What are fasteners? Fasteners are the nuts bolts and screws of the world. They truly hold the world together. Check out our page to find everything you want to know about fasteners.
We have consolidated our videos into a simple and easy to stream location. Check out our video resource library to view all of our Fastener 101 videos without ever having to leave the website. For convenience we have also included the link to the you tube channel below.
For the latest Fastener Information, Hardware Demonstrations and Tool Reviews be sure to check out Our YouTube Channel! Here, we are launching several videos to demonstrate fastener basics and answer commonly asked questions. We have a growing library of product reviews, installation demonstrations, instructional videos and more for all things Fastener related! Be sure to leave your comments and send us your requests and check back daily to see new videos as we upload them. If there is a product review or video that you would like to see us create, tell us! We love to hear your suggestions. Take a look at one of our favorite new products below:
Albany County Fasteners is committed to providing a better user experience. Please share your issues and suggestions in the comments below! We would love to hear feedback from you!
Tamper Proof, Tamper Resistant and Security Screws
Tamper Proof Fasteners are screws, Nuts and Bolts best characterized by their unconventional drive style. Tamper Proof Fasteners are used in areas where an assembly is accessible to the public, as a means to deter or prevent vandalism or disassembly. Tamper proof security screws, or Tamper resistant security screws, are distinguished by having an unconventional drive, making tampering with the screw more difficult, if not impossible without the matching driver. Security Screws are used for securing materials from being tampered with, such as gutters, license plates, grills in jails, schools, boats and cars. They are also used in food prep and processing areas. You will often see security screws used in bathroom stalls, particularly toilet partitions and other public locations.
What is an “Unconventional Drive Style”?
Unconventional Drive Styles come in many varieties, but all share one common goal: difficult (if not impossible) installation or removal without the corresponding security Bit or Driver.
One Way Screws
One Way Screws (sometimes called Irreversible Screws or One Direction Screws) get their name because of their drive style. The head of the screw features a slotted drive that is designed to instantly cause cam out if the driver is turned in the wrong direction. This is achieved by manufacturing the drive in quadrants that are gradually raised to accept the driver bit when turning the screw right, and reject it when turning the screw left. The One Way drive makes installation of the screws easy, requiring only a standard slotted bit, but removal of the screw difficult (if not impossible) without the corresponding bit or a specifically designed removal tool. One Way Screws are commonly seen in public areas such as bathroom fixtures and partitions, license plate frames on cars, wall or floor mounted safes, and wherever tampering after installation becomes a security issue. Generally speaking, all Tamper Proof Screws are used to deter vandalism or theft because the removal of the screw is difficult, if not impossible, without the corresponding unconventional bit. One Way Screws are particularly difficult to remove, which means that they should be used for long-lasting applications. Shop Stainless Steel One Way Screws
Spanner (Snake Eye) Security Screws
Tamper Proof Spanner or “Snake Eye” security screws are installed using a spanner bit. Spanner Screws are commonly referred to as “Snake Eye” because of the two dot drive system. Spanner security screws are used for securing materials from being tampered with, such as gutters, license plates, grills in jails, schools, boats and cars. They are also used in food prep and processing areas. You will often see security screws used in bathroom stalls and other public locations. Spanner screws can only be installed or removed with a spanner bit, which fits a pin into each of the screw’s two drive holes. Since Spanner screws can only be installed or removed through spanner bits, they are very resistant to tampering. Shop Stainless Steel Spanner “Snake Eye” Screws & Bits
Torx (6 Lobe with Pin) Security Screws
Torx® with pin security drive can only be driven with security bits and are used to prevent tampering and theft. Security Screws in this variety are characterized by the 6 lobe, or star drive with a central pin. The pin grants additional tamper resistance as it prevents conventional screwdrivers and grabbing devices from tampering with the original installation. Shop Stainless Steel Torx Tamper Proof Screws, Bits & Drivers
Tri-Groove Security Nuts
Tri Groove security nuts feature a tapered diameter, making the nuts resistant to gripping devices. Security nuts are installed using a special Tri-Groove socket, which grips the indentations along the outside of the fastener to turn the nut along a thread. Tri Groove nuts are also referred to as T Groove, Trident Drive and Cone Trident Drive Nuts are tamper resistant. Shop Tri-Groove Nuts & Drivers
In This Video:
Our Fastener Expert goes over many of the popular security fasteners available for your builds.
For more information on Tamper Proof Fasteners and to shop our selection click here.
Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Steel, Copper, and Brass Pop (Blind) Rivets from Albany County Fasteners
What Are Rivets?
