4 Types of Fasteners Used for Thin-Walled Joints
Blindbolt UK | 31st March 2021
Thin Wall Bolt (TW Bolt)
When it comes to thin-walled joints, there are four main types of fasteners that can be used including thin wall bolts, tapping screws, blind rivets and conventional rivets. Each of these different fastener types have their own unique selling points (USP) and uses.
Thin Wall Bolts for Thin-Walled Joints
Thin wall bolts (or TW bolts) were specially designed to address the need for a quality blind fixing, which can be utilised when fixing lightweight steel sheet and cladding style materials. After the installation process, nothing but a neat, barely noticeable head is leftover with no stud.
There are several benefits that a thin wall bolt boasts, starting with its super strong capacity. It is fast and simple to install, and you don't need a large hole to make the most of the bolt meaning aesthetic damage is unlikely. Thin wall bolts are finished with an expertly made zinc electroplate that gives excellent protection, so you can maintain ultimate peace of mind knowing that your thin wall bolts are sturdy and secure.
Tapping Screws for Thin-Walled Joints
Tapping screws are compatible with a vast range of different materials and thicknesses, making them a good functional option for large scale projects. They can work on materials such as structural steel, brass, bronze, zinc, aluminium, and even wood if the thickness ranges between 0.02 to 0.50 inches. It has to be said that tapping screws often cost more than other options such as rivets. You can install tapping screws by hand manually, or with the use of power tools, but no matter which option you decide upon, installation is generally extremely time consuming. It can be even more demanding when you are using hard materials like stainless steel, as these will require high driving torques.
Blind Rivets for Thin-Walled Joints
There are 2 different types of blind rivets for fastening, and these are pull mandrel and dive pin. Pull mandrel blind rivets can either have completely hollow cores, fully solid cores or vapour-tight cores with closed ends. They have a wide grip range, meaning they can fasten a vast array of material thicknesses.
On the other hand, drive pin blind rivets have a pin that pokes out of the top head, and they are installed through hammering to expand the shank sufficiently to ensure secure fastening. The installation process doesn't require any special tools, but the materials that you use have to be strong enough to withstand several hammer blows without showing any signs of wear.
Both types of blind rivets are simple to install in under a minute, and you don't need to access the back of your thin walled joint to fasten things successfully. Blind rivets may not have the strength of your average nut or bolt, they work well for thin walled joints and can withstand vibration far better than other options.
Conventional Rivets for Thin-Walled Joints
Conventional rivets come in many standard types, sizes, and materials. From tubular to bifurcated, you're almost guaranteed to find a conventional rivet that suits your individual thin wall joint needs. These rivets usually have high level vibration resistance which is a huge bonus, however, this does mean that disassembly and reassembly is often a tricky and time-consuming process. Unfortunately, the back of the joint has to be accessible during installation, which may mean that you have to drill an unsightly access hole.
Bolted Shut
Would thin wall bolts work for you? Get in touch and speak to a member of the BlindBolt team today by using the contact form below to find out more about our thin wall bolts and how they can benefit your project. Alternatively, you can contact a member of our team on +61 3 9757 4989 or by email at enquiries@blindbolt.com.au. We look forward to hearing from you.