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Joint bolts are metal fasteners used to connect two surfaces, often with a nut and washer. They are commonly used in automobiles, furniture, and construction. Overtightening can embed the bolt, and selecting a quality bolt is important for a secure connection. Zinc plating helps prevent rust and corrosion.
A joint bolt is a cylindrical metal fastener used to connect two surfaces and hold them together. Most coupling bolts are threaded at one end and have a fixed bolt head at the other end. A nut is often tightened onto the end of a joint bolt, with or without a washer, to secure the connection. Joint bolts are commonly used in conjunction with metal brackets or other forms of metal reinforcement to prevent a joined section from pulling apart. You can find connector bolts for joints making connections in automobiles, furniture, and even home construction.
Joint bolts are more likely to be used when both connecting surfaces are thin enough to bridge the distance between their outer edges with the length of the bolt. The mating bolt is usually inserted perpendicular to the mating surfaces so that the fixed end of the bolt is flush on one of the outer edges. Surfaces that are too thick for a joint bolt often require the insertion of a screw joint to provide an anchor for the connection. An anchored screw joint is generally less desirable than a bolt-on joint because it is much less secure. Adding a lock washer to the joint bolt before the nut is screwed into place helps prevent loose joints in the future.
Overtightening a docking bolt can cause embedding in one or both surface materials. The joint bolts will continue to tighten until the outside surfaces provide resistance or the last row of threads have been reached. The overtightening technique is sometimes used by furniture and cabinet makers to reduce the length of joint bolts below surface level and make them less visible. Wood filler can be applied to the newly created divots and the bolt ends of the joints are completely hidden. Embedding and covering joint bolts make them difficult to tighten or remove in the future.
Selecting a quality compatible joint bolt for the job will ensure a secure connection. Bent or rusted joint bolts have low strength and can cause a joint edge or corner to become misaligned or unstable. Joint bolts intended for outdoor use are coated with a thin layer of zinc in a process called zinc plating. The zinc barrier helps prevent rust and corrosion that are common with exposure to the elements. The nut and washer should also be zinc plated if the fastener is likely to come into contact with moisture.
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