67
votes
Accepted
What do you call the fastener that's like a metal zip tie with a screw?
This particular type is a band hose clamp, worm screw, stainless steel. In Britain a Jubilee clip.
316 stainless steel worm gear hose clamp Grainger
- 20.9k
53
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What do you call the fastener that's like a metal zip tie with a screw?
It's a hose clamp. Any hardware or automotive store carries them in the US.
- 766
37
votes
Is this a tool? Or a nail?
From the Harbor Freight Hook Assortment (item #67587), it's a straight line "hanging hook."
Photo below from the above mentioned web site:
- 10.7k
32
votes
Accepted
Why did they hammer nails in half way and bent them over to secure supports?
The nail heads aren't big enough for the holes. At that time carpenters didn't enjoy the vast array of fasteners and installation tools that we do today, so they may have used what was available at ...
- 129k
31
votes
Accepted
How to remove a shelf fastener with a round head and no slot
That's an expanding plug anchor as is commonly supplied by closet system manufacturers. Pull the nail out by the head (a locking plier works well), then pull the plastic plug out.
Here's a ...
- 129k
25
votes
Accepted
What's the term for a hole with a screw thread?
That is simply called a threaded insert. It is either first placed into the mold, then plastic injected, or pressed in after the plastic handle is injected. Google images for "threaded ...
- 266
24
votes
Accepted
Finding the right size of nut for a bolt
Judging by the pitch and diameter you've measured, what you probably have is an American UNC 6-32 screw.
There are many conversion charts on the interwebs, but if you refer to this one in particular ...
- 6,273
23
votes
What are these fasteners on this hinge?
Looks like they used rivets. The only way to remove them, is to destroy them (drill them out).
- 131k
20
votes
Finding the right size of nut for a bolt
Big box stores (Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.) usually have a board hung up in their hardware aisle that you can use to identify threads/sizes of bolts and screws. You can just take your screw in and check ...
- 379
17
votes
Accepted
Is there a reason not to nail up drywall?
Nobody uses a pneumatic nailer for drywall. And in a world where shortcuts are revered, that has to tell you something.
You know this already, but screws are the gold standard. They stay put and they ...
- 20.3k
17
votes
What type of screws/anchors to fasten a closer to a steel door
Any type of threaded screw will eventually pull out. I'd think about using some bolt and cap nuts. You'd have to drill right through the door and can probably use the same holes on one side. I'd think ...
- 78.7k
16
votes
What do you call the fastener that's like a metal zip tie with a screw?
Another common name for this type hose clamp is "gear clamp". They come in a variety of sizes to accommodate various hose diameters.
(Image from PrecisionBrand.com.)
- 64.1k
16
votes
Accepted
What type of screws/anchors to fasten a closer to a steel door
This appears to be well suited to a rivnut installation. The threaded insert is placed in a hole sized appropriately to the insert, the tool is used to compress the portion inside the door and the ...
- 10.7k
16
votes
What is the consequence of using lag bolts without pilot holes?
Pilot holes are done for two reasons. One is to help prevent the stud from splitting and the second is to make the lag bolt or screw easier to install. The ease of installation is important because ...
- 8,752
12
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How do I better secure a loose lag shield in concrete?
Shaving some slivers of wood to take up the slack will work OK today, you probably won't achieve the rated holding power, and before long the wood will deteriorate and the plug will come loose. So ...
- 25k
12
votes
Accepted
Are there brackets/braces like this?
There are "outside corner" brackets, for instance
Simpson Strong-Tie RTA 16-Gauge ZMAX Galvanized Rigid Tie Angle for 2x Joist/Post
Model # RTA2Z|Store SKU # 1000170525, from homedepot.com
...
- 15.8k
11
votes
Accepted
What is this zip tie-like nail?
This is a ring shank nail they have very good pullout strength , Added for those that don't have 35+ years experience. The Ring shank nails I used in the 70's were 100% except for the tip. No matter ...
- 102k
11
votes
What are these fasteners on this hinge?
Those look like rivets to me. You can simply drill the rivets out to release the hinge, however reinstalling the door could be complicated. A simple solution is to drive out the swivel pin from the ...
- 6,867
11
votes
Accepted
two-part fastener for right-angle wood connections
Good question! These aree common on DIY furniture.
It's a cross-dowel and bolt. One commercial name is a Veritas Knock-Down Fastener. A similar device, with a head to keep it level with a surface, is ...
- 5,856
11
votes
Accepted
Which type of drywall fastener should I use for a bath-towel bar or hand-towel ring?
None of them.
People don't start slipping and grab a picture or a mirror. But they do grab towel bars. You really want to make sure they can hold up to a person pulling hard on them.
Studs
Wood ...
10
votes
Disassemble IKEA Godmorgon drawer
I have had and solved this problem. There are three wood dowels on each side between those cam lock screws. You must cut them. When you do, you will be able to tilt the side piece in order to extract ...
- 109
10
votes
Accepted
What is this fastener attaching electrical box to concrete wall and how do I remove it?
I call them "pin anchors" but I think they have a longer actual name like "mushroom head drive anchors". The anchor is set by driving with a hammer, but can be "un-set" by unscrewing the pin because ...
- 35.1k
10
votes
What type of screws/anchors to fasten a closer to a steel door
Since security could be a concern, I'd suggest a plate on the outside with square holes punched, or round holes drilled to accept carriage bolts that go all the way through the door and nuts on the ...
- 43.1k
9
votes
Is this a tool? Or a nail?
It's a scriber used for marking wood, metal, etc. for cutting or drilling.
- 78.7k
9
votes
Concrete base for parcel box
Size will be an opinion mainly, but at least 5 to 8 cm(WxL) bigger than the box and about 8cm deep/thick.
Anchor bolts should be easy to use to anchor the box and will make the box easy to remove for ...
- 22.8k
8
votes
Why did they hammer nails in half way and bent them over to secure supports?
Because it is easy to remove the nails if required to move the post.
The nails mostly hold the post in position until the overall weight of the building bears down a lot of pressure on the post. At ...
- 64.1k
8
votes
How to remove a shelf fastener with a round head and no slot
Get a pair of vise-grip locking pliers:
They clamp down and can turn ANYTHING. I used them to remove some one-way screws. Just be careful never to try them out on your fingers, unless you like the ...
- 81
8
votes
What are these fasteners on this hinge?
Called 'pop' rivets in the UK, also 'blind' rivets, since you don't have to have access to the other side on the part receiving the rivet. Be careful drilling out, as the centre pin is steel, and the ...
- 81
8
votes
Do lag bolts need to be centered?
Yes, keeping lags centered in studs is important.
The following is minimum for BOLTS IN WOOD:
Edge distance:
Perpendicular to grain: 4 times dia.
Parallel to grain: 1.5 times bolt dia.
End ...
- 23.1k
8
votes
What is the consequence of using lag bolts without pilot holes?
Pilot holes reduce the risk of splitting the stud. If the lag bolt is holding, it probably didn't split the stud.
Note that a socket wrench can easily apply enough torque to strip the threads in soft ...
- 2,159
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