Bolts are used to join pieces together either permanently or temporarily. Many steel structures, including buildings, are simply bolted together. For example, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was originally a temporary structure and after twenty years it was to be dismantled. For this reason most of the steel components were bolted together.

Nuts and bolts can also be used to fix together small structures such as furniture.

Nuts and bolts come in many different types and sizes, as some of them shown below.

Bolts have a square collar under the domed head and this locks into the wood when the nut is tightened. A washer is normally placed before the nut to stop it from sinking into the wood as it is turned.

Two spanners are needed to tighten this nut and bolt. The first spanner fits around the hexagonal head of the bolt and a second spanner is used to tighten the hexagonal nut. The countersunk machine screw fits level with the surface of the wood/metal/plastic. A screwdriver is used to keep the bolt still, whilst the wing nut is tightened by hand. Counter sinking can be done with ordinary wood screws also.

The countersunk machine screw fits level with the surface of the wood/metal/plastic. A screwdriver is used to keep the bolt still whilst the wing nut is tightened by hand. Countersinking can be done with ordinary wood screws also.

A plain washer prevents the nut sinking into the surface of the wood/plastic/metal.

A spring washer is used in case there is a need to prevent a nut and bolt loosening

Bolts are used to join pieces together either permanently or temporarily. Many steel structures, including buildings, are simply bolted together. For example, the Eiffel Tower in Paris was originally a temporary structure and after twenty years it was to be dismantled. For this reason most of the steel components were bolted together.

Nuts and bolts can also be used to fix together small structures such as furniture.

Nuts and bolts come in many different types and sizes, as some of them shown below.

Bolts have a square collar under the domed head and this locks into the wood when the nut is tightened. A washer is normally placed before the nut to stop it from sinking into the wood as it is turned.

Two spanners are needed to tighten this nut and bolt. The first spanner fits around the hexagonal head of the bolt and a second spanner is used to tighten the hexagonal nut. The countersunk machine screw fits level with the surface of the wood/metal/plastic. A screwdriver is used to keep the bolt still, whilst the wing nut is tightened by hand. Counter sinking can be done with ordinary wood screws also.

The countersunk machine screw fits level with the surface of the wood/metal/plastic. A screwdriver is used to keep the bolt still whilst the wing nut is tightened by hand. Countersinking can be done with ordinary wood screws also.

A plain washer prevents the nut sinking into the surface of the wood/plastic/metal.

A spring washer is used in case there is a need to prevent a nut and bolt loosening