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Originally Posted On: https://www.oldwestiron.com/blogs/news/what-is-a-carriage-bolt

 

Are you working on a new project? Read here to learn what a carriage bolt is and when and how you should use them when working on a project.

Bolts are something that we are all familiar with. You use bolts to join two or more materials together. Today, there is an enormous range of fasteners or bolts to choose from.

Different kinds of bolts have unique characteristics, benefits, and application areas that distinguish them from one another. For example, black carriage bolts are one kind of bolt that is extensively utilized in many applications.

These bolts are also referred to as coach bolts in certain circles. Carriage bolts, like other kinds of bolts, come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Learn what a carriage bolt is and when and how to use one. What are the differences between the various kinds of coach bolts? What applications do they have? You can find the answers to these questions in the post that follows.

What Is a Carriage Bolt?

A carriage bolt is a kind of fastener made of various materials. The most popular material, however, is stainless steel. Generally, a carriage bolt features a round head, a flat tip, and a threaded shank.

Carriage bolts are frequently used in wood applications and are sometimes called plow bolts or coach bolts. But they are considerably more varied than people believe.

History of Carriage Bolts

We associate the carriage period with American nobility. In the olden days, you would always see higher-class individuals out on their carriage carts

According to W.R. Wilbur, Besson, a Frenchman, invented the first machine for manufacturing nuts and screws in 1568. A century later,  Hindley of York, England, expanded on this method, which stayed for many years.

In 1818, Micah Rugg, a small-town blacksmith from Marion, Southington Township, Connecticut, developed carriage bolt fasteners. These were essential components in the construction of different modes of transportation.

Types of Carriage Bolts Such as Black Carriage Bolts

If you value quality and durability in carriage bolts, you should go for stainless steel carriage bolts. These bolts will be robust and resistant to corrosion. A suitable option for outdoor applications is hot-dipped galvanized steel, which is also corrosion-resistant.

However, if the carriage bolt will be underwater, stainless steel is the most acceptable option.

Here are some examples of different types of carriage bolts.

 

Black Carriage Bolts

Black carriage bolts, also known as plow bolts. You use carriage bolts to join two wooden parts. These fasteners have a domed head with a square base below. Squat necks prevent the pin from rotating when tightened. These also come with a ribbed neck.

Black carriage bolts come in different categories, each with its specs.

Rustic Carriage Bolts

Another famous specialty bolt is a hammered carriage bolt. This design is inspired by old rusted carriage bolts found on antique carriages, which were black iron bolts back in the day. This type of old look rustic carriage bolts allows you to recreate the appearance of old carriage bolts.

 

Hammered Carriage Bolts

All structures, new and old, benefit from this hammered head bolt since it appears to be a traditional wrought iron bolt. They come in a variety of finishes, such as:

• Untreated metal finish
• It’s finished by painting it flat black
• The bolt is rubbed with bronze oil
• A pewter wax is rubbed on the part, leaving the silver-ish pewter color
• Aged Bronze. You give the bolt a bronze wax, and then it’s wiped clean
• Aged Pewter. A pewter wax is applied to the bolt and then wiped away
• Rusty Metal Patina. The low parts of the item retain the reddish, orange hue of the rust after this treatment has been applied
• Gunmetal finish. There are shades of blues and browns coming through in this acid finish
• Wrought Iron Patina

The popularity of salvaged timber has grown. Since then, these ornamental carriage bolts have become more popular.

When and How to Use a Carriage Bolt

Carriage bolts are perfect for joining wood and metal. In addition, carriage bolts may be used to join two pieces of wood. The effective attaching of two distinct metal components is possible with specific specialized carriage bolts.

Furthermore, they may be used in several other industry sectors, including the ones listed below:

• The water conservation and treatment business
• The railway industry
• The farming sector
• The mining industry

To install a carriage bolt, you will need a few extra tools, including:

• A hammer
• A drill
• A drill bit
• A nut and a washer

Remember that carriage bolts should only be used in pre-drilled slots. This is because of the unique form of a carriage bolt’s head. It is always smooth and spherical, implying that it cannot be screwed into the material with a drilling instrument. Let’s look at the steps:

• Start by drilling a hole in the material that is large enough to accommodate the carriage bolt size
• Place the carriage bolt through the hole you’ve made. You may use a hammer to softly push it into place if it’s a tight fit
• After that, you’ll need to install your washer and nut. Place the washer on the backside of the bolt and then the nut on top of it

A washer is necessary to prevent damage while pulling the carriage bolt into the surface with the nut. Next, tighten the nut to secure the carriage bolt. The carriage bolt’s underside should be tight against the material.

To remove the carriage bolt, twist the nut while keeping it on the bolt. Hammer the nut to start sliding the bolt out of the object and keep going until you remove it by hand.

Keep It Together!

Every day, millions of carriage bolts hold things in place with minimal effort. Their enormous diversity has resulted from the wide range of applications that need their usage.

There are many methods to categorize bolts and their applications, and all of the factors listed above contribute to the ultimate decision of using these black carriage bolts.

Our hand-hammered goods and hand-painted patina finishes retain the craft of our forefathers. Moreover, they keep the old look which proves that these black carriage bolts are not mass-produced.

Why not contact us if your project requires the final touch of an old look finish?