POP rivets, also called Blind Rivets, are used to connect two pieces of material in a quick efficient manner with a hand riveter or pneumatic rivet gun. POP Rivets are tubular, composed of a hat and mandrel; the length of the mandrel is snapped off when installed. Both the hat and mandrel may be made of the same material (ex. All Stainless Steel) or a combination of two materials (ex. Copper Hat / Brass Mandrel). Rivets are measured in installed grip range and length. Varieties of POP Rivets (Blind Rivets) include Domed Open End, Closed End, Countersunk, Large Flange Open End, Multi Grip and Structural. They are available in 304 Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Alloy Steel, Copper, Brass, and several other variations of these metals.
For more information on Rivets including numbers (6-6 or 66), measurements, installation, grip range, and more please review our Rivet Guide in Fasteners 101.
How many varieties of Rivets are available?
The answer is MANY! See the list of available options and descriptions below:
Domed Open End POP Rivets / Blind Rivets
POP Rivets, also known as blind rivets, are used to connect two pieces of material in quick, efficient way. Domed POP Open End Rivets are tubular, composed of a hat and mandrel; the length of the mandrel is snapped off when installed. Domed POP Rivets are available with white, black or brown colored mandrel in Aluminum.
Closed End POP Rivets / Blind Rivets
Closed End Rivets differ from a standard blind pop rivet in that they feature a flat, closed end which creates a watertight seal. Also known as a waterproof rivet.
Countersunk POP Rivets / Blind Rivets
A countersunk rivet, also known as a Flat Rivet, is used in countersunk holes and once set, finish flush to the surface. They are used in tracks where the head will not protrude into sliding tracks or rollers. The hat of the rivet is almost inverted, with a 120 degree countersink in the integrated washer. Countersunk POP Rivets are tubular, composed of a hat and mandrel; the length of the mandrel is snapped off when installed.
Large Flange POP Rivets / Blind Rivets
Large flange pop rivets, also known as Oversize Rivets, have a larger washer on the hat than standard POP Rivets. Large Flange POP Rivets are tubular, composed of a hat and mandrel; the length of the mandrel is snapped off when installed.
Multi Grip Rivets
Multi Grip Rivets can substitute conventional rivets in applications where the thickness of the riveted material varies. One Multi Grip Rivet has the grip range of different rivet sizes. This grip range allows for flexibility in design and a lower rivet inventory, as one size of Multi Grip rivet can be suitable for a variety of jobs, including mismatched holes. One Multi Grip Rivet can be used as an equivalent for at least three different rivet sizes.
Structural Rivets
Structural Rivets, also known as interlock rivets in stainless steel with a stainless steel mandrel. Interlock pop rivets create a stronger assembly than standard stainless steel pop rivets, because of the amount of force that they generate. Domed head blind rivets in this selection are commonly referred to as both Interlock and Structural Rivets.
For more information on Rivets, please visit our Rivet guide here
Albany County Fasteners is proud to announce our expanding black oxide fasteners line, as well as offering custom black oxide fastener orders. With this announcement, we would also like to share some information with our customers and subscribers about the process, and what exactly makes a black oxide fastener.
On stainless steel (particularly for us in stainless steel fasteners), black oxide fasteners are 18-8 or
304 grade stainless steel fasteners that have undergone a conversion coating process to alter certain qualities of the material, most notably the color. The chemical treatment process has a greater effect than this coloring however, in that it also adds a mild corrosion and abrasion resistance to the fastener.
The Black oxidation process for stainless steel consists of a series of chemical baths in a mixture of caustic, oxidizing and sulfur salts. Before the part is dipped into a hot bath of a solution of these materials, it is first dipped in an alkaline cleaner, and then water to ensure a surface free of debris. After the piece is treated in this manner, the fastener has porous qualities. This is then finished by infusing the material with oil or wax to add the corrosion and abrasion resistant qualities.
To achieve maximum corrosion and abrasion resistance, the black oxide is infused with wax during the process and complies with military specifications as a Class 4 finish. The enhanced protection, as well as the sleek black finish are why these fasteners are used. Our Stainless Steel Black Oxide Fasteners undergo this chemical process in order to achieve the black oxide properties.
The benefits of this process are that the fastener becomes more durable, with an insignificant altering of the fastener’s dimensions.
Black Oxide fasteners are used commonly in the jewelry industry, the automotive industry on both cars and motorcycles, as well as in knife builds, firearm builds and in small machines. This process can be applied to any stainless steel fastener available on our website making the possibilities virtually endless.
