History of Threaded Fastening - Part #1: Fasteners
Today on the ASG Express Blog we’re touching on a subject we LOVE.
The history of threaded fastening.
In this two part series we’re going to address each type of screw used in modern assembly, the head types, and the drive types. Below you’ll find a comprehensive list of each, but first, let’s go back in history:
Threaded Fastening Through the Years
Fasteners have been around since the first century B.C. when they were utilized in olive oil and wine production. The materials fasteners were made with graduated from wooden to metal in the 15 th century to attach wooden stocks to the mechanicals of muskets.
The first patent on record for a screw came in 1760 and was shortly followed by mass production when Jesse Ramsden invented the first screw-cutting lathe (pictured below).
Source: The Smithsonian & National Museum of American History
As applications for screws increased, so did the types of screws being used in production work. We’ll provide more information on each type below, but for the most part the evolution of screw heads was to aid the assembly process by providing fasteners with non-slip qualities – which helped reduce operator fatigue and scrap while improving the overall consistency of fastening activities.
So, without further ado, let’s jump into the most common types of fasteners on the market today!
Types of Fasteners
Wood Screws![]() |
Wood screws have advanced quite a bit since debuting in the use of
oil and
|
Machine Screws ![]() |
Machine screws offer strength a wood screw cannot due to the sharpened
|
Thread Cutting Machine Screws |
Thread cutting machine screws have a bit of dual use in that they're
|
Sheet Metal Screws |
Sheet metal screws can be thought of as a hybrid of wood and machine
|
Self Drilling SMS |
Self drilling sheet metal screws are self-tapping just like the thread cutting
|
Hex Bolts |
Hex bolts are basically a machine screw with a hexagonal head and are
|
Carriage/Plow Bolts |
Carriage bolts were used widely in the 1800s in the construction of horse
|
Socket Screws |
Socket screws are perfect for tight places where threaded fastening is
|
Lag Bolts |
Lag bolts are primarily used for high load timber applications despite being
|
Shoulder Bolts |
Shoulder bolts have a shank with a larger diameter underneath the head of
|
Ready to make a purchase
to attach your fasteners? See
our full
line of screwdrivers
or search directly for one of our air, electric,
manual
and cordless
options at your disposal to find the correct tool
which will provide the consistent threaded fastening results you’ve become
accustomed to receiving from ASG.
Next week in Part #2 we'll cover the differing head styles and types of drives on the market today.
If you have any questions about your fastener application, or need further assistance, please contact ASG Customer Service at 888-486-6163 or asginfo@asg-jergens.com.
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