Four sided fasteners

[mjoekingz28]

Go easy now because I cannot think of the answer, although I am sure I am missing the reason why.



If the drive on your ratchet is four point and it seemingly never slips or rounds, then why not make fasteners just like that?

 

[mrolds88]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#square-head-specialty-bolts/=13hkozs

 

[cwh]

Because then you wouldn't have random scratches on the finely finished surfaces surrounding your fasteners.

 

[derekbrian]

Thanks for your valuable suggestions.

 

[jimgood]

Go easy now because I cannot think of the answer, although I am sure I am missing the reason why.



If the drive on your ratchet is four point and it seemingly never slips or rounds, then why not make fasteners just like that?

The drive on the ratchet and the sockets it drives are hardened steel. The fasteners they are driving are softer steel. That's why.

 

[Rookie2]

I was thinking that Nascar should switch to knock off hubs for the same reason !

 

[astroracer]

I was thinking that Nascar should switch to knock off hubs for the same reason !

LOL! Do you know how many lug nut manufacturers that would put out of business?

 

[DenisG]

Square headed nuts and bolts require more space on machinery and hex heads give you better access for a wrench or socket. There's a Wikipedia entry on "square nut", but here another reference: http://lesson.website/the-history-of-hex-head-nuts-bolts/
There are advantages and disadvantages to just about everything.

 

[Rookie2]

Damn .....Righty tighty......Lefty loosie ......

 

[Tscott]

We use square head fasteners here at the power company all the time. Every power pole I've ever seen uses them for bolts and lock nuts. Assitionally, I would assume for the most part it is tradition with a touch of the fact that the multiple facets allow an open end wrench fewer degrees of rotation to get to the next area of purchase on a given bolt head. Not so important when the bolt is easy to access, but when you can only turn the bolt through a small degree range, this really comes into play.

Tom

 

[bullnerd]

I'm with Tom.....and spinning them with your fingers *****!

 

[kbs2244]

The orginal nuts and bolts were.
But that was in the days of nothing but open ended wrenchs.