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Encyclopedia of Fasteners & Hardware Items
 
Courtesy of FastenerMart.com
 
—  HARDWARE Items  —

Eye Nuts

Create a "custom" eyebolt by combining an Eye Nut with your bolt or threaded rod and nut. The ultimate working load limit, however, will be determined by the bolt or threaded rod and nut you choose to use, and applies to straight vertical lifts only. Lifting at an angle significantly reduces the load limit.

Eyebolts and Screw Eyes

Drop Forged Regular Eyebolts and Machinery Regular Eyebolts are plain pattern eyebolts designed for vertical lifting only. Do not use them for lifting at an angle.

Drop Forged Shoulder Eyebolts and Machinery Shoulder Eyebolts are designed for both angled lifting--up to a maximum of 45 degrees--and vertical lifting. The shoulder of the eyebolt must be installed flush with the mounting surface. Working load limits apply to straight vertical lifts only--lifting at an angle reduces the load limit significantly.

Wire Eyebolts are intended for tie-downs and wire guiding. Do not use them for lifting.

Wire Screw Eyes Lag Screw Threaded are intended for use with wood mounting surfaces and as general wire and strand guides. They are not suitable for lifting applications.

Hooks

Also Called: Clevis Grab Hooks, Clevis Slip Hooks, Fixture Hooks, Grab Hooks, Safety Hooks, Lag Screw Hooks, S Hooks, Slip Hooks

Grab Hooks securely hold chains because they have a narrow opening. They are excellent for looping chain around a load to create a choker hold.

A wide opening in the "throat" of Slip Hooks allows chain to slide through and tighten around a load. They are ideal for securing or pulling loads. Caution: Slip Hooks are not to be used for overhead lifting with chain. If used with wire rope, be sure that the eye's diameter accepts the wire rope thimble.

Using the clevis pin, attach Clevis style hooks to chain links and other closed-end attachments.

Attach Eye style hooks to wire rope and other open-end components like shackles.

Wire Hooks Lag Screw Threaded have wood screw threads and a wire hook. They should not be used for lifting purposes.

S Hooks are wire shaped in the form of an "S." They should not be used for lifting purposes.

Links (Repair, Connecting)

Also Called: Chain Lap (Repair) Links (Open End Links)

Cold Shuts and Open End Links function as temporary chain repair links and should be sized one size larger than the proof coil used. Also, use them to attach light end fittings. Close them securely with either a bench vise or hammer. Cold Shuts must be peened and Open End Links must be closed completely to operate at rated capacity. Never reuse a Cold Shut or Open End Link once closed. Caution: Do not use for overhead lifting.

Use Connecting Links to temporarily attach end fittings. Also, connect same size chains and links. Caution: Do not use for overhead lifting.

Rod Ends

Also Called: Rod End Blanks

Make control arms and other levers using Blank Rod Ends. They can be cut, drilled, tapped, threaded and even welded to other shafts when necessary.

Screw Covers

Also Called: Beauty Caps, Screw Caps

Screw Covers are a decorative way to cover those unsightly screw heads. The small dome-shaped caps (1/2" OD) have a small protruding tip on their underside that is pressed into either Phillips or Square Drive flat screw heads. They are supplied in colors allowing the user to either match the adjacent surface or select a different color for visual accent.

Shackles (Anchor & Chain)

Shackles consist of two pieces: a "bow," which is its U-shaped body, and an accompanying pin. They are often used to make temporary connections to wire rope and chain. Anchor Shackles have a large bow so they can easily accommodate multiple attachments. The flat elongated bow of Chain Shackles--also called D Shackles--reduces rigging line movement, which reduces shackle wear.

Types of Pins

• No tools are needed to install Screw Pins, making them popular in situations where attachments or the shackle itself is frequently changed. Screw Pins should not be subjected to rotational forces or vibration that could loosen the pin.
• Safety Pins can be used for overhead lifting because the round pin is secured by a nut and cotter pin. Also called BNC (Bolt, Nut and Cotter), they are used in semi-permanent applications.
• Round Pins, also called loose pins, are used in semi-permanent installations. The pin is secured using a cotter pin.

Important Warnings

• Use only alloy steel shackles with chain when lifting overhead.
• Do not substitute the pin or bolt because the shackle's integrity could be compromised.
• Always avoid shock and impact loads.
• Before using, check for proper pin engagement and inspect for damage and wear.
• Working load limits are specified as straight vertical tension only--do not side load.
• Additional attachments decrease the working load limit.

Turnbuckles

Turnbuckles are screw assemblies that consist of a body--threaded at each end--and two threaded end fittings (either a hook or an eye). Turnbuckles are commonly used to make minor adjustments to cable length or tension. The turnbuckle body has internal threads--left-hand at one end and right-hand threads at the other end--while the end fittings have matching external threads--left-hand on one and right-hand threads on the other. Rotation of the turnbuckle body simultaneously adjusts each end fitting by the same amount so the end fittings should be installed equally. Choose from either Eye and Eye, Hook and Hook or Hook and Eye styles when selecting turnbuckles.

U Bolts

Standard U-bolts are supplied without a mounting plate. Some are supplied with and some without hex nuts.

U-Bolts with mounting Plates produce a more secure attachment. Supplied with hex nuts.

Use Square Bend U-bolts with metal channel and square tube.

Wire Rope Clips and Thimbles

Wire Rope Clips are commonly used to create loops at wire rope ends and whenever wire rope needs to be clamped. Thimbles are used with wire rope to distribute the load weight over a larger area and to protect the wire rope from abrading on sharp radius edges when looped. In order to provide maximum holding power, wire rope clips must be properly sized and installed. The rope size (diameter) and the size of the clip should be carefully matched. The number of clips required, the nut tightening torque and the length of wire rope turnback on which to install the clips are all dictated by the wire rope size. U-bolt sections should be installed on the short ("dead") end of the wire rope while the saddles contact the long ("live") end. Install one clip near the end of the "dead" end and another as close to the thimble as possible. Additional clips should be spaced equally between these two. Note that wire rope clips are not rated--the working load limit is determined by the wire rope. All assemblies should be tested to ensure they meet strength requirements prior to use. Caution: Because wire rope clips cannot properly grip plastic-coated wire rope, completely remove the coating where the U-bolt and saddle contact the wire rope.

Drop Forged Wire Rope Clips are for use in heavy duty applications.

Malleable Wire Rope Clips have a steel U-bolt and a malleable iron saddle. They offer an economical alternative for non-critical applications like fences. Caution: Never use them for overhead lifting.

Wire Rope Thimbles are designed to protect wire rope from damage. When used with wire rope clips or compression sleeves at loop ends, thimbles serve to evenly distribute the load and protect against abrasion, thus increasing life of the cable.

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