July 2007 Issue

• Your Domestic Manufacturer
• Ask The Expert
• Tech Update
• Project Spotlight
• Capabilities
• ASTM Tidbits

Next Issue

• Import All Thread Questions
• Project Spotlight: International Airport
• In House Testing
• Torque Chart

Your Domestic Manufacturer

Hello,

July is a month for picnics, fireworks, and celebrating with friends. For all of you who work on projects that require material that is 100% made in America (and those who don't) we are here to help. At Portland Bolt we only carry steel that is manufactured in the USA. We also inventory a wide selection of domestic hardware. This not only guarantees the highest quality, it also ensures your projects will not be delayed due to inspectors rejecting imported material.

Whatever your job requires, we are here to provide you with the answers and the material to help get it done.

Thanks for reading,
Portland Bolt Team

Ask the Expert

Can I really use bolts with rolled threads?

We often field questions about the differences between a bolt with rolled threads or one with cut threads. These inquiries also ask whether a fastener with a reduced body and rolled threads meet ASTM specifications. The short answer is threads of a mechanical fastener, regardless of whether it is a headed bolt, rod, or bent bolt, can be produced by either cutting or rolling. The differences, misconceptions, advantages, and drawbacks of each method are described in this month's "Ask the Expert" article. Read more

Tech Update

Thread Pitch Chart

Thread series cover designations of diameter/pitch combinations that are measured by the number of threads per inch (TPI) applied to a single diameter. There are three designations that are common to industrial fasteners. Click here to learn more and view or download a complete chart.

Project Spotlight

Our Contribution to Renewable Energy

Pixley California is home to a new ethanol plant. Portland Bolt was fortunate enough to participate as a supplier on this $100 million project that began in late May and will span for the next 15 months. According to the Valley Voice Newspaper, "The plant will produce 50 million gallons per year of the renewable fuel used to blend with gasoline." We knew that this project would require a substantial amount of fasteners and upon receiving the list of needed materials, we were pleased to see that the anchor bolts needed were right up our alley. Read more

Capabilities

Threading Bolts

Have you ever wondered how threads on a construction fastener are produced? If you guessed that the threads are cut into steel round bar you would be correct. Portland Bolt utilizes 14 Landis cut threaders which are capable of threading round bar ranging from 1/2" diameter through 6" diameter. However, that is not the only way threads are formed on a fastener. Threads can also be rolled rather than cut. Thread rolling is an extrusion process in which steel round bar is forced between two dies to form the threaded portion of a fastener. Read more

ASTM Tidbits

ASTM A193 was originally approved in 1936. This specification is heavily utilized in petroleum and chemical construction applications. The ASTM standard covers alloy steel and stainless steel bolting materials for high temperature service. This specification includes fasteners intended for use in pressure vessels, valves, flanges, and fittings. Although this material is often available in national coarse (UNC) thread pitches, if being used in traditional applications, threads are specified 8 threads per inch (8-UN) for diameters above one inch. Read more