ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MEASURING BOLTS
IDEAL BOLT MEASURING TOOLS
For precision measuring we would recommend the use of Digital Vernier Calipers and a Thread Gauge to measure thread pitch. For standard bolts in the range of M5 – M12
MEASURING A FASTENER
Shank Diameter
Also called Major diameter. The diameter of a bolt is the Shank diameter, expressed in millimetres for Metric bolts. Because this is approximately the same as the Major or Thread diameter the thread diameter measurement can be used for fully threaded bolts.
Shank Length
Fastener length is measured from where the material surface is assumed to be, to the end of the fastener. For fasteners where the head usually sits above the surface, the measurement is from directly under the head to the end of the fastener. For fasteners that are designed to be countersunk, the measurement is made from the point on the head where the surface of the material is, to the end of the fastener.
Thread Pitch
Metric fasteners are specified with a thread pitch instead of a thread count. The thread pitch is the distance between threads expressed in millimetres (measured along the length of the fastener). For example a thread pitch of 1.5 means that the distance between one thread and the next is 1.5mm. In general smaller fasteners have finer thread so they have lower thread pitch.
Note: Not all sizes are available in ALL materials, please refer to relevant material section.
Standard Allen Key Socket Cap Bolts
Tapered Socket Cap Bolts
Flanged Hex Head Bolts
Tapered Socket Cap Bolts
Dome Head/Fairing Bolts
Note: Not all sizes are available in all materials, please refer to relevant material section.
Flat Washers
Drilled Washers
Countersunk Bodywork Washers
Race Spec Bolts
Race Spec Bodywork Bolts
For PDF version of the measuring guide please click below