Feb 26, 2014

A nut is the anchor used to hold screws and other fasteners in place. Nuts are identifiable by their threaded holes, meaning that the inside of the hole in the middle of the nut has a spiral groove pattern into which the matching groove on the shaft of a screw can fit. There are several different types of nuts, and knowing which is best for a given project can be a big help when purchasing materials for your next job. The following is useful information about the common and specialty nuts available at Copper State:

  • Wing Nut: Wing nuts have small metal “wings” attached to either side so that they can be easily gripped and tightened by hand. They are often used on bicycles, drum sets, light fixtures, and other places where a nut frequently has to be removed and replaced.

  • Hex Nut: A hex nut is the most common type of nut. They are hexagonal in shape to allow better gripping by wrenches and other tools. A hex nut comes in a variety of sizes to fit all types of bolts and screws.

  • Square Nut: A square nut has four sides, giving it maximum contact with the part being fastened. They are less likely to come loose due to wear, but they are also more difficult to tighten and remove when necessary.

  • Acorn Nut: An acorn nut is a hex nut with a metal dome on top that covers the head of the bolt. This provides protection against rubbing and snagging of things that might come in contact with the fastened area.

  • Weld Nut: A weld nut is designed to be welded to a surface after fastening. It has a large, flat surface area to give the flame from the welding torch plenty to come in contact with.

  • Lock Nut: A lock nut is designed to resist loosening under vibration or high torque. They have notches or stops cut into them to prevent bolts from slipping out of the grooves. These nuts can be found in cars or on heavy machinery.

Understanding what each type of nut does and which applications it can be most beneficial for will help you to determine what you need to buy for your project. Whether you are working on renovating a car engine or building a home, there is a nut out there that will provide the perfect fit for your needs. Call (800) 603-6887 now for pricing and details about the wide selection of nuts and bolts available at Copper State.



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