There are a few tricks and disciplines you can implement to
prevent your project from getting damaged during the build. Marring wood or
metal after placing much time, energy, and heart into a project can be quite
defeating. You also know that Bessey clamps are
like another set of hands, and your project may not be completed without them.
What can you do to stop potential damage from your clamps?
Here
are some simple tricks to prevent marring when clamping a project together:
Keep them clean. Wipe them off between
uses. A craftsperson understands the importance of keeping tools clean and
in good shape. The same idea applies to clamps.
Use some wood glue and a
clamping caul. Apply
a thin layer of wood glue to a scrap piece of wood, and place
it between your clamp and the wood. Now, you can open the clamp wide
and place it on your project. Instead of having metal or plastic scraping
your job, you will have wood-on-wood – a much better choice.
Grab your painter’s tape or a
piece of leather. Place
the tape on the head of your clamps or insert leather in between the clamp
and project.
Besides
knowing how to protect your next project, it helps to know which clamp to grab.
Not every type is up to the same tasks and knowing what to use may seem
daunting. Check out Ottawa Fastener Supply’s inventory. We have what you need
to get the job done and can answer your questions about
clamps when you call or contact us today.
Gunk build-up on your favourite clamps can make life in the shop frustrating. By properly cleaning and maintaining your trusted extra set of hands, you ensure many years of usefulness and productive project builds. Keeping your Bessey clamps clean is the simplest thing you can do to ensure they work when you need them to.
Tips to keep your clamps in great shape for years to come
With regular maintenance and care, you can expect to get many years of use from your clamps. You should never be without these handy tools. Yet, there will come a time when you will need to retire your old ones and buy new ones. How long should you anticipate before you have to breakdown and grab a new set ofBessey clamps? It depends.
Here are some signs that your clamps have reached their usefulness:
Glue build-up makes them hard to work with. If you fail to keep your clamps clean and wipe off the glue when you are done with a project, then you may grow frustrated that they no longer work as they did when they were new.
Rust has appeared. After a while, rust can start showing up, affecting the sliding action of the clamp. Rust can also make your clamps noisy to use.
Overall wear and tear. Ideally, this won’t happen for many years if you make it a point to regularly clean, oil, and store your clamps. However, you may find that all the hours over the years of projects have caught up to the materials, and your clamps no longer work as they should.
No matter how long you keep your clamps, Ottawa Fastener Supply has new ones to replace the old dilapidated ones. Our team is happy to answer your questions about clamps and help you find the best replacements. We stock a huge inventory of clamps, including the tried-and-true Bessey Clamp. Contact us today and get your replacement clamps fast.
You can never have too many clamps. There are many different types used for specific purposes, and then there are those that are so versatile, no shop would be without them. Do you know what clamp to use when? Ottawa Fastener Supply has tons of clamps available for any type of project. We believe you should know as much as possible about clamps to make better decisions for your upcoming project requirements.
Here are 10 common questions asked about what may be your greatest shop treasure:
1. What are clamps used for?
Clamps are handy tools used to secure parts of a project you are working on. Often, they are used in woodworking and carpentry applications to hold a piece of wood to a workbench for sawing or chiseling. They may also be used in metalworking for welding, grinding, or fabrication since they can hold many different types of metals, like steel, iron, aluminum, and copper. You might use a clamp for drilling, filing, gluing, or painting. Basically, anytime you need something held still so that you can perform one of these tasks, a clamp is the first device you should reach for.
2. How many different types of clamps are there?
The different types of clamps available are numerous. It is possible to have 36 types in your shop or toolbox. For example, you may have a sash clamp for window or door work. You may have a spring clamp that you can operate with one hand and use it for carpentry, jewelry making, or other crafts. Bench clamps will hold your items in place on your bench. Many woodworking shops have bench vices to secure wood together, so you can saw, drill, sand, or plane them. Finally, G or C clamps may be the most commonly used clamp in many woodworking shops.
