The Core Difference The fundamental distinction between screws and bolts lies in their fastening method: screws create their own threaded path and fasten objects directly, while bolts pass through pre-drilled holes and require a nut to secure materials together. This seemingly simple difference aff...

What Makes Automotive Screws Different Automotive screws are engineered fasteners specifically designed to withstand the unique demands of vehicle environments, including constant vibration, temperature fluctuations from -40°F to 300°F, and exposure to oils, fuels, and road salts. Unlike standard h...

Flange nut vs lock nut: the direct answer Choose a lock nut when your main risk is loosening from vibration, cyclic loading, or movement. Choose a flange nut when your main need is faster assembly and better load distribution on the joint surface (often replacing a separate washer). If you need bot...

How a screw is made (clear answer first) Most modern screws are mass-produced by forming steel wire into a head and shank, then rolling threads into the surface, followed by heat treatment (when required), surface finishing, and inspection. The highest-volume route is: wire → cold heading → thread ...

For most non-weld body and bracket repairs, the best approach to riveting a car is using structural blind automotive rivets matched to the material thickness and installed with a properly set rivet tool—this delivers a permanent, vibration-resistant joint without heat distortion. In practical terms:...

Industrial fastener applications are reliable when you match the fastener’s strength class, material, coating, and tightening method to the joint’s load, environment, and service life. In practice, that means designing for controlled clamp load (preload), preventing loosening under vibration, and ma...

For most real-world exposure to moisture, zinc plated is the safer default; for tight-fit parts used indoors, black oxide is usually the better choice. Zinc plating protects steel by sacrificing itself to corrosion, while black oxide is a thin conversion layer that mainly improves appearance and red...

What an automotive nut must do in real assemblies An automotive nut is rarely a “simple” part once it enters a vehicle or machine. It must generate and retain clamp load while facing vibration, temperature swings, corrosion, and repeated service operations. In practice, most joint issues are not ca...

What a Lag Bolt Pilot Hole Does (and Why the Size Matters) A lag bolt pilot hole is the pre-drilled hole that guides the threaded portion of a lag bolt into wood. The correct pilot size reduces splitting, lowers driving torque, and helps the threads bite cleanly for better holding power. If the pil...

What “types of lock washers” means in real assemblies The phrase types of lock washers covers multiple designs that resist loosening in different ways. Some add spring force (spring washers), some increase friction (serrated/tooth washers), and some create a mechanical wedge effect (wedge-lock pair...

Quick visual markers to identify bolt grade The fastest, most reliable first step is a visual inspection of the bolt head. Manufacturers and standards use standardized head markings—lines, numbers, or stamped class codes—that directly indicate grade (imperial/SAE) or property class (metric). Look fo...

What Are Automotive Washers and Why They Matter Automotive washers are thin components used with bolts, screws, and nuts to distribute load, prevent loosening, protect surfaces, and improve sealing in vehicle assemblies. From engine mounting points to brake systems and interior fittings, washers pla...