Bolt grade/specification information wanted

[cityfarma]

Does anyone have a link that explains what grades of bolts mean? If I build something that requires bolts, what type, size and strength are bolts and how do I specify?

The last thing I want is to grab any old bolt that looks ok only to find it bends or breaks because it was too soft or has no shear strength. Especially if I am under it! (Yes, I know not to get under any raised equipment. )

Cityfarma

 

[srjones]

Identification Markings on Bolt Heads, ASTM & SAE Standards

I hope that helps. I know there's a lot more to it, but that should get you started

 

[SPYDERLK]

Great SAE chart! Cityfarma, If you are on the metric system the metric marks "8.8, 10.9, 12.9" relate roughly to SAE in order of escalating strength as follows:

Gr2, 8.8, Gr3, Gr5, 10.9, Gr8, 12.9

larry

 

[cityfarma]

Thanks for your responses. Yes Australia is officially metric and has been many years. The minor detail is that most hardware stores still have more imperical bolts, drills etc than metric!! And they are cheaper

Now to have good look at the info and work out what it all means as far as selecting the right bolt for the job.

Cityfarma

 

[SPYDERLK]

Thanks for your responses. Yes Australia is officially metric and has been many years. The minor detail is that most hardware stores still have more imperical bolts, drills etc than metric!! And they are cheaper

Now to have good look at the info and work out what it all means as far as selecting the right bolt for the job.

Cityfarma

Gr5 or 10.9 metric is strong enuf for most everything. You will almost never actually need weaker. Sometimes you go stronger in very strenuous cases or where you are cramped and need to use a smaller bolt to fit the space - in which case you would use Gr8 fine thread.
larry

 

[allenr]

A lot of the bolts sold in hardware stores here in South Australia are Whitworth and not many ring spanners or sockets will fit them.
Better to go SAE ie UNC(coarse) or UNF(fine) or metric, spanners will fit and SAE and Metric are often the same size head.
I recently bought about $2.5K of bolts including stainless from KJ Bolt (a google search will find them) in Queensland after obtaining several quotes, they were far cheaper.
They have an online listing of thousands of fasteners.(every length, grade, thread pitch etc) You can obtain a quote (via email) from their listing and then order online.
Freight to SA on the above was about $250, but I was still way ahead.

Regards,

allenr

 

[Soundguy]

In torque limiting application you may well need weaker. ( shear pin )Of course.. that's what a manual or manufacture spec sheet is for.. etc..

Soundguy

Gr5 or 10.9 metric is strong enuf for most everything. You will almost never actually need weaker. larry

 

[cityfarma]

Thanks to all especially srjones and allenr for link and site for information.

Here is a link found from allenr’s suggestion. It gives similar to srjone’s but with more information.

KJ Bolt - Trade Fasteners // Technical Info

This has been added to my favorites.

cityfarma

 

[rural2]

Thanks. Lots of interesting machining info in the index.

Identification Markings on Bolt Heads, ASTM & SAE Standards

I hope that helps. I know there's a lot more to it, but that should get you started

 

[bones1]

srjones, that link is great and so is the rest of this website Shopswarf Index Miscellaneous Spark