3. How many different types of clamps do I need to keep in my toolbox at home?
Depending on who you speak with, you may get many different answers as to what types of clamps you should keep in your toolbox. In short, we believe you can never have enough clamps, but if you were to only have a few, here is what we recommend:
Pipe Clamps – These may be the cheapest you can own. Once you buy the jaws, you can get any length of pipe you want for your projects.
Bar Clamps – This type of clamp can easily be the most used in your toolbox. They come in a variety of sizes and can be used for gluing, holding stop blocks, and being your second set of hands.
Strap Clamps – Use this one for strapping up something with four sides, like a picture frame.
C (or G) Clamp – This may be the standard go-to clamp for woodworking and metalworking at low costs.
4. What type of clamp should I get, if I’m only going to have one type?
If you are starting out building your arsenal of clamps with a limited budget, begin with purchasing pipe clamp fixtures, eight should do the trick. A good size to start with is 2 cm (¾”) fixtures. Next you will need the pipes to go with the clamps. Grab a couple of 2 cm (¾”) pipes in 61 cm (24”) and 121 cm (48”) lengths. To make the pipes longer for bigger projects, grab about four couplers. Bonus Tip: Purchase four 31 cm (12”) long one-handed ratcheting bar clamps for quick clamping situations. These two types together should aid almost all your shop needs until you can purchase more.
5. What are some other types of clamps and what are they used for?
You may be tempted to buy a few of every type, which may leave you overwhelmed when the time comes to use them. While the shop motto is that you can never have enough clamps, it is more important to have the right clamp for the job you are doing. Consider these types and their best-use for your projects:
Trigger-Activated Bar Clamp (Quick Clamps) – This amazing clamp can be tightened with one hand while you use your other hand to hold the piece. You can find bar lengths ranging from 15 cm to 127 cm (6” to 50”).
Parallel-Jaw Clamp – Use these versatile tools for large glue-ups. They have jaws that remain fixed at 90 degrees to the bar and parallel to each other.
C-Clamp or Carriage Clamp – They are great for narrower workpieces when you need lots of pressure at many points, such as a laminating job. Boat builders use these for attaching thin laminations to curved hulls.
Corner Clamp – When mitering pieces together, these clamps ensure you get square corners because their jaws are set at 90-degree angles.
6. Which is better: bar clamp or pipe clamp?
It depends on the application. Pipe clamps can be added to your toolbox for minimal monetary outlay. They are very versatile since you can get any length of pipe and create a new clamp. They are especially good for making cabinet components and temporary tabletops. You can even use these clamps for storing ropes and hoses, overhead pipe support, and fixing small leaks. While they offer much in clamping pressure, if you don’t position these clamps in the right place, you could face challenges.
Bar clamps hold large and heavy pieces and can be crossed over another bar clamp for big projects. They are generally used in joinery, carpentry, and sometimes, metalworking. Use these for making furniture and welding. Bar clamps can get pricey, and you are limited by the bar length, so you will have to buy more than a few to fulfil your project requirements. However, they do offer more in pound pressure compared to pipe clamps.
7. How long before I need to replace my clamps?
That depends on how well you care for your clamps. If you leave glue build-up on them, then eventually, you will get frustrated with trying to use them, and you may throw them out. Rust can appear over time. This can affect the sliding action of a clamp and make annoying hinging noises when you use them. Ideally, well-maintained clamps could last you your lifetime. Think of your clamps as tools that could potentially never wear out when given the proper attention with regular cleaning, oiling, and storing. Nothing is foolproof, though, and eventually your clamps will show evidence of wear and tear because of the many projects you create. When that happens, get rid of them and replace them with new ones that will function optimally to deliver the results you want.
8. How do I take care of my clamps?
For new bar clamps, begin with removing any labels on the bar, then wiping it down with a clean cloth dipped in mineral spirits. Your goal is to remove any adhesive and the bar is clean. You may even want to add a coat of paste wax to the bar and buff it clean, so you keep glue from sticking later.
