Newest FAQs

Diagram of anchor bolt templates.

Light Pole Anchor Bolts

What Sized Anchor Bolts are Used for Light Poles?

Anchor bolts for light poles are configured in several ways. Ordering them can often be confusing and this FAQ will attempt to simplify that process. Light poles each have specific designs and the anchor bolts are designed to the exact specifications of each light pole to match the strength properties and pullout resistance needed to... Read more

Timber bolts and other fasteners used in marine construction.

Know Your Marine Fasteners

What Makes Marine Fasteners Different From Other Fasteners?

The purpose of using a marine fastener versus other fasteners is to withstand corrosive saltwater and other harsh marine environments. Marine fasteners are commonly made from stainless steel or carbon steel which has a corrosion-resistant coating applied to it. The reason that these materials would be preferred over other common fasteners is that they offer... Read more

Different ways that threaded rods are measured.

All Thread Rod is not Cut Equal

How Do You Cut All Thread Rod?

Fully threaded rods can be supplied by several different manufacturing methods depending on the job's requirements. What is all thread rod? All thread rod is a piece of steel round bar that is threaded across its entire length. They are used for a wide variety of purposes, from through bolts to concrete anchors. It might... Read more

Structural Bolt

ASTM A490 vs. ASTM A325 Bolts

Is There a Difference Between ASTM A490 and ASTM A325 Bolts?

The short answer is that F3125 Grade A490 heavy hex structural bolts have higher strength requirements than A325 heavy hex structural bolts. A325 bolts have a minimum tensile strength of 120ksi while A490 bolts have a tensile strength range of 150-173ksi. In addition, there are a few other differences shown below. Coatings A325 structural bolts... Read more

Split ring timber connector used by Portland Bolt.

Split Ring & Shear Plate Timber Groove Depth

Can you adjust the depth of the groove for a Split Ring Connector or Shear Plate Timber Connector?

In short, yes. The grooving tool for installing split rings and the dapping tool for installing shear plates allow the depth of the cut to be adjusted. Both tools have either two or four carriage bolts that set the depth of the groove cut into the wood. The headed ends of the bolts project from... Read more

Washer and Bolt Compatibility

Can F436 Hardened Washers Be Paired With A307 Hex Bolts?

The ASTM A307 specification does not provide any washer recommendations to go with fasteners specified to A307 grades A or B. Most commonly, a simple F844 flat washer is used with A307 fasteners. F844 washers have a larger outside diameter than F436 hardened washers. Since the A307 specification doesn’t recommend what to use, any washer... Read more

Galvanized Grade 5 Nuts

Is there a reason I can't find grade 5 hot-dip galvanized nuts? I'm only finding zinc plated grade 5 nuts.

SAE J429 Grade 5 falls under the SAE International specification, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers. While similar in function to ASTM, it is the scope of their standards that is different. SAE has a more narrowly focused range of standards. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) tend to use more bolts manufactured to SAE... Read more

Cast-in-Place vs. Post-Installed Anchors

What is the difference between cast-in-place anchors and post-installed anchors?

Anchor bolts come in several different configurations, such as 90-degree bent, headed, rods with threads on each end, or fully threaded rods to name a few. Anchor bolts can be made in many grades. shapes and sizes, however, there are two distinct categories of anchor bolts: post-installed anchors and cast-in-place anchors. Although both types essentially... Read more

Rotational Capacity Tests

Which bolts require a rotational capacity test?

The rotational capacity test, sometimes referred to as a ROCAP test or RC test, serves as a quality control measure against excessively over-tapped nuts, a material with insufficient ductility, and generally assures that the assembly of elements (bolt, nut, and washer) will function together as a unit to achieve the required preloads. The test intends... Read more

Tie Rod Adjustability

How much adjustability does a tie rod assembly provide?

When Portland Bolt calculates the length of the rods in a tie rod using the pin-to-pin length of the assembly, we assume that the rods will be threaded into the clevises the full length of the female threaded nut component (Dimension ‘N’ in the drawing below) plus an additional length equal to ½" or half... Read more