Building Fasteners FAQ | Coarse Versus Fine Threads

Experts in the fastener industry often engage in a debate over which is better, fine threads versus coarse threads. There are pros and cons for each thread type and many professionals prefer building fasteners with a certain thread, as opposed to the other. Examine the differences and decide for yourself.
Pros and Cons of Fine Threads
Many fastener experts agree that fine threads provide a higher level of strength in tension, due to the fact that building fasteners with a fine thread have a more substantial tensile strength. Fine threads are not as strong in terms of stripping.
Building fasteners with fine threads are designed with a larger minor diameter, which in turn develops greater torsional and traverse shear strengths. They are also easier to tap into both hard and thin-walled materials. Fine threads also provide a smaller helix angle, which then allows for closer adjustment accuracy.
Fine threads are more prone to damage during the shipping phase. And in terms of plating and coatings, fine threads can only take a thin layer of treatment before threading adjustments need to be made.
Pros and Cons of Coarse Threads
Building fasteners with coarse threads are very common and deliver a host of benefits. They strip less often, particularly in the sensitive internal threads. Coarse threads also tend to deliver a higher resistance to fatigue.
Coarse threads are better when working with a brittle material or one that may break apart under the threads. While they may not work as well in hard materials, coarse threads also tend to develop cross threads less often. Contractors find that assembly and disassembly tend to go quicker with coarse threads.
Coarsely threaded building fasteners often arrive with less shipping damage. This results in less waste for the middleman, as well as fewer returns on the retailer’s end.
Not the strongest choice in tension, coarse threads have nevertheless gained in popularity over the last few decades. They tend to be less expensive to manufacture, making them a more cost effective choice. Unless a fine thread is specified, or the contractor prefers a fine thread, coarse threaded building fasteners will be chosen more often than not.

Understanding Thread Fit in Building Fasteners

Building fasteners play a major role in the assembly of a wide variety of structures. Different classes of thread fits apply various tolerances and allowances to the internal and external threads. There are three main classes, which are then split into A (external) and B (internal) subclasses.
What Is a Thread Fit?
Thread fit is defined as the measure of tightness and looseness that exists between the mating threads. Fasteners can be assembled and disassembled quickly based on the class of thread fit.
Class 1 Thread Fit
This class of thread fit is the loosest. If an application requires rapid assembly and disassembly class 1 is a good choice. Only seen on fine or coarse threads 0.25 inch and larger, this class of thread fit makes up a very small percentage of all fasteners on the market. It is extremely rare to see mechanical fasteners in this class.
Class 2 Thread Fit
The most popular thread fit classes found on the market, class 2A and 2B make up a majority of the industrial and commercial fasteners manufactured. This class is known for combining optimum levels of fastener performance with the highest levels of convenience and affordability.
Most building fasteners will fall into this category. Some are categorized in class 1 due to the looseness and speed of assembly, but class 3 fits are not applicable for typical building applications.
Class 3 Thread Fit
The closest toleranced fasteners fall into this thread fit class, which is known for delivering critical levels of safety and strength. Used in the aerospace industry and on connecting rods, this class of thread fit makes up a small, but essential portion of the fastener market.
You will also find a class 5 thread fit on coarse thread fasteners with a size of 1-inch or less. Known to have an interference fit, this class is seen in very specialized applications.
Most building fasteners will come with a class 3 thread fit and work well in your application. If the specifications call for class 1, talk to your distributor about sourcing out that product for you. An essential part of fastener design, the class of thread fit is an important detail.

How to Save Money with an Online Fastener Distributor

Businesses are always on the lookout for ways to save money. Cutting material costs is a valuable step and each dollar saved is a dollar more added to the bottom line. An online fastener distributor can help your company to reduce expenditures. The trick is to know the best and most efficient ways to manage your business relationship with this type of distributor.
How to Shop Prices
Online catalogues and price lists are often the starting point for negotiations. Your business may be able to get a better price by ordering bulk quantities or making a large commitment to buy. The distributor can often get a lower price from the manufacturer (or cut costs, if they are the manufacturer) by placing larger orders of popular products. Those savings are then passed on to the end user or contractor.
Use online prices to compare with other distributors as well. This can help you to negotiate the best price, but be careful that you don’t end up being a demanding customer. Work with the distributors and respect their business by not pushing the savings envelope too far. They have costs to cover and profits to report as well.
How to Order
You will almost always use a web-based purchase order system with an online fastener distributor. This is an efficient way to get your order processed. Calling in the order may cause duplicates and bog down their system, although some distributors offer a phone-in order service as well. Just be sure to choose which type of ordering you are going to use and stick to it.
One of the many benefits of an online fastener distributor is rapid delivery. You can often get your order quicker, due to the speed of web-based ordering. But sending in an order with time to spare helps both your employees and the distributor. Rush orders are possible, but do not need to be the norm. Stay organized and keep your stock up with the assistance of a trusted distributor.
Dealing with an online fastener distributor can help your company to save money. By handling the relationship well and obtaining price comparisons the cost of materials can be more effectively controlled.

