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Discussion Forum

When is a screw a bolt?

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Jim

01-20-2001 15:26:06




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Well here's one to talk over at the checker game... I went to the local hardware store to find a small metric screw the other day. This is about the size of a 10-32, half-ince long, with a phillips head. When I asked if he had any screws like this, he said "that's not a screw, that's a bolt"! So, in a smart-assed response I said "O.K. .. do you have any phillips-head bolts like this"? He took me to a drawer under a large sign which read "screws". Which is it, and where does it change from screws to bolts? Jim

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IaGuy

01-23-2001 18:20:12




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 Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to Jim, 01-20-2001 15:26:06  
What happened to burrs? Dad always sent me to get a bolt and burr.



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rhudson

01-24-2001 20:23:31




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 Re: Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to IaGuy, 01-23-2001 18:20:12  
mine said "bolt and tap" for some reason. i noticed many old timers called nuts, "taps" in this area.



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One definition

01-21-2001 14:53:31




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 Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to Jim, 01-20-2001 15:26:06  
This is a description from a machinist's manual, it could be wrong too, in places. Don't ask me about metrics'.
"Machine screws have slotted or recessed heads in many head styles. Sizes are from #0000 (0.021 in.) to 3/4 in. dia. and lengths from 1/8 (0.125 in.) to 3 in."
"Machine bolts are used to assemble parts that do not require close tolerances, have square or hexagonal heads and 1/2 in. to 30 in. dia. and use nuts."
"Cap screws are higher quality and screw into a threaded part, are held to a much closer tolerance in their manufacture, having a semifinished bearing surface under the head. Sizes are from 1/4 in. to 2 in. diameters with lengths from 3/8 in. to 10 in.."
I cannot remember all that, and neither can the hardware man. If you expect a test, just call it a threaded fastener, better, a thingamajig.

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randyb

01-21-2001 13:19:46




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 Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to Jim, 01-20-2001 15:26:06  
Would it make sense that if you use a SCREWDRIVER to turn the head that it would be a SCREW and if you use a wrench to turn or bolt the head that it would be a BOLT ?



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Scott Green

01-21-2001 06:13:05




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 Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to Jim, 01-20-2001 15:26:06  
In my mind , a screw is a fastener which screws into the material itself , and depends on the material for the holding power(no nut). A machine screw is a fastener which is turned into metal which is preped (tapped) to recieve the screw. Useually a more prescised thread. And a bolt is a fastener which a nut is turned on to. I also agree with the application of "being bolted". So your question is a good one. I think we are all on the right track. This generation , and more so , the next one , don't have a clue. Everyone thinks they know , and most of them don't. Maybe the fastener you had , was put under the wrong sign.

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rhudson

01-20-2001 16:19:55




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 Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to Jim, 01-20-2001 15:26:06  
a bolt is 1/2 of a two part fastening assemble. in other words if you use a nut with it its a bolt. if the male fastner screws into the maching, its a machine screw. there are other adj. like hex head, hex socket head, etc. i usually say "i needs one of these here thangs."



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Joe Evans

01-20-2001 21:37:43




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 Re: Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to rhudson, 01-20-2001 16:19:55  
10-4



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jimmyzz

01-20-2001 22:22:41




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 Re: Re: Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to Joe Evans, 01-20-2001 21:37:43  
my research on this has only turned up this. the higer head bolts, like cat uses are called bolts. where as the more common lower profile head is called a capscrew ( i still call them bolts though). but i,ve never found a truly definitive answer, as in sae spec. but would like to.



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Jeri Gauthier

01-21-2001 04:09:20




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to jimmyzz, 01-20-2001 22:22:41  
A bolt is an application. When a machine screw is
turned into a fitting it is bolted. It is a bolt.
When a nut is turned onto a machine screw, the two become a bolt. A machine screw is a threaded shaft. A nut is a threaded receptacle.
When I asked the difference many years ago, one old machinist said, "I dunno - I've never been bolted."



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D W

01-22-2001 11:42:30




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to Jeri Gauthier, 01-21-2001 04:09:20  
When you get married,you are bolted.



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Junkman

02-02-2001 21:37:31




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to D W, 01-22-2001 11:42:30  
I thought it was you got screwed when you got married. Or is it you get bolted when you get married and screwed if you get divorced? I don't know, married 9 1/2 years and only 31. Some of us younger guys still hold marriage sacred.
John



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bob

01-25-2001 05:43:54




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 Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: When is a screw a bolt? in reply to D W, 01-22-2001 11:42:30  
maybe when we got married but now days their just attached



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