Knowledge Center

Nuts and Bolts come in a number of sizes and materials. There are different head styles, drives and points. With over 120 years of combined experience in the fastener industry, we feel that Bay Fasteners and Components gives you the best opportunity to get exactly what you need.

This page will highlight some of the questions and answers that we hear on a daily basis.

Although we have been doing this for a little while we still appreciate the opportunity to learn. If for some reason you have a question that is not covered on this page, please call us and we will get an answer for you.

We look forward to being your fastener resource.

Bay Fasteners and Components

What is thread pitch?

Thread pitch is simply the number of threads per inch(American) or the distance between threads(Metric) When you see a bolt designated as a 1/4-20 x 1-1/4" is the diameter, 20 threads per inch and 1-1/4" in length

Conversion Chart

One of the most critical issues in our industry is the correct identification and use of threaded fasteners. Because both imperial and metric bolts are used in the United States, it is easy to confuse them because they are close in size.

Head marking is one of the ways that we distinguish between imperial and metric bolts. Imperial bolts usually have three, six or nine small lines on the head. Metric bolts usually are identified with the grade of the bolt imprinted on the head(8.8 or 10.9). The following chart shows thread pitch of both imperial and metric bolts, tensile strength and head markings.

Please call or contact us below with any of your fastener questions.