

- If stud bolts, do I want my stud measured Over All Length (OAL) or First to First thread (FTF)?

d. Length of Thread:

- Does my application require standard thread (which is twice the diameter plus ¼ and if length is over 6” it would be twice the diameter + ½) or do I need material fully threaded?

3rd question - What type of Fastener do I need?

There are many different types of fasteners designed for specific purposes and applications.

Some common types are:

Hex head cap screw (most common, usually referred to as a bolt but there is a distinct difference)
Heavy Hex Bolt
All thread stud
Socket drive screws (socket head cap screw, socket set screw, etc.)

One should also consider what type of drive they want on their fastener: hex head, socket, Phillips, slotted, security, etc

Finally, the most important question: Am I purchasing my Fastener System from a company who lists “The 4 things you need to know before buying fasteners?”

Purchasing fasteners has the potential to be a time consuming and exhausting task. Imagine this task becoming as simple as a phone call doing business with a company whose knowledge and experience will save you time and money!

If you take these 4 steps into account before beginning your fastener search, you should find the task a quick and easy one.

Visit our Product Line to view a list of fasteners and other items that we carry. To read comments from existing clients about the quality of our products and customer service, please visit the testimonials page. To learn more about our products, or to place your order, please call (225) 272-1703 today, or complete our easy quick quote form.

Share this page

Although fasteners might seem like nothing more than a small piece to a much larger project, they’re actually an incredibly critical part of any machine or structure. These pieces of hardware usually join two or more materials together, either permanently or temporarily, so start by asking yourself some basic questions:

What type of material are you joining together?
What are your weight and strength requirements?
Where will the fasteners be used?

Now you’re ready to buy fasteners online. With hundreds of brands and thousands of different types of fasteners available, from nuts and bolts, to screws and rivets, to anchors and washers and more, here are four important traits to look for when choosing where to buy your fasteners:

1. Plenty of Sizes

With so many fastener options, you want to choose a company that offers the gamut of fastener sizes. For most fasteners, diameter is measured on the outside of the threads, and machine-threaded fasteners typically specify thread density as threads per inch (U.S., TPI) or thread pitch (metric). Additionally, depending on the fastener diameter, a fastener could be available in coarse, fine, or super-fine threading. Nuts and washers, on the other hand, are sized according to the screw or bolt they fit, and different washer patterns have different outside diameters.

With all of these variables in mind, you can imagine how important it is to make sure the company you’re shopping with has tens of thousands of options in stock so you can find the fastener that meets your project’s specifications.

2. Material Options

Fasteners come in a variety of materials, which means when you’re buying fasteners online, you want to find a supplier that offers every option in the book. Do you know whether you need a fastener made from zinc-plated steel, hot-dipped galvanized steel, stainless steel, chrome, nickel-plated steel, brass, bronze, or alloy steel? Material makes a difference in the color of the fastener, not to mention its resistance to corrosion, durability, project application, and price. If you’re not sure what material you need for your project, having plenty of variety in materials will help you as you make sure you have the right fastener for the job.

3. Variety of Brands

Whether you have brand loyalty or prefer to buy generic, you want to make sure to shop an online fastening retailer that offers plenty of variety. Oftentimes, brand-name fasteners are made with higher-quality materials and have greater engineering integrity. Some brand-name fasteners are manufactured in the U.S., while others are imported. For example, if you’re looking for U.S.-manufactured pop rivets, the only brand you’ll find is POP® rivets. It’s important to shop a supplier who has plenty of brand variety—including major brands like Avdel®, Huck®, and Marson®—so you can control all aspects of your project. Whatever you are looking for, they should offer alternative substitutes across multiple brands, at a variety of price points, with quantity break pricing and easily viewed availability.

4. Purchasing Flexibility

Are you searching for just a few fasteners? Or are you trying to buy in bulk? Make sure the company you’re buying fasteners from gives you plenty of options, without any minimums or maximums. Also, make sure to look for a company that will ship to a job site, to your customers, or anywhere else you need your fasteners to go.

Bonus: Do They Offer Expert Advice/Service?

Look for a company that offers expert advice and assistance. If you need help with product specifications, installation systems, tools, or alternative fastening solutions, you want to make sure your supplier has the chops to help you. Whether you’re looking for a specialty fastener or you’re not entirely sure what you’re looking for, an online fastener company that offers advice and help in the buying process will be able to guide you in the right direction.

Also, when it comes to service, ask yourself, do they offer in-house installation systems support for tools, repairs, parts, and warranty service along with technical support after the sale? If so, their technicians must be certified by the manufacturers they represent as master tier authorized distributors. They should receive their training at the source by participating in advanced educational training by the manufacturers.

Do they offer automation integration and industry specific product and application support? They should be able to enable your hardware to work together, knowing how each part works together. They should also establish maintenance programs with routine preventative maintenance and service.

The right fastener vendor will offer all of the options available, from materials and finish to head style and more. Make sure you choose a fastener supplier who provides quality, durability, and value. Contact the experienced experts at Bay Supply for help in selecting the right fasteners for your job.

Read more

The company is the world’s best Deslagging Agent supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

Previous: What is the basic information about stainless steel?

Next: Where are cutting tools used?

Guest Posts

Key Questions to Ask When Ordering Metal Fasteners Supply

1. Plenty of Sizes

2. Material Options

3. Variety of Brands

4. Purchasing Flexibility

Bonus: Do They Offer Expert Advice/Service?

Key Questions to Ask When Ordering Metal Fasteners Supply

Buying Fasteners Online? Look for these 4 traits