While using your clamps, you can prevent glue build-up by using a protective barrier between your clamp and the piece. This barrier can be painter’s tape, packing tape, or parchment paper. After you are done using a clamp on a project, remove it immediately, wipe it down with a dry cloth, and add oil or paste wax as needed to moving parts. Then store them away from heat sources attached to a shelf if possible.
Glue build-up can interfere with your clamp’s ability to move and may damage your project. You can remove dried glue by softening it with a hot rag or heat gun, and then scraping the glue off with a putty knife. For rust, you may try a spray-on rust remover and steel wool.
9. How long should a clamp stay on?
Clamps are temporary tools that are meant to be used short-term. For woodworking projects, you need to remove it once your project is dry or cured. This can be in as little as 30 minutes or may take as long as 24 hours, depending on the glue’s specifications and the humidity in the air. The key principle to remember is to not leave them on for longer than necessary.
10. How do I keep my project from getting damaged by the clamps?
There is nothing like pouring your heart and soul into a project only to have it marred by your clamps. To avoid this, be sure your clamps are clean. Wipe them off if you need to. Then, apply a thin layer of wood glue. Add a scrap piece of wood, called a clamping caul, between your project and your clamp. Open the clamp wide, slide over the piece and clamping caul, and tighten the clamp down. Other options include placing painter’s tape on the part of your clamp that will be in contact with the project or use a piece of leather in between.
Ensure your glue sets well when you apply pressure from the right clamp for the project. If you aren’t sure what works best, then give us a call at one of our convenient locations. We love sharing knowledge and answering questions related to your next project!
Ask anyone that uses clamps, and they will tell you that you can never have enough in your shop or toolbox. Why is that? Because these devices are like having an extra set of hands that secure parts of a project you are working on. You may use them for sawing, chiseling, welding, grinding, or fabrication.
So how many different types of clamps are there and what are they used for?
It’s possible to have more than 36 different kinds of clamps sitting in your workshop. They all have different uses, but one thing remains the same – when you need something held together, a clamp is your best friend.
Here are some types of clamps that make life in the workshop much easier:
Sash – Use this for windows and doors.
Spring – This is operated with one hand and has a spring under tension to hold things in place for a ton of different projects.
Bench – Think of bench vises. These handy tools secure to your workbench and hold items you want to saw, drill, sand, or plane on.
G and C – Possibly the most common clamps, they look like their respective letters and have a threaded rod that you twist to tighten or loosen.
Pipe – These are probably the least expensive and most versatile. First you buy a set of jaws, and then you choose any length of pipe.
Strap – Utilize this type to hold a picture frame together.
The list can go on and on. Save time and energy for your project when you find the best type of clamp by contacting the team at Ottawa Fastener Supply. We understand the reality of not having enough clamps or the right type. Avoid the frustration of not having what you need when you head out to the workshop. Contact us today for all the clamps you need, and we can guide you on how to choose the right ones for the job.
Many people assume that stainless steel is the strongest metal available and should be used whenever possible and for just about any application. In reality, it is a soft metal comprised of an alloy of low carbon steel and chromium. Because the low carbon steel cannot be hardened, stainless steel is actually weaker than regular steel. That doesn’t mean you should never use it. On the contrary! You may be surprised.
Stainless steel is a fantastic choice when you build consumer products like surgical and culinary implements. You may wonder why. It’s simple. Stainless steel has excellent hygienic properties, is easy to fabricate, and is pleasant to look at. Who wouldn’t want that?
However, for your industrial-type projects, you should consider choosing the grades of fasteners best suited for the job. The team at Ottawa Fastener Supply can discuss the best grade, including these common ones:
18-8/304 – Consider these marine fasteners when working on a job with fresh and soft water applications
316 – Ideal for saltwater uses like boats, docks, piers, and pools
410 – Pull together your home with roofing screws, siding screws, and self-tapping screws
Find the right grade of steel based on your project’s needs. Ottawa Fastener Supply has every kind of fastener you could want and we are happy to assist you with making the best choices. We have a wealth of knowledge at your disposal. Give us a call today and let’s get building!
