How Do Cotter Pins Work?
A cotter pin acts as a locking mechanism and can be used in many different situations. Cotter Pins are a simple to use fastener that requires nothing more than a bolt with a hole in it (and a drill if the bolt does not have a hole), a pair of pliers and a castle nut.
How To Install A Cotter Pin
Installing a locking pin is a simple process:
- Attach the castle nut to the bolt and fasten it into place.
- Make a mark on the bolt or leave the castle pin installed.
- Using a drill and bit, drill a hole into the bolt at this point straight through the cross-section of the bolt. You can make a starting point by using a metal punch.
- Remove any metal filings from the hole and insert the cotter pin.
- Using pliers, bend the ends of the cotter pin away from each other so the cotter pin cannot come out of the hole.
Pro Tip: When bending the cotter pin, try to round the points to look back in at the fastener. This will prevent them from catching on anything accidentally.
To Watch The Installation Of A Cotter Pin Check Out The Video Below:
Are Cotter Pins Necessary?
Cotter pins, while not considered necessary to every installation, may be necessary depending on the application. For example: A motorcycle front wheel is often held on by a castle nut and a cotter pin as it is subject to intense constant vibrations.
How Are Cotter Pins Measured?
Cotter pins have two measurements that matter for an installation. To choose the correct cotter pin you need to know the diameter and the length of the pin.
To determine the length of the cotter pin measure from the base of the rounded portion (“the eye”) to the end of the shorter side.
To determine the diameter of the cotter pin measure both pins together. The rounded portion is not supposed to fit through the hole so the hole should not be bigger than the eye.
Are Cotter Pins Reusable?
Cotter pins can be made from several different materials that are soft enough to bend. Typically, when deforming the pin once, the pins keep their strength and provide a strong locking mechanism that can be relied on.
As a general rule, cotter pins should not be reused as the extra bending weakens the pin. This can lead to the pin failing where a fresh pin would not resulting in a broken lock allowing the nut to spin loose.
How To Remove A Cotter Pin
Removing a cotter pin is an extremely simple task. Simply use pliers to bend the arms of the pin back straight enough to squeeze through the hole. If the pin is worn, these arms may simply snap off and then the rounded eye portion can simply be pulled out and replaced with a new one.
Why Should You Use A Cotter Pin
Cotter pins are used in many different installations. They can act as a quick locking mechanism that is easy to remove and replace but their main benefit is that they will prevent a nut from coming loose due to vibrations of any kind.
While many varieties of lock nut exist that are quick to install, they all come loose over some amount of time depending on how strong the vibrations are. A cotter pin completely removes the chance of a nut loosening unless the force acting on the nut is strong enough to shear through the pin.
What are Cotter Pins Used for?
Cotter pin is a fastener used for locking the nuts onto the bolts. You have to drill a small hole into the bolt to use it. Cotter pins are commonly used in Clevis pins, as it has a premade hole in it.
Difference Between Cotter Pins and Split Pins
Cotter pins are made of mild steel and are used for locking nuts at the place. They are inserted into the hole of the bolt and are then bent into different shapes to prevent the nut from falling out. Whereas Split pins are made up of harder grade steel. It is once inserted into the hole to lock the nut.
Types of Cotter Pins
Below are some of the most widely used cotter pins;
-
Hair Pin Cotter Pins
These pins are easy to install and remove, They are commonly used in clevis pins to secure its end.
-
Wire Snap Cotter Pins
These pins are used in clevis pins or are used in shafts to keep the components aligned in one place.
-
Hammer Set Cotter Pins
These pins are tapped with a hammer (after inserting) for a temporary hold.
-
Wedge Lock Cotter Pins
After inserting these pins, hammer them to wedge the prongs open, this will ensure the stronghold.
stainless steel block we had lying around for our example. We used a drill bit and some drill bit lubricant to ensure our bit did not overheat and dull while drilling.
most common concrete fastener used. Concrete screws are easy to identify based on their bright blue coating. They are used for fastening wood or metal to different masonry materials. They are available in both Phillips flat head (for flush finishes) and hex head (for ease of installation).
