A Mini Guide to GM Test Bolts: Types, Uses, and Where to Buy

General Motors test bolts
Test bolts play a critical role in the design and development of mechanical systems. They’re used for many industries and applications but are especially common in the context of automotive engineering, where precision and reliability are paramount to the overall safety and performance of a vehicle. Consider applications like vehicle framing and engine assembly, for ... Read more

What Is a Bolt? The Ultimate Guide to Bolt Types, Grades, Manufacturing, and More

Isolated bolts on a white background
Bolts are an essential component in the manufacturing and engineering industries. From the intricate machinery of automobiles to the robust structures of bridges and buildings, bolts play a vital role in keeping everything together. For this reason, it’s important to understand what bolts truly are, plus all the types, grades, nomenclature, and functionalities associated with ... Read more

What to Know About Zinc-Nickel Plating for Fasteners

What to Know About Zinc-Nickel Plating for Fasteners
The introduction of zinc-nickel plating dates back to the 1980s, but the material hasn’t gained much attention until recently. For a while, there were misconceptions swirling around about its practicality and benefits, which have since been dispelled. Today, engineers and manufacturers around the world are becoming more interested in zinc-nickel — in the fastener world and ... Read more

How a Bolt Is Made: An Inside Look at the Bolt Manufacturing Process

how a bolt is made feature

Bolts are one of the most common fasteners used in engineering, manufacturing, and construction processes. While some are simple in design and can be manufactured with relative ease, others are more complex (in shape, size, etc.) and call for a more complicated manufacturing process. Regardless, the ways bolts are manufactured are important to understand because … Read more

Capabilities of a Custom Fastener Manufacturer

Bolts Screws & Studs

At Wilson-Garner, we’re a leading manufacturer of American-made custom fasteners. But if you know anything about the fastener industry, you know that the word “custom” can mean different things to different people and different situations. So, what are those differences, and what exactly does “custom fastener” mean to us? This article will fill you in. … Read more

Types of Self-Locking Fasteners

BH Place Bolts
There are many different categories and types of fasteners available. One of the categories that we deal with a lot at Wilson-Garner is the self-locking fastener category. Not sure what that is, or what it entails? We’ll fill you in below. What Are Self-Locking Fasteners? Self-locking fasteners are exactly what they sound like: fasteners with ... Read more

Engine Fasteners: Types & Applications

engine fasteners application
You might be shocked by the number of fasteners required to build an engine and keep it running properly. But these fasteners are critical to the engine’s performance, which is why it’s so important to purchase them from a trusted manufacturer. Not only do you need the right parts, but you need to factor in ... Read more

What Is Fastener Yield Strength?

Proof Load Readout
In this article, we’re talking about yield strength — one of the many measurements and specifications a fastener needs to meet to qualify for a particular grade or property class. We’ll talk about what yield strength means, how it’s measured, and how it relates to some other common fastener terminology. What Is Yield Strength? Yield strength ... Read more

What Is Fastener Proof Load?

The fastener industry is filled with so many technical terms and measurements that it can be difficult to keep them all straight. In this article, we’re breaking down one of them for you: proof load. We’ll talk about what proof load is, how it’s tested and measured, and how it relates to some other common ... Read more