It happens all the time. You start working on a home or car repair project, and you need a bolt. No problem, you think, as you walk to your trusty coffee can full of nuts, bolts, and screws. You grab an imperial fastener and head back to your task believing that your metric wrench can handle securing it. You will be sorely disappointed as these two types of fasteners cannot swap out easily.
Avoid getting left without the right type of bolt when you understand the differences between imperial and metric grades. Basically, they break down as such:
Metric:
As the name suggests, a metric bolt is a measure using the metric system even if they are made in the United States.
They are sized in millimeters.
Their tensile strength (or how strong it is) is found by looking at the markings on the bolt head.
Imperial (or Standard):
You can find them in inches or fractions of inches.
There are two basic types – fine thread and coarse thread.
The strength is found by checking the markings on the head of the bolt. For instance, 3 dashes indicates Grade 5, while 6 dashes indicates Grade 8.
Finding the right bolt, screw, or nail for your project starts with a chat with the knowledgeable staff at Ottawa Fastener Supply. We have hundreds of options and the know-how to help you decide your best options. Additionally, we have great lines of tools to ensure your fasteners are secured properly. Go ahead and give us a call with all your questions. We can handle it!
Do you know when is the best instance for using a lock nut instead of a lock washer? The debate may rage based on who you speak to, but both give your bolts a tight fit. To make the right decision, consider the final environment and type of application. Here is the basic breakdown of when you will want to use alocknut over a lock washer:
When you need something that can handle the pressure that comes with torquing down a bolt or screw, choose a lock washer.
Another time to use a lock washer is when you are working on a project where the bolt will be in an area with a lot of heat or vibration, such as your car. For example, your muffler handles an enormous amount of heat and vibrations during your daily drive.
For those home projects that neither need nor can handle the torque required to tighten it, use a locknut. An example of an ideal use for locknuts is light fixtures.
Get the tightest fit for your project when you use a locknut or lock washer appropriately. These tiny tools make your bolts tight, so you can rest assured that what you need fastened, will stay fastened! Why not keep a selection available for quick fix-ups? The crew at Ottawa Fastener Supply can get you set up with the best selection for the general uses around your home and work place.
The world of fasteners is expansive. Knowing when to use a fine thread bolt versus a coarse thread bolt helps ensure you have the right fastener for the job. You may think one screw will do the same as any other, but that isn’t necessarily the case. Remember that having the best tool in your hands makes things move along smoothly. Here are the basics in choosing when to pick afine thread boltor screw:
You have a piece of metal that you want to affix to another. In this case, you should pick a fine threaded bolt.
You have two metal pieces that you want to affix together with a washer and nut. This case also calls for a fine threaded bolt.
When you have pre-threaded metal parts, grab your fine threaded fasteners for the tightening.
If you need to make fine adjustments or have a piece that will be exposed to vibrations, choose the fine threads.
Coarse threaded fasteners are handy for most other applications as they resist stripping and nicking. They are also much faster and easier to use.
Pick the right fasteners for your next project with help from the team at Ottawa Fastener Supply. We house all the nuts, bolts, and tools you could imagine. Give us a call to pick our brains regarding all things related to fasteners. Then head out to build or fix those items left on your list. Need hand tools to tighten those bolts? We can help with that, too!
Don’t be fooled. Just because your favourite fastener happens to be made
of stainless steel does not mean it is impervious to rust. It is true. You may
even find rust in as little as four or five days depending on the grade of
steel used.
That means it is possible to walk out on your dock at the yacht club and
find bolts discoloured in iron oxide. You might even see red streaks running
down your shingles from rusted roofing nails.
Your
nuts and bolts are highly corrosion resistant.
They
have an invisible oxide coating from the presence of chromium in the alloy
that protects the steel.
How do you ensure you do not have to deal with rust?
Choose
the best grade possible for the environment the fastener will be exposed
to.
Use
paint on your fasteners to minimize the surface area exposed.
Spray
them with a zinc-based lacquer before securing them.
Keep
stainless steel fasteners clean and dry when possible.
