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A fastener is a non-permanent or permanent mechanical tool that rigidly connects or affixes two surfaces or objects together. Non-permanent fasteners can easily be removed without damaging the joined materials. The removal of permanent fasteners might require substantial force and might damage the connected surfaces. Permanent fasteners are designed to be a long lasting form of secure connection.

The wide range of fasteners includes screws, nails, nuts, bolts, and washers that come in different sizes, types, and configurations. Fasteners are one of the most used tools for building, fabricating, and configuring a variety of products and industrial equipment.

There are an endless number of shapes, sizes, lengths, and varieties of fasteners that range from the common nail to huge bolts to hold heavy duty manufacturing equipment in place. They can be generic or specially designed to fit an application. Every industry and manufacturer has a different and unique use for these valuable tools.

The variability between fasteners is due to the extreme forces that are placed on them. The purpose of fasteners is to hold parts, components, and pieces of machinery together in the presence of excessive vibrations and pressure while retaining the ability to disassemble the pieces when necessary.

There are several ways to separate, classify, and categorize fasteners, which include permanent and non-permanent as well as threaded and non-threaded. In the permanent classification are rivets and couplings that cannot be removed. Screws and bolts fall into the threaded classification, while dowel pins and blind fasteners are non-threaded and permanent.

Non-Permanent Threaded Fasteners

Anchor bolts are referred to as "cast in place," which means they are included in the fabrication of the component or part and are permanently attached to it. Different types of anchor bolts are designed for specific jobs. They are an industrial bolt that has been embedded into concrete for securing columns and supports to foundations.

Arbor Bolts

Arbor bolts have a washer permanently attached to the head and reverse threading. The head of an arbor bolt has a sunken design that creates a ridge on the head. Most arbor bolts have a dark or black finish that distinguishes them from other bolts. They are designed to be used with tools such as a miter saw to keep the blade in place.

Carriage Bolts

Carriage bolts have a smooth head with a square section located underneath that keeps the bolt from turning when secured. The popularity of carriage bolts is due to their ability to be used with any type of material, from stainless steel to wood. They are referred to as plow or coach bolts and get their name from their original use, which was to secure carriages and carriage wheels.

Permanent Fasteners

The removal of a permanent fastener requires force, which may damage the surface of the connected pieces. The disassembly of permanently connected materials is time consuming and requires a great deal of effort.

Nails

The unique quality of nails is their smooth shaft that is designed to connect surfaces by being driven in by the force of a hammer or nail gun. The common nail is divided into the head, shank or shaft, point, and gripper marks, which are marks incised into the shank near the head for extra gripping.

Common Nails

Common nails are used for carpentry and construction. They have a heavy shank for sturdy support for any type of building or structural project. Common nails are functional and not used for their appearance. They are noted for their strength, endurance, and reliability.

Box Nails

Box nails are similar to common nails but have a thinner shaft for use with thin wood and plastics. Unlike common nails, box nails are not sturdy or strong due to the structure of their shaft but are ideal for use in finishing projects such as cabinets and paneling.