Fasteners and hardware are responsible for keeping your whole industrial assembly, construction, repair, and machining operation running by providing secure and consistent connections. Whether you're doing heavy-duty machinery, metal fabrication, woodworking, or general manufacturing, the right nuts, bolts, screws, and anchors will make sure that your workpiece holds together firmly and securely for a long time to come.
BlackHawk Industrial is proud to offer an extensive catalog of fasteners and hardware that will give you the high-quality solutions you need to do the job safely and correctly.
Choosing the Right Fasteners and Hardware For Your Needs
The right industrial fastener or hardware connection will depend on the type of material(s) you are connecting, the load they'll hold, whether or not you need corrosion or rust resistance, and a number of environmental factors. Take a look at some of the most common factors you'll need to consider through this process:
Material Compatibility
The type of material you'll be working with will help determine what fastener is right for the job.
Metals require stainless steel or coated fasteners to reduce corrosion or rust.
Wood comes in both hard and soft varieties. Softwood is best fastened with a coarse-threaded fastener, while fine-threaded fasteners are best for hardwoods.
Composites and plastics will call for specialized fasteners and hardware for the application so you can avoid issues like cracks, splits, compression, or loosening over time.
Environmental Considerations
Your fastener must stand up against the environment where you plan to use the workpiece, which may mean exposure to chemicals, moisture, extreme temperatures, or other issues.
Indoor or Outdoor Use: Stainless steel and galvanized fasteners won't corrode in humid or marine environments. Zinc-coated fasteners will give moderate corrosion resistance when used indoors.
Extremes: Extreme temperatures require a heat-resistant option like titanium or nickel alloy so they don't warp or lose their integrity from high heat. Chemical exposure will need a specific coating depending on the chemicals they'll be exposed to.
Load Bearing and Strength Requirements
Make sure that the shear and tensile strengths of the fastener meet your needs, and determine whether or not you'll need a standard or high-strength option.
Fastening Method and Requirements
Are you making a permanent connection, or would you like to leave the option to disconnect it at a later time?
You'll also want to ask whether or not the fasteners will be exposed to vibrations and movement that may cause them to come loose and will want to consider a lock washer, thread-lock adhesive, or a locking nut.
Finding the Best Fastener For Your Application
Go through each of the important considerations for your project, like material compatibility, any exposure to the environment, strength requirements, how you'll be fastening it, any specific compliance standards, and anything else specific to your task, while choosing the right fastener. If you have any questions or want to talk to an expert, reach out to the BlackHawk Industrial team immediately. We have a wide range of fasteners from the most respected names in the industry, so you can rely on performance, durability, and reliability.
Fastener and Hardware Care and Maintenance Tips
To keep your fasteners strong and reliable, follow these best practices:
Inspect Regularly - When using fasteners, make sure there are no signs of corrosion, rust, or wear before installing. After you've installed them, make sure that you check them to make sure they are in great condition so you can replace them before they fail and cause more damage.
Store Properly - Keep your fasteners stored in a cool, dry place where they won't be exposed to chemicals, temperature fluctuations, humidity changes, and other factors that can cause them to rust or corrode before use.
Use Anti-Seize Compounds - When you are working in high-temperature conditions, an anti-seize compound will help reduce the risk of galling or thread damage that can compromise your work.
Use the Right Torque - Keep your torque wrenches calibrated, and always tighten fasteners to the recommended torque to make sure they hold fast without damaging your workpiece or risking failure.
Replace Damaged Bolts Immediately - Stripped threads reduce the hardware's fastening capability and may lead to a serious failure. Make sure you replace any worn threads as soon as you notice them.
Why Purchase Fasteners & Hardware from BlackHawk Industrial?
At BlackHawk Industrial, we distinguish ourselves as the #1 choice for industrial manufacturers who require technical service and production savings. We are their “across-the-production-floor” partner, delivering value through product and supply chain performance that lowers their total cost of production.
Our wide selection of fasteners will help you get the job done right, whether you're looking for industrial, aerospace, construction, automotive, or manufacturing applications.
Fastener and Hardware FAQs
What is the difference between a bolt and a screw?
A bolt is fastened with a nut, while screws use their own threads to create firm holds in the material. Bolts are not self-driving and require a hole to be prepared for it, while a screw has a sharp point that makes its own hole.
What's the best fastener material for outdoor use?
Stainless steel, galvanized steel, or special coatings are your best bet when it comes to rust resistance.
What's the difference between fine and coarse threads?
A coarse thread is stronger and will resist stripping, while fine threads will let you be more precise with your tightening for exact torque measurements and other job-specific requirements.
Should I always use thread-lock compounds?
Use a locking compound when you are installing a fastener that needs to hold up to vibration or movement. This way, the fastener won't back out or be shaken loose during normal operations.
What's the best way to remove a rusted fastener?
Start by using a penetrating lubricant and an impact driver to attempt to loosen it up. If that doesn't work, you may want to apply heat (if the material allows for it). Finally, you may need to drill the fastener out to open that space back up.