Before you start your Honey-Do list or next contractor project, consider
the type of fasteners you will need, and how they will be used. If you are
building a dock, then consider a grade of 316. Considering re-roofing a home?
You will want a grade 410.
Talk to the team at Ottawa
Fastener Supply for help finding the best stainless steel
bolts, screws, and nuts. We have a wealth of knowledge at your disposal. Give
us a call at and know you will get exactly what you need.
When working on your home improvement project, you not only want to have the right tools for the job, but you need the right fasteners. Do you know what you are looking for when you want to attach your 2 x 4 boards to your 4 x 4 posts?
Fasteners are more tools in your toolbox. They are strong arms of your project holding two pieces of material together. The pieces can be made of wood, metal, or some polymer material. The joint is non-permanent since technically both parts can be separated later down the road. Here are some additional points to keep in mind:
Additionally, each type of fastener can be made of different materials that fit your project specifications, such as:
Carbon Steel
Alloy Steel
Stainless Steel
Titanium
Aluminum
You can find your bolts, nuts, and other fasteners with coating to slow corrosion or completely uncoated. If you are not sure which type will work the best for your project, ask us. We’ll be glad to help.
Choosing the right tools aids in making your next project run smoother. Sometimes, finding the best fastener requires assistance from a knowledgeable team focused on your success. Before you begin your weekend Honey-Do list, contact us and let us help you obtain the correct fasteners so that you get the results you are looking for. We are happy to share our knowledge and expertise. Give us a call today!
Choosingthe best fastenerfor your project helps ensure it is built strong and will last for years. However, walking down the aisle of a hardware store and seeing hundreds of boxes of bolts, nuts, and screws overwhelms even the most hardened carpenter. Why so many different kinds? A bolt is a bolt is a bolt…right? They all do the same job, so why are there stainless steel and galvanized steel? Isn’t stainless the strongest? Does stainless steel ever rust or corrode? When is the best time and application for imperial sizes over metric?
If you have ever stood in the middle of a fastener aisle and scratched your head in confusion and frustration, you are in the right place. At Ottawa Fastener Supply, we understand. We make it our mission to provide contractors and DIY warriors with the correct type of fastener for their projects. We are happy to take time and chat about what you are building or repairing and then find the best nuts, bolts, or screws for the mission. We even have a world-famous wall of fasteners just waiting for you to explore.
It is helpful to combat feelings of overwhelm with knowledge. Before you step foot in any hardware or home improvement store, check out the answers to these seven most commonly asked questions in Ottawa about fasteners.
What are fasteners?
Fasteners are tools that hold two pieces together in a non-permanent joint. For example, using a deck screw to attach a deck board to a ledger board creates a joint. Because in theory, these two pieces can be separated, they are considered non-permanent. Unless you are welding, you will most likely be creating non-permanent joints using your drill or screwdriver.
We most commonly think of bolts and screws as fasteners. The idea is correct but not complete. Other fastener categories include nuts, concrete anchors, inserts, washers, threaded rods, rivets, and retaining rings.
As a weekend DIY warrior or a contractor, understanding the different types of fasteners and their best uses can make or break your project. You can find screws, bolts, and nuts in carbon steel, alloy steel, stainless steel, Inconel stainless steel, titanium, and aluminum. They can be coated, which slows corrosion or uncoated. Each type serves a specific purpose.
How strong are stainless steel fasteners?
People believe that stainless steel is stronger than regular steel, but that is not necessarily the case. You may hear it referred to as a soft metal. It is an alloy of low carbon steel and chromium. The low carbon steel cannot be hardened, so it is technically weaker than regular steel.
Stainless steel is popular to use for consumer products. It has hygienic properties, making it useful for surgical and culinary products. It is easy to fabricate and is appealing to the eye. That doesn’t mean it is the best choice for industrial-type projects.
To enhance its strength, stainless steel comes in different grades. For example, 18-8 stainless is comprised of about 18% chromium and 8% nickel and is used primarily for hardware. Stainless 316 is resistant to saltwater and chlorine environments, while stainless 410 is harder than 18-8.