How Alternative Energy Industry Experts Choose a Fastener Distributor

The alternative energy industry is growing and expanding every day. And contractors, retailers and designers involved in the industry will rely on a fastener distributor at various stages throughout their projects. The knowledge, expertise and guidance that this professional lends to the industry are invaluable. So how do those working in alternative energy go about finding an established distributor that can service their particular needs?

A Passion For the Industry

Because it is ever expanding and moving forward at breakneck speed, all of those involved in alternative energy need to have a passion for it. This field is often more than just a career; it is a way of life and a conviction to change the shape of our world. The first step to finding the right distributor is to find one that shares that passion.

Perhaps the fastener distributor works exclusively with alternative energy clients. Or maybe it is one of their focuses, along with other complimentary industries such as marine and mining. The knowledge gained in these other markets will help those working in alternative energy – such as standing up to extreme weather conditions or carrying massive loads.

Access to the Leading Products

Your fastener distributor must have access to a variety of manufacturers. Even if they prefer one over the others or have the ability to manufacturer custom fasteners, your projects require the very best products. And the distributor needs to have those available.

The Almighty Dollar

Price is obviously a factor, although it is only one of many involved in choosing a distributor. They must be able to offer your company competitive prices in order to keep your projects in budget, but the product lines and service offered hold more weight. Ask about bulk discounts, seasonal buys and whether premium charges for rush orders will apply.

Use the discounts available (such as a percentage discount for early payment) to save as much as possible. But be sure to choose the firm that will deliver what your projects need as opposed to simply opting for the cheapest price.

Building a relationship with a leading fastener distributor is a wise move for companies working in the alternative energy industry. The support and expertise offered will allow those firms to move forward in this fast-paced and important field.

Examining the Elements of Quality Control In Building Fasteners

Quality control is an essential part of every manufacturing and assembly process. Building fasteners need to be put to the test, ensuring their strength and reliability meets and exceeds industry standards. These small but vital elements of machines and structures should be dependable even in extreme conditions. And quality control helps to ensure that each unit is manufactured to the same level of dependability.

Quality Control Defined

In simple terms, quality control is the processes and systems that are maintained in order to effectively meet the needs of those using and depending on the product. Quality control applies to building fasteners during the manufacturing stage. But these products are also a part of quality control during the assembly stage of other products (such as machinery and buildings).

What is the Difference Between Quality Assurance and Quality Control?

The processes and steps involved in quality control programs bring about quality assurance. This term refers to the goal and fasteners reach this stage by going through the systems of quality control.

Fasteners, and the products that contain them, can only be certified and found to be compliant once they have attained quality assurance. Fastener distributors and the independent agencies that award certification often use quality assurance as a benchmark.

What Are Random Samples?

A process that is commonly seen in quality control programs, random sampling is used to capture a fair representation of the quality in a batch or run. Random samples are the building fasteners chosen and tested within the quality control program.

The number of random samples and tests performed is often predetermined by the program and may differ from industry to industry. Those fasteners used in alternative energy may be subject to more rigorous testing than those used in other industries.

Sampling plans will reveal a number of statistics, including the LTPD (also known as the Lot Tolerance Percent Defective). This figure is calculated in order to determine how many units in a batch would be found defective by the sampling plan. Those units falling within the LTPD would fail or be rejected 90 percent of the time. The figure is also helpful in determining those units that would garner acceptance through the sampling plan most of the time.

Quality control is an important process when dealing with building fasteners. Each brand or manufacturer should be able to present the steps of quality control is order to attain quality assurance, allowing the market to rely on their products.

Do You Need An Industry Specific Fastener Distributor?

Every industry is different. Even when there are similarities between various industries, different conditions, expectations and standards set them apart. Businesses can often benefit from building relationships with suppliers that understand the unique needs of their industry, but is that always necessary? How does a firm decide whether or not they are better to order from a specialty fastener distributor?

Pros and Cons of Specialty Fastener Distributors

There are advantages and disadvantages to limiting your purchasing in this way. A fastener distributor with extensive knowledge of your industry can and will offer guidance and direction when issues arise. If a project has unusual conditions that require unique solutions it will certainly save time to have an experienced distributor on your team. But what about for the average project and standard orders?

