Newest FAQs
Bent Bolt Dimensions
What Dimensional Specification Covers Bent Bolts?ASME, a global standards organization, provides dimensional guidelines and dimensional tolerances for a wide variety of fasteners and related items. Bent bolts, such as 90-degree bend anchor bolts, U-bolts, and eye bolts, fall under ASME B18.31.5. ASME B18.31.5 provides information regarding tolerances and quality, and their drawings also indicate where the bolts should be measured... Read more
Thread Angle
What is the thread angle degree requirement for threaded rods?Per ASME B1.1, threaded rods should be made at a 60 degree top angle. This is a standard that is produced throughout the United States, however, in recent years, Chinese manufacturers have figured out a way to save on steel costs by manufacturing threaded rods with 45 or 50 degree angles. This material does not... Read more
Clevis Pin Options
What options are available for different configurations of clevis pins?A tie rod assembly, used to brace steel columns, large timbers or canopies, often comes with clevises which are attached to mounting plates by a pin. These pins typically come in three configurations: headed pins with cotters, straight pins with cotters, and A325 structural bolts with a nut. Headed or ‘vertical’ pins possess a small... Read more
High Strength Square Nuts
Are high strength square nuts readily available?Most square nuts in the marketplace are made from low or medium carbon steel and are typically used with square head bolts. Their strength is not compatible with high strength bolts. These nuts are readily available in plain finish and hot-dip galvanized and are typically mass produced overseas. If you are looking for high strength... Read more
Measuring Thread Length
How does Portland Bolt measure thread length?We run the nut onto the bolt until it stops, and we measure from end of inward face of the nut to end of bolt. This does not include any thread runout which can range from ½” long for ¾” diameter and 1-1/4” long for 2-1/2” diameter and larger.
Unthreaded Shank
What do you call the unthreaded shank of a bolt?The unthreaded portion of a headed bolt is called the grip. The length of all headed bolts (except countersunk head bolts) are measured from underneath the head to the end of the threads. The overall bolt length is made up of thread length plus grip length.
A193 Grade B8 Class 2 Nut Requirement
Do A193 Grade B8 Class 2 bolts require a class 2 nut?ASTM A193 Grades B8 and B8M Class 2 are grades of stainless steel bolts that are strain hardened and therefore have higher yield and tensile strengths than A193 Grades B8 and B8M Class 1 bolts. However, the ASTM A193 specification does not indicate a nut requirement used with Class 2 bolts, other than simply A194... Read more
ASTM A193 vs ASTM F593
What are the differences between F593 and A193 stainless steel headed bolts?There are many differences between these two specifications. In order to understand these dissimilarities there are overviews of each specification below followed by a short summary of these variances. For the purposes of this FAQ we will be focusing on A193 Grades B8 (Type 304) and B8M (Type 316) versus F593 Alloy Group 1 (Type... Read more
Wet Storage Stains
What is a wet storage stain?A wet storage stain is a white, rust-like surface discoloration that occurs from storing newly hot-dip galvanized materials. Wet storage stains occur when recently hot-dip galvanized materials are subjected to a moisture-rich environment and/or the materials are packed so closely together that there is not enough air movement and oxygen for the parts to “breathe”.... Read more
Engineers on Staff
Does Portland Bolt have any engineers on staff to help design my project?Unfortunately, Portland Bolt does not have any engineers on staff. For this reason and due to liability issues, we are unable to make recommendations with regard to quantity, size, configuration, or grades of fasteners for specific applications. By the time we get involved in manufacturing bolts for a construction project, an architect and engineer have... Read more