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When you choose to buy bolts for any reason, it’s important that you go about it in the right way in order for you to get the most out of one. When you are in such a position, you should always remember that the decision on which bolt to use should not be made arbitrarily. […]

When you choose to buy bolts for any reason, it’s important that you go about it in the right way in order for you to get the most out of one. When you are in such a position, you should always remember that the decision on which bolt to use should not be made arbitrarily. There are many things that you need to keep in mind when going shopping for such items, especially when you want to get the most value for money possible.
buying bolts

The issues of size
Bolts are normally sized according to the length, so this is what should come in mind when you find out that a bolt is defined as being of a particular size. Most of the time, this is in inches. This then means that if you are thinking of buying bolts, it would be a good idea to keep in mind the length that you will need for the specific application. Ideally, you should get ones that will perfectly fit, instead of having to cut them once they are installed. Doing the latter could lead to difficulty in removing them later on. In addition to that, it could also result in damage to the bolt itself. The other aspect of size is with regard to the thickness of the bolt. This will also have to be specified when shopping for the products.

 
The configuration of the head
In addition to that, you also need to keep in mind the configuration of the head when shopping for bolts. For instance, if you need to use the bolts to assemble a conveyor, it would be important to get an elevator bolt for such purposes. This type of bolt is designed to have a head with a flat surface that sits flush with the surface in which it is going to be installed. Other head configurations you might need to be familiar with is the hex head bolt, which is a very popular one and is often the one that is considered easiest to use.
The one thing you need to remember is that when deciding which type of head the bolts should have, you only need to imagine the type of application that you are going to use the bolt for. As far as possible, the two need to be compatible in order for you to get the most out of the bolts.
The shaft of the bolt
In some cases, you will also need to specify what kind of shaft you need the bolt to have. This usually also depends on how you want to use the bolts as well. For instance, if you are going to use the bolts in an environment where they are going to be subjected to very high temperatures, you would need to make sure that the bolts you select are made of a material that can withstand the types of temperatures you are expecting. Most authorities recommend that the bolts should have a melting point that is a few degrees higher than the temperature they are going to be exposed to. This way, even if they are exposed to the temperatures for long, the chances of damage will be minimal.

About the Author

Larry Melone
By Larry Melone
President

Started my career in the fastener world in 1969 at, Parker Kalon Corp. a NJ based screw manufacturer located in Clifton, NJ working in inventory control, scheduling secondary production and concluding there in purchasing. In 1971 I accepted a sales position at Star Stainless Screw Co., Totowa, NJ working in inside sales and later as an outside salesman, having a successful career at Star I had the desire with a friend to start our own fastener distribution company in 1980 named: Divspec, Kenilworth, NJ. This was a successful adventure but ended in 1985 with me starting Melfast in August 1985 and have stayed competitive and successful to date. Melfast serves the OEM market with approximately 400 accounts nationally.

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