The Bolt Depot Newsletter

Answers to Frequently Asked Fastener Questions

We receive many questions about fasteners. Here are the answers to a few of the most common ones:

What is thread pitch?

The thread 'pitch' of a US fastener is actually expressed as a thread count. This is the number of threads per inch, so a 1/4-20 fastener has 20 threads per inch and a 1/4-28 has 28 threads per inch.

Metric fasteners use an actual thread pitch. This is the distance from a point on one thread to the same point on the next thread. Metric thread pitches are expressed in millimeters, so the distance from a point on one thread to the same point on the next thread on an 8mm x 1.25 fastener is 1.25 millimeters, while that distance on an 8mm x 1.0 fastener is 1 millimeter.

What is the difference between a Bolt and a Screw?

There is a lot of confusion around what is considered a 'Bolt' and what is considered to be a 'Screw'. Officially speaking, the definitions are as follows:

A bolt is an externally threaded fastener designed for insertion through the holes in assembled parts, and is normally intended to be tightened or released by torquing a nut.

A screw is an externally threaded fastener capable of being inserted into holes in assembled parts, of mating with a preformed internal thread or forming its own thread, and of being tightened or released by torquing the head.

(From Distinguishing Bolts from Screws – U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

However, in practice the terms are often used interchangeably.  For example lag screws are typically referred to as lag bolts and hex bolts are sometimes referred to as hex cap screws.

Have a question or a tip?

If you have a fastener related question or a tip that you would like to see in our newsletter, e-mail it to us at newsletter@boltdepot.com.

Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season

Wondering what to get for the handyman, boater, or auto enthusiast who seems to have everything? How about a complete fastener assortment?

With our high quality assortments fasteners stay organized and all the right nuts, bolts, and screws are right at hand so you can concentrate on getting projects done and not on running out for fasteners. Our fastener assortments are available in small plastic boxes or large metal trays.

Check out some of our most popular assortments or see our online catalog for our complete selection.

Need a smaller gift idea or stocking stuffer?

How about a set of our popular thread gauges?

Exclusive Offers

Just in time for the holidays, we have two exclusive promotions just for our newsletter subscribers!

Assortment slide rack deal

Get a 5 box slide rack for our plastic assortments for just $24.95 (a $39.99 value). These cold rolled steel, powder coated, racks are stackable and come with a convenient carry handle.

Or get a 4 tray slide rack for our large metal assortments for just $49.95 (a $99.95 value). These stackable professional cold rolled steel racks will keep your large metal assortments ready for instant access.

The only way to get this exclusive offer is to click on one of the buttons below.

(assortment sold seprately)

Limit one per customer - Offers expires December 31st 2006

$3 Hat Offer

Place any order between now and Dec. 31st and get a Bolt Depot Hat for just $3.

Our top quality, 100% cotton, pigment dyed hats make a great holiday gift or stocking stuffer. Available in Green, Black, Blue, and Red.

The only way to get this exclusive offer is to click on one of the buttons below.

Offers expires December 31st 2006

New Fasteners at Bolt Depot

We are constantly adding new products to our site in response to customer demand. Some of our most recent additions are:

	Wire Eye Bolts and Eye Lags We now offer a line of wire eye bolts and wire eye lags in zinc plated steel and stainless steel.
	U-Bolts U-Bolts are one of our most requested items. We now offer zinc plated steel and stainless steel round bend U-bolts as well as zinc plated square bend U-bolts.
	J-Bolts Another frequently requested item, zinc plated steel and stainless steel J-bolts are now available on our site.
	Hanger Bolts We now carry a complete line of stainless steel and plain steel hanger bolts.
	Coupling Nuts One of our most popular new product lines, coupling nuts are available in zinc plated steel and stainless steel.

Coming Up Next… What You Want

Many of the useful features that make shopping for fasteners at Bolt Depot so easy are the result of suggestions from our customers. Drop us an email at newsletter@boltdepot.com or use our online feedback page at http://www.boltdepot.com/Feedback.aspx and let us know what you want to see.

Happy Holidays from the Bolt Depot Staff!