[AT] Nuts n Bolts, bolts mostly...

[Steve W.]

Matthew,
  There are a lot of reasons why this isn't done. Here are a couple to
get started.

1- Strength,  Threads weaken a bolt. The root diameter of a thread and
the sharp corner there are the weakest part of the bolt. Since bolts are
sized for loads in both shear and tension it would require a larger bolt
to maintain the same strength.

2- Hole sizing, Holes are sized for the shoulder diameter of a given
bolt. Not for the size of the threads. That shoulder bears the load in
shear and centers the bolt in tension. This gives even clamping force
around the head.

3- Threads wear, In a given size hole if thread surface is used as a
load bearing surface it wears quickly and you end up with a loose part,
wallowed out holes, or both.

Steve Williams

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matthew" <matthewx at dogod.com>
To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2005 7:30 AM
Subject: [AT] Nuts n Bolts, bolts mostly...


> Not too unusual, I had a bolt rattle out of mu Case yesterday.  It was
not
> a size I had on hand so it was off to ag-trac.  After three trips I
had a
> workable solution.
>
> Now when I say it was not a size that I have on hand, I mean a length,
> I had bolts with the right diameter and thread pitch.  This got me to
> thinking, why (short of it is less expensive) don't they thread bolts
> all te way down to the head on larger sizes?  Heck, if they did that
> I could go down and for $2.75 a pound or what ave you pick up a bunch
> of bolts from 1/4" to 1" that are 6" long and be done with it.  I am
> sure it would hurtmy scottish side to cut a a 1" diameter bolt that is
> 6" long down to 1" long, but once you factor in gas and what not I am
> pretty sure you would still come out ahead.  And I suspect my creative
> side would find a use for the 5" hunk of threaded rod left over.
>
> So, what is so bad about bolts being threaded all the way to the head?
>
> --Matthew
>
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