Lag Bolts are a very common and extremely useful construction fastener that can be used to connect materials together. They are available in a wide variety of lengths, diameters, and head shapes and come in many finishes, materials, and strengths. They are one of the strongest and most versatile types of fasteners and can be used in a number of different applications, including connecting timbers, building decks, and securing house joints.
The first step in using any lag bolt is to make sure that the materials you want to join are properly aligned. Often, it is necessary to clamp the two pieces of material together in order to ensure they stay correctly aligned. Once the material is properly aligned, a hole should be pre-drilled in the area where the lag bolt will be placed. The hole should be slightly smaller in size than the actual lag bolt and should be placed in a spot where the hex head will not protrude too much.
Typically, lag bolts are driven into place with a ratchet or socket wrench. They can also be tightened by hand, but care needs to be taken when tightening them with a manual method as it is easy to overtighten them and pop the heads off the bolts. Over tightening can also cause the bolts to break inside the material, which can be a very costly mistake to make.
In most applications, lag bolts will be used in combination with washers. Washers increase the surface area of the hex head of the bolt, which can help to prevent the bolt from digging into the wood or application surface and damaging it. Adding washers also increases the load-bearing capability of the lag bolt, which can be important when working with heavier materials.
While lag bolts are most commonly used in wood applications, they can also be utilized for connecting metal components to wood and other materials. They are a very cost-effective fastener that can be used in many different applications, especially when working with heavy materials. While they can be found in hardware stores, they are often sold in large quantities by home improvement centers and lumberyards. Lag bolts can be purchased in both galvanized and plain finishes, as well as in a variety of different thread sizes. The smallest lag bolts can support up to 200-to-300 pounds in most cases, and the strength of the hex head increases as the diameter of the bolt decreases. The hex head also has a chamfered design that helps to reduce the risk of the hex bolthead chipping off during use. Lag Bolts