Everything You Need to Know About Top Head Hex Bolts

From car engines, electronics and tools to ships, planes and even satellites, bolts are used to keep things together. There are bolts made from different types of materials and “surfaces” with one of the most popular bolts being hex head bolts. Hex head bolts are fasteners that have a hexagonal shaped head that can be made from different materials to suit a plethora of applications. A hex socket head bolt is the industry standard for fasteners with forged heads.

You can find them being used in the engineering and construction industry, as well as for household purposes too. They’re also used by a wide range of hobbyists and DIYers for a wide range of projects. Simply put, they’re one of the most versatile pieces of equipment, so to say, as they come in a wide range of variations. If you want to ensure a structure has high tensile strength properties, then you should simply use hex bolts as they are extremely reliable and can help provide support, especially for the base of a structure. You can even use hex bolts with wood, but they are mainly used to keep docks, bridges, and overhead highway structures together.

How to Measure a Hex Bolt

How-to-Measure-a-Hex-Bolt
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Different types of fasteners are measured differently due to the design of the head itself. Unlike flathead and oval head bolts, proper head hex bolts are measured starting from right under where the head ends and all the way to the last of threads down at the bottom of the bolt.

How to Remove Damaged Hex Bolt

How-to-Remove-Damaged-Hex-Bolt
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  1. Before you start removing the bolt, safety comes first, and this is where you need to make sure you wear protective equipment such as goggles and gloves. To make everything a lot easier, make sure to use some penetrating oil. But put just a couple of drops of it around the face of the bolt.
  2. After you’ve done that, tap the bolt gently with a hammer before you start doing anything else. Then, leave the penetrating oil to do its thing for a minute or two before you start. You’ll want to make sure that the bolt is completely lubricated all the way down to the stem. This type of oil can be WD-40 and PB blaster oil.
  3. If you’re not able to remove the bolt after you lubricate it, you should make a slit in the nut with a hammer and chisel. You’ll need to place the chisel in the centre of the bolt’s head and then strike a strong blow with the hammer in order to make a small and clean slit.
  4. There should be an opening big enough to fit a flat screwdriver. If not, then get a torque wrench and turn the bolt with it in a clockwise direction. In case this solution fails, consider cutting off the bolt’s head. You can use an electric drill to do this, and if that doesn’t solve the problem, use a bolt extractor kit. With the kit, you will definitely remove the bolt but you will need to use a torque wrench.

Types of Hex Bolts

Types-of-Hex-Bolts
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Brass

Brass hex bolts are used when you want a bolt with a high level of corrosion resistance, which is why they are more expensive than steel hex bolts.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel and steel hex bolts are strong, but stainless steel hex bolts are far more resistant to corrosion. Stainless steel bolts are the preferred choice by many users since they do not need a coating, making them ideal to be used in high-saline environments too.

Galvanized

This is another corrosion-resistant hex bolt that, unlike steel or brass, is a cost-effective one, and the finish it has disappears when the bolt is cut. Like stainless steel and brass head hex bolts, galvanised ones are suited for both indoor and outdoor use.

BZP

Bright zinc plated hex bolts make the bolt resistant to moisture but they won’t fend off corrosion. A BZP hex bolt is more stylish thanks to its uniform finish. Unlike all the above-mentioned bolts, BZP hex bolts are not meant to be used outdoors since they don’t prevent oxidation caused by external factors.

Partially-Threaded

The thread of a hex bolt can also be different, with the more ideal solution for alignment and resistance being a partially threaded hexagon head screw. They are going to be ideal if you’re using them in a project where strength isn’t as needed. But partially threaded bolts are more resistant to vibrations, as well as hear forces, thanks to the non-threaded portion.

Fully-Threaded

A fully-threaded hex bolt is one that is made to be used in heavy-duty applications. Being threaded all the way down, they are great for installation in pre-threaded holes, and they are made to provide excellent grip as well. Alignment and shear strength are a fully-threaded bolt’s core application since they spread after application to apply more pressure throughout its entire length.