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washer, machine component that is used in conjunction with a screw fastener such as a bolt and nut and that usually serves either to keep the screw from loosening or to distribute the load from the nut or bolt head over a larger area. To prevent loosening, several other types of washers are used.
How do you use a washer with a screw?
To use your washer and bolt properly, first insert the bolt into the washer. Next, slide the bolt and washer into the mounting hole. Once the bolt is threaded into the hole, begin turning the head of the bolt using the appropriate sized wrench. Tighten the bolt down to the washer until the head contacts the washer.
Where do washers go on screw?
If there is only one washer used with a nut/bolt, it usually goes on the nut side. The nut in most circumstances is more movable, and is more commonly turned to tighten the assembly. The washer helps prevent damage to the surface of the object being fastened.
Are washers needed for screws?
Threaded fasteners stress the material in which they are driven. Washers reduce the risk of such damage by evenly distributing the fastener’s load across the surface of the material. Not all materials require the use of washers.
Do washers make screws tighter?
If the material under the screw head is soft or prone to galling or has an unusually high coefficient of friction with the screw’s own material, a washer spreads the load and provides a low-friction surface for the screw head, permitting the screw to be tightened to a predictable tightness.
Which side of the washer goes down?
The general rule of thumb is that the flat side goes to the material, while the rounded side goes against the bolt or nut.
What order do bolts and washers go?
TYPICAL installation is screw, materials, flat washer, lock washer, nut. But for some reason, the engineer requires the assembly be in the order of screw, lock washer, flat washer, materials, nut. And that is the sequence you should follow.
How do lock washers work?
Locking washers work by exerting downward tension. Locking washers share this characteristic trait by exerting tension as well. When you twist a nut onto a bolt, it will press against the locking washer. The locking washer will then generate tension that secures the bolt in place.
What size washer do I need for screw?
A. It is important to note that when matching a washer with a screw or a bolt, the diameter of the shaft of the screw or bolt should be matched to the inner diameter of the washer. For example, a ¾-16 bolt should be matched with a ¾ washer.
Why is a washer called a washer?
These are commonly used to spread the load on thin sheet metal, and are named after their use on automobile fenders. They can also be used to make a connection to a hole that has been enlarged by rust or wear. In the UK, the name originally comes from the size of the old British penny.
What is a machine screw?
noun. a threaded fastener, either used with a nut or driven into a tapped hole, usually having a diameter of about 1/4 inch (6.4 millimeters) or less and a slotted head for tightening by a screwdriver. Compare cap screw, machine bolt.
What happens when you don’t use washers with screws?
Most notably, washers protect the surface from damage during installation. They distribute the pressure and prevent the fastener from moving or corroding. Skipping on washers can dramatically reduce the lifespan of how your product is put together. Ultimately, that leads to disaster for the product itself.
Do washers prevent loosening?
Washers of different types are used in bolted joint, with an understanding that they prevent or retard loosening.
How do you keep screws from getting loose?
To stop screws from loosening due to vibration, you can and should use washers. Depending on the application, you can also consider screws designed to stand up to vibrations. If nylon is a good fit for your application, it’s an excellent material for resisting vibrations.
Why are washers directional?
They are intended to prevent a fastener from loosening. These are washers with serrations that extend radially (inward or outward) to bite into the surface of the component. By design, they are supposed to “dig in” to the bolt head/nut and the substrate to prevent the fastener from loosening.
Do flat washers have a direction?
Yes, they are directional, based on the stamping.
Do washers go on both sides?
Washers can go both sides, but the primary function of a washer would be to stop vibration from loosening the nut, so there’s your first choice (with a slightly springy ‘split’ washer being a top choice) but also some nuts have locking technology….
Does the washer or lock washer go on first?
Method 1 of 3: When used correctly, a lock washer will hold the nut or other threaded fastener in place. To help it accomplish this, put the lock washer on first, below the fastener. If your project calls for other washers or hardware elements, they should go on before the lock washer so that it can hold them in place.
What does a stop nut do?
A locknut, also known as a lock nut, locking nut, self-locking nut, prevailing torque nut, stiff nut or elastic stop nut, is a nut that resists loosening under vibrations and torque.
Where do spring washers and flat washers go?
Unlike flat washers, which are placed on both the bolt and nut side, spring washers only go on the nut side of the fastener to establish a bond. A spring washer offers axial flexibility that’s intended to prevent loosening of the fastener with which it’s paired.
