For those in the construction, fabrication and manufacturing industries, selecting the best fastener for the job may be based on past experience, what is the best option or simply what is available.
The reality is there are often several different options in fasteners that may be an ideal match for the job. It is worth the time for the contractor, project manager or design and development teams to take a close look at the various options.
For a secure hold when there may be the need to take the equipment, part or structure apart or for highly secure fastening, fully threaded studs are often not only the best option for secure fastening but also a much easier option to work with.
What to Consider
The difference between a flat head bolt, a carriage bolt or any other type of bolt and fully threaded studs is the lack of a head on the stud. The threading will run consistently from one end to the other, allowing for maximum adjustment for the type and size of components these fasteners are used with.
When choosing these studs, there are three important considerations. These include the length of the stud, the diameter of the stud and if there is a need for any specific type of coating or surfacing for the stud and the nuts used.
Length
The length of the specific fully threaded studs needs to be carefully considered in relation to the two components that need to be secured. It is important for many applications to have only the minimal required length to avoid the nuts or the ends of the studs from protruding and posing a safety issue once they are installed.
It is, however, not a wise decision to have the studs too short. This creates an issue where the nuts are hard to get on and the easy of using this fastener becomes compromised.
Diameter
The diameter of the stud will typically have an impact on the thread. The thicker in diameter of the stud the coarser the thread tends to be. Of course, it is possible to custom order specific combinations of threads, diameters and lengths.
It is also possible to match the studs with the desired type of nuts. Wing-nuts can be extremely easy to use and require no special tools, however, these aren’t the ideal option when maximum security is required for structural stability or other factors.
