Blind Bolts Vs Fang Bolts

Blind bolts are a popular type of steel fastener, combining strength with versatility. They have been developed to provide strong and durable connections on occasions when other fasteners, such as hex bolts and rivets, are less likely to do so.

Blind bolts have been used as fasteners in a range of manufacturing sectors for several decades, and are prized for the versatility they provide thanks to coming in a wide range of designs and sizes. They are referred to as blind fasteners because they can be installed from just one side of a join via a pre-drilled hole, without the other side of the join having to be accessed. This ease of use makes them the ideal fastener for situations such as bridge construction and girder cavities,

The standard blind bolt consists of three components – a steel pin, a collar and a sleeve. They can be installed using a specific blind bolt tool which operates in a similar manner to a riveter. The ease of installation means that blind bolts can be utilized without in-depth training, but it is still important to take the time to choose the correct blind bolt for each specific task. Factors including tensile strength and corrosion resistance need to be taken into account when selecting the right blind bolt for any job, and the same applies to other types of fastener such as the fang bolt.

Fang bolts are widely used within the rail industry because the unique fanged design is perfectly suited to gripping onto the lower surface of a sleeper. Once in place, the entire assembly of the bolt is unable to move or shift in any direction, having been designed to resist the forces associated with moving trains which weigh several tons. Fang bolts offer a much more reliable fastening than the alternatives of spikes and screws, and so are often placed in locations calling for maximum stability, such as sharp twists and turns in the track.