Of all the fasteners on the market, the most common are bolts and screws. It’s helpful to outline the main differences between them, as there’s a common assumption that they both do the same job. They may both look similar, but they each have unique applications. Commonly used in the manufacturing industry, both screws and bolts are key to the car-making sector along with engineering, factories and roofing sectors.
Screws
Screws are long metal shafts that can be either partially or fully threaded. They’re tightened by turning clockwise, and loosened by turning anticlockwise, and they are used to assemble objects with threads. When it comes to choosing the right screw for the job in hand, it’s important to consider the head shape which can vary wildly. You’ll also find that screws are available in a wide range of materials, most commonly steel. Screws are normally installed into a pre-tapped hole, unless it is a self-tapping screw that creates its own thread on the way in (often used in metal applications). Because the head of the screw is generally larger than the body, it can be difficult to hide, which makes a screw a less-than-ideal choice if the visual aesthetics of the finished object are important to you.
Bolts
Bolts are typically used with a nut and are commonly used in the assembly of unthreaded objects. While screws can be turned to assemble a joint, bolts can be secured into place by using a tool. There are many different types of bolt available on the market, so it’s important to check that you are using the right one for your particular application, otherwise you may find that it’s not quite up to the job. Bolts also come in different materials including steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze and nylon, but the most commonly used bolt is by far the steel bolt, being used in up to 90% of applications. Bolts with a nut are really easy to do up and undo, making it a flexible and versatile choice for a wealth of different applications.
When deciding whether a bolt or a screw is the better choice for your particular application, it’s a good idea to consider whether or not you’re likely to need to unassembled it again. Bolts offer more versatility in this regard, as you can undo a nut and bolt a bit more easily than you can undo a screw.
If strength is important to you, then do consider that a screw offers a middle ground for holding power, whereas a bolt provides a tremendous amount of holding power.
If you’re not sure whether you need a bolt or a screw for your particular application, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly team who will be pleased to help and advise you.