Hardware and fasteners are usually a conundrum for most people. Unless you grew up with a dad who liked to fix things or had a preternatural attraction to hardware stores (ok, guilty as charged), you are probably at some point confused about specifying or discussing specifics when it comes to connection thingies.
I’m always on the lookout for ways to simplify the explanations and it gets harder as more and more types of fasteners get added to the possibilities pile.
If you really want to just go down the rabbit hole of fastener options, all you have to do is dive into the online catalogue at McMaster-Carr, purveyor of all things industrial.
But if you just want a simple, easy-to-understand diagram, go over to BoltDepot.com. It’s a family-owned hardware company in Massachusetts and specializes in fasteners.
They’ve put together a 32 page PDF of basic fastener terminology that includes full-size print out of fasteners so you can see the exact size you’re looking for, which will alleviate a trip to a Home Depot to wander through the haphazard hard department, trying to find someone to help you figure out what you need (don’t waste your time).
You will also have a lot better time getting some personalized customer service at Bolt Depot than you will from the other giant hardware suppliers.
BoltDepot.com
100 Research Road
Hingham, MA 02043
Mon-Sat 7:30am-5pm
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