Insider knowledge is not required when you are placing an order for common fasteners. In this case you’ll be more interested in acquiring the best price, the highest level of service and the most efficient method of delivery. A fastener distributor that specializes in your industry may be able to give this to you, but you’ll need to compare them to a distributor with a well-rounded product base.

Achieving a Balance

Perhaps you would be best to make connections down both pathways. Finding a fastener distributor that specializes in your industry may open up more opportunities in the field. You may gain access to innovations and solutions before the competition, boosting your credibility and keeping you on the leading edge of the industry.

On the other hand, being in contact with other distributors that carry a broad range of fasteners covering a wide variety of industries will allow you to more accurately compare the prices and services offered. They may be more local to your jobsites and are more likely to offer special deals in terms of ordering and prices.

Always be sure that any fastener distributor that you deal with is experienced and established. Ask others in your industry for recommendations and work hard to build a solid working relationship with these essential suppliers. Chances are that you will depend on them more than originally anticipated.

Building Fasteners FAQ | What Is the Difference Between Compliance and Certification?

In the engineering world the subtle differences between compliance and certification can cause a major variance. Building fasteners used on a project may help a structure or system to attain compliance, but certification is another thing entirely. The issue of conformance tends to muddy the waters as well. Designers, contractors and fastener distributors need to understand the difference between these terms in order to ensure quality.


What Is Certification?


Certification is a recognized level of achievement, often industry specific and awarded by an independent and authorized agency. It may relate to the staff, products or processes within a company.

Most often certification results in a written recognition, such as an actual certificate. This may be displayed at a place of business and, in the case of products or processes, is often found on the packaging. Knowledgeable consumers will see and recognize this designation for what it is, lending the product or brand a higher level of perceived quality.


In some cases certification of a product or brand is necessary. Often building fasteners need to have been tested for quality assurance and strength in order to meet building codes and achieve certification. CSA is a globally known safety certification that covers a wide range of products in various industries.


What Is Compliance?


While certification is awarded to companies and products that have been found to reach or exceed stated levels of quality and/or durability, compliance has more to do with the design of the product or service. If the stated requirements are met, that brand, company, product or service will be deemed compliant.

Compliance may be granted through an independent agency. But the manufacturer may also claim this designation, as long as the requirements have been published by an unbiased or unrelated organization. Building fasteners often play an important role in achieving compliance.


Similar to compliance, conformance is achieved by following stated standards and limitations. Conformance most often relates to the end product, as opposed to the procedures or programs within an organization that are deemed compliant.


A Certificate of Compliance


In order to recognize an achievement in quality control, a certificate of compliance and/or a certificate of conformance will be awarded. This document is dated and authorized, providing confirmation to both the company and all those it works with.


Those who deal with building fasteners in any way will need to understand the differences between these terms. Although they all work together and relate to quality, they are not interchangeable in the true sense.

Building Fasteners FAQ | Understanding Plating and Heat Treatments

Building fasteners are subject to moisture, pressure, wind and other forces that will wear away at the metal. In order to offer greater strength and durability these fasteners are often treated. Plating and heat treatments are two of the most common ways to increase the reliability of building fasteners, even in the most extreme conditions.

Plating Defined

The process of plating is used in many industries. Jewelry and collectibles are plated with gold and silver. Plating has made inroads in the field of nanotechnology using thin film deposition. And perhaps the most common reason for plating continues to be applied in the fastener industry – corrosion resistance and improved durability.

The plating process involves coating a conductive surface with a thin layer of metal, thereby improving or altering the strength and/or appearance of the object. Plating is often done using electrolysis and is more distinctly termed electroplating. Electrogalvanization is a well-known example of this process.

Cadmium plating was a popular process in the past, but has since fallen out of favor. Although the metal has been found to be toxic to the environment the benefits it delivers to the aerospace and military industries have caused cadmium plating (or simply cad plating) to retain its popularity there.

In most other industries cadmium has been replaced by zinc plating or, in some instances, alloy plating. Both of these processes provide high levels of corrosion resistance using an economical method.

Heat Treatment Defined

Heat treatment is similar to plating in that it also changes the strength of a metal through the process. The difference is that heat treatment works to actually alter the characteristics of the alloy or metal, making it stronger, harder, more durable, tougher and more ductile.

Any process that alters the physical properties of an alloy or metal through either cooling or heating is considered heat treatment. For some metals, both extreme heating and extreme cooling are used in the treatment process.

Building fasteners may go through the process of heat treatment in order to attain certification in a specific industry. Many projects that are subject to extreme conditions will need fasteners that have been through heat treatment, while others will get along well with fasteners that have been plated. Read through your specs carefully to determine which type is needed on your project.