Hardware Screws and Fasteners

Fasteners are hardware components that mechanically join multiple materials or objects together. These include bolts, screws, anchors, rivets, nails, spikes, and staples, which are inserted into or through a mounting surface to secure materials using mechanical friction or another fastener. Nuts, pins, safety lockwire, and retaining rings are installed onto other fasteners to hold them in place. Spacers, standoffs, washers, shims, and shim stock ensure proper spacing and alignment of components to prevent damage. Threaded rods and studs offer extended mounting areas for female-threaded fasteners. Threaded inserts screw into holes to repair or resize threading, ensuring a solid connection. Keys and key stock secure rotational components, providing a bearing surface to transmit power between a drive shaft and a driven component.

We distribute a wide range of fasteners including screws, bolts, rivets, spacers, and standoffs. Available in bulk quantities at competitive prices, our products are shipped quickly from multiple locations across the U.S.

Our extensive product selection features 17 types of screws in various styles, materials, finishes, and sizes. Most screw categories, including machine, self-drilling, self-tapping/sheet metal, thread-cutting, and thread-forming screws, offer stainless steel options.

Popular products like bolts, nuts, washers, rivets, and sockets are complemented by our extensive collection of spacers, standoffs, hex standoffs, and rack mounting cage nuts, often used in small electronics.

We specialize in bulk quantities for industrial electronic use and can frequently offer prices better than our already discounted multicarton rates.

Our support team is available to help you find the right parts for your applications. We offer extended customer service hours from 8 AM to 5 PM PST on business days. Contact us by phone or email for assistance.

Common Types

Hex bolts

, also known as hex cap screws, are used in machinery and construction. They can be paired with a nut or used in a tapped hole. Fully threaded hex bolts are referred to as tap bolts.

Wood screws

feature large threads and a smooth shank designed to pull two pieces of material together. They are suitable for use in wood and other soft materials.

Sheet metal screws

have sharp points and threads, making them ideal for driving directly into sheet metal. They can also be used in softer materials such as plastic, fiberglass, or wood.

Machine screws

are fully threaded and can be used with a nut or in a tapped hole. Some types are also known as stove bolts.

Socket screws

are machine screws with an internal hex socket (Allen) drive. Longer socket screws may have a smooth shank.

Lag bolts

, or lag screws, are large wood screws with hex heads, commonly used in wood construction and landscaping.

Carriage bolts

have smooth, domed heads with a square section underneath that pulls into the material to prevent spinning during installation.

Nuts

are used to fasten machine-threaded fasteners in through-hole applications. Lock nuts are designed to prevent loosening.

Washers

distribute the load over a greater surface area when tightening a bolt, screw, or nut. Lock washers are used to prevent loosening.

Grade/Class & Fastener Strength

The Grade (US) or Class (metric) of a fastener refers to the mechanical properties of the fastener material. Generally, a higher number indicates a stronger, more hardened (but also more brittle) fastener.

Note: In addition to these markings, the head will often have a manufacturer stamp.

Screw & Fastener Notation

Fastener Type, Drive Types, Head Styles, Material, Diameter, Thread Count (TPI), Length: Specifying fasteners might initially seem straightforward “I need sheet metal screws.” However, understanding and specifying fasteners involves several aspects that can help you get exactly what you need efficiently and cost-effectively. Here’s the key to understanding fastener notation: every fastener is identified using a full description that follows the same basic categories, regardless of its size, construction, or material.

Authorize Line(*):

• Abbatron
• Amatom*
• AMPG*
• Avdel*
• Bivar*
• Brumall Manufacturing
• Carey Manufacturing*
• CMC
• Elpakco*
• Essentra*
• Fastenal*
• Fastron*
• H.H. Smith*
• Keystone*
• Mcmaster
• MG Electrica
• Microplastic*
• Mill-Max*
• nVent
• Piolax*
• RAF*
• Richco*
• Thomas and Betts*
• Schroff*
• Seastorm*
• Southco*
• Stanley Fastners*
• Teknational*
• Zierick*
• Bivar*
• Elpakco
• Fan-S