Here are some uses of common grades of stainless steel fasteners:
18-8: marine application both fresh and soft water
305: deck screws for use with wood or composite boards
316: saltwater application – boats, docks, piers, and pools
410: roofing screws, siding screws, and self-tapping screws
Will stainless steel fasteners ever rust?
It is possible for stainless steel fasteners to rust even though they are highly corrosion resistant. This type of steel has the magical power to self-repair. It has an invisible oxide coating that protects the steel from external factors. This adds to its ability to fight rust, especially in an oxygen-rich environment.
To ensure your fasteners will not rust, you will want to choose the best grade for the environment the screws and bolts will be exposed to. Are you building a dock or pier for the local yacht club by the sea? Then it would be best if you choose grade 316 stainless steel. If you are re-roofing a residential home, then you want to consider 410 stainless.
What is the difference between the grades in Metric and Imperial bolts?
The main difference between the grades in metric and imperial bolts is how each is measured. Metric bolt heads are measured in millimeters while Imperial (or standard) are measured in inches or fractions of inches.
Metric bolts utilize the metric system of measurement, even if they are designed in the United States. You can find markings on the heads of metric fasteners that indicate how strong the bolt is, or what’s called its tensile strength.
You will find standard sized fasteners primarily come from the United States. The two basic types of standard bolts are found in the Unified National fine thread and coarse thread. You will not usually find numeric markings on the heads. Instead, you will see lines on the heads. To discover the strength of an imperial bolt, you have to measure the number of threads.
Do I need to pre-drill holes for screwing into wood? Steel? Rock?
It pays to drill pilot holes before screwing in your fastener. Pre-drilling saves you heartache and frustration as you progress through your project.
Let’s take wood. When you drive a screw into wood without pre-drilling a hole, you push the wood fibers out of the way to make room for the fastener. The displaced threads put added pressure on the screw and can cause cracking and splitting of the wood. By creating pilot holes, your screw will not break off, and the wood will not crack.
Screws are not made to drill through metal easily. You may be able to use a self-drilling fastener; however, you can use pre-drilling to save your material and your patience when you don’t have any. You can also use any drill. You just want to use the best choice in drill bits for the material you’re working with.
For rock, you want to use a hammer drill because the material is much harder than wood and steel. You will also want to grab some masonry drill bits.
When should I use fine thread nuts/bolts?
You will want to use fine threaded bolts when working with metal. For example, you have an already threaded piece of metal that you affix to another piece of metal. It also applies if you have two metal pieces that need fastening together with a washer and nut.
In short, fine threaded nuts and bolts work best with pre-threaded metal parts. Fine threaded nuts and bolts are great for applications that need finer adjustments, exposed to many vibrations, and require less torque to tighten.
For most applications, you can use a coarse threaded fastener. They are resistant to stripping, less likely to nick, and are easier and faster to assemble.
When should I use a lock washer vs. a lock nut?
Either choice will give you a tight fit for your bolts. There is a bit of a difference based on the type and environment of the application. Don’t worry. There are just as many types of lock nuts and lock washers as opportunities to use them!
A lock washer can handle the pressure of torqueing a bolt or screw down and is best used for those projects where there is a lot of heat or vibration. Consider if you are working on your car’s alternator or changing the muffler. There is no other place that you can get quite the combination of heat and vibration than your daily drive.
You will find locknuts used primarily in home projects that don’t need or cannot handle a lot of torque to tighten it. These might include light fixtures.
Ottawa’s World-Famous Wall of Fasteners Has What You Need
Find the perfect fit of fastener for your next project when you stop by one of Ottawa Fastener Supply’s two convenient locations. Come in and talk with us about your needs. Our team of experts will happily answer your questions and help you find just what you need from our wall of fasteners. No more frustrating decisions about the correct type of bolt or screw—come see us today!
Original Source: https://www.ottawafastenersupply.com/7-commonly-asked-questions-about-fasteners-in-2020/
