Choosing the Right Fasteners: A Critical Component of Your Project

Without fasteners holding things together, many of the everyday items we take for granted, from basic consumer goods to structural elements in buildings or parts in machinery, would be virtually nonexistent. These simple devices mechanically join two objects together, either permanently or temporarily.

Choosing the right fastener for your application involves several factors, such as materials, load requirements, strength, and durability to be used in a designated environment for the required period. It also means sourcing products from a well-regarded supplier that can meet individual needs, whether this is a small home project or commercial or industrial applications on a much larger scale.

The scope of fasteners is huge, but it goes along the lines of whether they are threaded or non-threaded. More common instances of threaded types include the wide range of bolts, used without or without corresponding nuts; dozens of different screws (wood and machine screws are the most obvious candidates); a broad selection of anchors in construction projects; and unthreaded types such as nails and rivets, used in things as common as hanging your family portrait or assembling vehicle components. 

Other instances include washers, pins, clips, retainers, studs, rods, threaded inserts, and more. If your project requires more than several types and in larger amounts, then sourcing what you need is easier through a well-stocked fastener supply company. 

Considerations for Easier Fastener Selection

Regardless of which type of fastener you'll be using, they all have common traits. When connecting two different parts or components, you'll have to consider the load requirements or the forces the fastener will bear under typical conditions. This includes the tensile and compression strengths of the fastener, and how they handle things like shear (which can snap any fastener in two), or the torque with which they need to be tightened to function as advertised.

Next is the choice of materials and whether they suit the setting. Steel and steel alloys (like stainless or carbon steel) are the prime choice of materials in this regard, but you'll also see fasteners made of other common metals, specifically aluminum, brass, bronze, copper, nickel, and others, as well as plastics such as Nylon. The correct materials ensure fasteners have the required hardness, strength, and resistance to unfavorable environmental factors, such as exposure to various chemicals or temperature extremes, that affect how they work and how long they last. Additional coatings and treatments prevent corrosion and advanced wear and add a layer of protection that can also lead to better aesthetics.

Technical details, such as head and drive types and sizing the fastener according to the job, make them easier and faster to install (when using the corresponding tools) and in dimensions that don't impede on other parts or look out of place. Head types vary, and you can choose between hex, flat, pan, button, socket, or countersunk fastener heads. You can install these using screwdrivers or drill bits that correspond to slotted, Pozidriv, hex, torx, or security drive heads.

Sizing refers to the overall diameter, or the total width, including the threaded portion of the fastener on the outside of the thread, the total length from just under the head to the tips (except countersunk types), and factors like the thread pitch, or the distance between each threaded protrusion. Dimensions can be stated in millimetres when sourcing fasteners in metric, or imperial units. You'll also find data about material grades (as well as strength), with higher numbers being better. This is stamped on the head. And lastly, take into account the size of matching nuts and washers. 

Lastly, consider getting all your bolts, screws, nuts, nails, and any other fasteners from a supplier that carries products that are certified for all types of uses, meaning fasteners won't pose hazards or safety traps due to inferior quality or production processes. For Australia, this entails that each product complies with specific codes and standards within each industry, such as the AS/NZS 1252 standard for fasteners used in structural engineering applications.

Choosing a Supplier

With the type, size, and materials of fasteners sorted, it's time to think about how and from where you'll be getting what you need. Finding the right fastener supply for your line of work or project entails choosing a supplier that offers the right quantity and quality of products, delivered on time to the specified address, and at the right price. 

Building business relationships takes time and mutual respect, so also look for companies that have an established customer base, and favorable purchasing or return options so no misunderstandings come to fruition. Here's what to look for: 

• Product range: Different fasteners are used for different applications, and suppliers with a larger inventory and a wider selection of fasteners will cater to more varied businesses. Variety is the key to finding what's needed. Most suppliers will stock standard hex bolts or wood screws but might fall short when it comes to specialized or proprietary products such as industrial pins or chemical anchors. 

• Quality and standardized products - Look for suppliers that house popular brands, offer the highest quality, and have locally or internationally-produced fasteners that meet current industry standards. This way you know that what you buy will work and last. 

• Pricing - buying in bulk for larger jobs and selecting varied fasteners for your DIY home project usually means different prices. Compare prices among several suppliers and ensure that they sell in bulk and at discounted rates or have customer loyalty programs that let you save the more you buy. 

• Online shopping and deliveries - all businesses transitioned in the post-pandemic period to offer their products in-store as well as online. If you're a working tradie or a bigger business, shopping online certainly has its benefits - you'll be spending less time, money, and hassle in getting goods. And all fasteners for sale usually reach customers within three shopping days, allowing you to plan your project in advance. 

• Customer service - staff and owners in the know will direct you to the right type of fasteners, in terms of sizes, materials, and specifics like thread pitch, grades, and head designs for the job at hand, especially in newer projects. They will also help out if there are any issues with orders, or when the wrong fasteners are delivered. Take into account return policies as well as after-sales support, and read online reviews to get a better picture of who you're dealing with.