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Nuts are hexagon shaped metal objects with a threaded hole through
them so that they can be attached to bolts. Bolts are cylindrical
objects with "threads" on the outside of them which enable them to be
threaded into nuts. The hexagon shaped end classifies a "bolt". A
"bolt" without an end is classified as a "lug" or "stud."
Most bolts have what is termed as a "right-handed" thread. This is a
spiraling thread. If you were inserting a right-handed threaded bolt
into a threaded hole, you would turn it clockwise. Some bolts have
"left-handed" threads. When inserting this type of bolt, you turn it
counter clockwise.
There are many "grades" of nuts and bolts. Grades depend on the
quality of the materials and the tolerances observed during the
manufacture of the nuts and bolts. The ends of bolts and the faces of
nuts are almost always marked with symbols denoting their quality
standards. Unfortunately, in recent years it has become apparent
through various government investigations, that unscrupulous
individuals have been importing nuts and bolts with symbols printed
on them that falsely denote a higher quality bolt. In other words,
these individuals import and sell lead with gold stamped on it. This
doesn't sound particularly dangerous, but in the cases of certain
airplane and amusement park incidents, it has been proven that such a
business deal, in conjunction with an innocuous object such as a nut
or a bolt, can lead to tragedy.
Nuts and bolts are often separated by washers. Washers have many
shapes and sizes, but serve one purpose. This purpose is to give the
nut and the bolt a firm hardened surface for bedding against. The
parts that you put together with nuts and bolts are usually not as
strong as the nuts and bolts themselves. The washers allow the nuts
and bolts to be fully tightened down, providing a wider area to
spread out the force of the tightening. Washers keep the nuts and
bolts from digging into the material when they are tightened. Washers
shaped like a broken section of a coil are called "lock washers."
They are designed to prevent the nut from rattling loose.
"Allen" bolts have socket heads, or a recessed hexagon shaped hole in
the top. You need Allen keys or wrenches to tighten or loosen the
Allen bolts.
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