Monthly Archives: October 2020

Not all fasteners require the use of a traditional screwdriver or wrench to install. Some of them are designed with a socketed head that fits an Allen key. Allen keys are small handheld and manually operated tools used for the … Read More

Crank handles have been around for centuries. Consisting of a mechanical arm that’s connected to a perpendicular rotating shaft, they are designed to convert circular motion into rotary or reciprocating motion. Pencil sharpers, for instance, often contain a crank handle. … Read More

Late-night infomercial hosts regale sleepy viewers with stories about bonding adhesives and glues that are supposedly better than nails, screws, and other mechanical fasteners at holding together two or more materials. Although durable, super-strong adhesives exist, you should never use … Read More

Consisting of a disc-shaped piece of material with a hole in the middle, washers are often used with bolts. They are typically used to distribute a bolt’s load more evenly to protect the joined workpiece from damage. Prior to driving … Read More

Handles are used to move an object or workpiece by hand. They are designed with a focus on ergonomics. Since they require manual hand-based operation — as opposed to automated tool-based operation — handles must be designed to comfortably fit … Read More

Not all machines consist of a single part. Many machines have dozens or even hundreds of parts. To prevent leaks around the surfaces where these parts meet, gaskets are used. Gaskets create a sealed mating surface between two or more … Read More

Machines are often held together with fasteners, one of the most common types being machine screws. From engines and appliances to industrial lathes and milling machines, countless machines contain machine screws. These otherwise simple fasteners join two or more parts. … Read More