How to Use Nuts, Bolts and Washers and When to Use Threaded Bars or Nuts and Bolts

Bolts are used to join pieces together either permanently or temporarily. Many steel structures, including buildings, are simply bolted together. For example, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was originally a temporary structure and after twenty years it was to be dismantled. For this reason most of the steel components were bolted together. However, the tower has lasted well over a hundred years.

Much of the structure of the Empire State Building in the USA is also bolted together. Nuts and bolts can also be used to fix together small structures such as furniture. Nuts and bolts come in many different types and sizes and some are shown below.

Anchor fixings are mostly used to fix timber and steel to masonry or concrete.

Coach bolts have a square collar under the domed head and this locks into the wood when the nut is tightened. A washer is normally placed before the nut to stop it sinking into the wood as it is turned. Socket sets and Spanners can be bought from our very own DIY superstore.

Plasterboard fixings come in all shapes and sizes and the weight of the object you are trying to fix usually determines which type you use. Scroll down to our Top Tools area to purchase plasterboard fixings.

Two spanners are needed to tighten this nut and bolt. The first spanner fits round the hexagonal head of the bolt and a second spanner is used to tighten the hexagonal nut.

Frame fixings are pushed through a pre drilled hole in the frame and surrounding structure. They are then pushed in so only the metal screw is showing. The screw is then screwed in. Hammer Screws are inserted the same way but the screw is hammered in rather than screwed.

The countersunk machine screw fits level with the surface of the wood/metal/plastic. A screwdriver is used to keep the bolt still whilst the wing nut is tightened by hand. Countersinking can be done with ordinary wood screws also.

Wing nuts are used to make the adjustment of a secured object as easy as possible.

The Aercon Anchor designed to be screwed into airated concrete or blocks to provide a threaded socket enabling a Secure Fixing Point.

A plain washer prevents the nut sinking into the surface of the wood/plastic/metal.

If there is a need to prevent a nut and bolt loosening a spring washer is used.

Below is an example of a concrete bolt