Throughout time, screws have changed drastically to be easier to make and use. Early screws were always different, due to them being handmade. Fortunately, the National Screw Thread Commission established a standard for screw threads in 1928 for interchangeability. Since then, industries and people around the world have been able to use standard screws and bolts for a variety of projects.
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Shoulder screws or bolts have a shoulder between the thread and the head. Due to this design, custom shoulder bolt options are extremely versatile. When the screw is fully installed, the unthreaded shoulder extends out of the surface, allowing the shoulders to act as shaft or dowels as needed for rotating items. This means these bolts can be used for things like pulleys, gears, or other items with an axis.
When it comes to specs, custom shoulder bolt options are specified by both shoulder diameter and shoulder length. Compared to a machine screw, shoulder screw specs include the head height, the thread length, and the shoulder length. For example, a 1/4 x 1-in. shoulder screw has a 1-in. long shoulder and a 1/4 in shoulder diameter. Fortunately, shoulder screws come in a variety of diameters and lengths to fit all screw needs.
Shoulder screws can be made from numerous materials. Like with the different sizes, people can get custom screws made from different materials to fit their shoulder screw needs. Some of the most common materials shoulder screws are made from include:
Generally, stainless steel is the most popular material choice for shoulder bolts. This is because the material can offer corrosion resistance and significant strength. Some stainless steels can be heat treated to increase hardness as well. Overall, it really depends on the use of the bolt to determine which material will be best.
Because of their versatility, shoulder bolt uses include a variety of industries. Automotive and mechanical industries can benefit from using custom shoulder bolt options because unlike machine screws, shoulder screws can be used with parts that need rotational movement.
Custom shoulder bolt options allow for users to choose the specs and materials of the bolt. In doing this, users can have the perfect bolt for their project.