Hex Head Lag Screws

Lag Bolts, or Lag Screws in various finishes for any application

Lag Screws feature a Hex Head and are designed to be driven with a wrench or hex driver. Lag screws are also commonly called Lag Bolts because they are significantly larger than most other screws. Essentially, a Lag Screw is just a very large wood screw with the threads extending to the top. They feature the sharp cutting threads of a wood screw or sheet metal screw and have a shoulder below the head (in longer lengths), however everything is scaled up in size for use in larger applications. These screws typically need a pre-drilled whole and are not reccomended as self tapping.

Lag Screws are typically used in heavy duty carpentry applications including lumber framing and anchoring equipment to wood such as machinery and large vices.

18-8 Stainless Steel Lag Screws

Stainless steel is used primarily for long lasting applications, due to its corrosion-resistant nature and durability. Scratching or burring the metal will not create surface rust as the corrosion resistance exists within the metal itself. Stainless steel is a soft metal due to the low carbon content, therefore most stainless steel bolts are cold-formed and not heat treated or thru-hardened. Cold forming and threading causes stainless steel bolts to become slightly magnetic, some fasteners will be more magnetic than others depending on size and how quick the cold forming process is. Stainless steel fasteners are typically a clean silver color, which also makes them common in finishing and decorative applications. Stainless Steel should never be used with aluminum, corrosion may occur.

(18% Chrome, 8% Nickel, .08% Maximum Carbon) – 18-8 Stainless refers to 300 series stainless steel. 303 and 304 Stainless are the most commonly listed grades, the standard grade for stainless steel fasteners. They are corrosion-resistant and durable. They are often used in marine applications in freshwater environments, but will not work as effectively in a salt water environment as 316 stainless. Stainless alloy resists oxidizing and rusting, however it can tarnish over time.

Hot Dipped Galvanized Steel Lag Screws

Hot dip galvanizing is a process that adds a layer of corrosion resistance by dipping fabricated steel into a kettle containing molten zinc. The HDG process creates a tightly bonded alloy for superior corrosion resistance and harsh environment applications. HDG products must be used exclusively when applied, meaning that a plain zinc nut or stainless nut cannot be applied to an HDG bolt.

Silicon Bronze Lag Screws

Silicon bronze fasteners are made of copper, silicon, and various other alloys such as zinc, tin, iron and manganese. Silicon bronze is used in marine environments, corrosive environments, and high heat environments. Often used in plumbing and electrical applications, silicon bronze fasteners are also found on tattoo machines and in power plants. Silicon bronze is similar in color to copper and is sometimes used in finish applications for the color.

Zinc Plated Steel Lag Screws

Zinc plated steel is very common in the fastener industry. Zinc adds a layer of corrosion resistance to plain alloy steel. Clear zinc has a light, shiny color and blue zinc has a bright blue hue. Zinc plated steel is not suitable for extreme environment use, as it is not as resistant to corrosion as hot dipped galvanized.