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March 2013

Timber Bolt Videoicon_225.1How is a Timber Bolt made?  

What is a Timber Bolt you ask? A Timber Bolt is used in the construction of docks, covered bridges, and other timber structures. Its oversized round head produces a large bearing surface that eliminates the need for a malleable iron washer under the head of the bolt. Nubs or fins on the underside of the head bite into the wood and prevent it from turning during installation. Timber Bolts are commonly referred to as Dome Head Bolts, Economy Bolts, Mushroom Head Bolts, or Fender Head Bolts depending on your geographical region.

Timber Bolt
Portland Bolt’s 85,000 square foot manufacturing facility complete with hot-dip galvanizing line is ideally suited for manufacturing Timber Bolts. With five hot-forging upsetters, and three flat-die roll threaders, we have the capacity to manufacture large quantities of Timber Bolts in a timely fashion. We stock our domestic 3/4″ diameter galvanized Timber Bolts from 8″ through 36″ in length and manufacture custom sized Timber Bolts in diameters ranging from 1/2″ through 1-1/2″.

Featured Projects Using Timber Bolts:

Port of Houston Fender Replacement Houston, TX
Great Salt Lake Marina Salt Lake City, UT
Hueston Woods Covered Bridge Preble County, OH
Worrall Covered Bridge Rockingham, VT
Overpeck County Park Bridge Teaneck, NJ

Hueston Woods Covered Bridge

Photo courtesy of PrebleCountyRegion

Preble County, Ohi

Preble County’s newest covered bridge was opened on Memorial Day, 2012. The bridge is a single span modified Burr arch design, covered timber structure that spans 108 feet. A six-foot walkway is located on each side of the bridge to provide for pedestrian traffic.

Portland Bolt manufactured lag screws, hex bolts, timber bolts, drive spikes, and high-strength rods for this project. Our 85,000 square foot manufacturing facility complete with hot-dip galvanizing line, combined with our extensive inventory of domestic nuts and washers, makes Portland Bolt a major supplier of fasteners for covered bridge projects throughout the country.

 

FAQ: Ordering A36 BoltsASTM A36 Bolt

Question:  Can I order bolts to ASTM Grade A36?

Answer:  ASTM A36 is a very common steel standard that covers structural carbon steel shapes, plates, and bars. Fasteners are not specifically included in the scope of A36, but that doesn’t stop engineers and contractors from asking for A36 bolts. Why is this an issue? Read more.

Similarly, read about the problems that arise when ordering bolts to ASTM A572 Grade 50 and ASTM A588.

Bent Bolts

Common configurations of bent bolts include right angle bend anchor bolts, round bend U-bolts, square bent U-bolts, and eye bolts. Bent bolts are used as anchor bolts, for hanging pipe, for tie downs, and in a variety of rigging applications. In addition to these somewhat common fasteners, engineers design a multitude of various bent bolts, most of which can be manufactured per your drawing. Need an unusual bent bolt that you can’t seem to find?