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Fasteners play a key role in industrial construction, manufacturing, and woodworking. With a wide variety of nails and staples available, choosing the right type is critical for ensuring strength, durability, and efficiency. Factors such as shank design, point type, and protective coatings all impact performance and suitability for different materials and environments. This guide will outline the key features of industrial fasteners to help you choose the right one for your specific application.
Choosing the right fastener for your application is important since the wrong fastener can cause a shorter lifespan, decrease performance, increase labor, cause damage, and void warranties. Different types of fasteners are used depending on the materials being joined, required strength, environmental conditions, and if permanent or removable connections are needed.
Bulk Nails
Bulk nails are loose, non-collated fasteners that are manually driven using a hammer or inserted into specific machines designed for automated nailing. They are commonly used for precision placement or where pneumatic or gas-powered nailers are not practical.
Collated Nails
Collated nails are prearranged in strips, coils, or magazines and are held together with paper tape, plastic strips, or wire. These nails require fewer reloads for pneumatic nailers, making them more efficient. They are often used for high-volume applications such as construction and carpentry.
Coil Nails
Coil nails are typically bound with thin wire and are assembled in a circular coil for less reloading. Coil nails are commonly used for pallet and crating repair, construction, and other horizontal shooting applications.
High-Load Nails
These nails are for heavy-duty applications, offering a thicker shaft and larger head for improved holding power and stability. High-load nails require a tool with a high capacity and are ideal for pallet manufacturing, crate building, and other industrial manufactuing applications.
Pallet Nails
Pallet nails are flat-headed screw-shank fasteners, available in both collated coil and bulk options, and specifically designed for pallet construction and repair. Correct pallet nails create better withdrawal while the wrong pallet nail can result in severe damage to a product load during storage and transport.
Brad Nails
Brad nails are small, thin nails made from 18-gauge wire, with tiny heads for a clean, aesthetic finish. They are primarily used in finish carpentry and are perfect for applications such as trim, molding, and cabinets.
Finish Nails
Finish nails are stronger and more heavy-duty than brad nails, usually made from 15- or 16-gauge wire. They are used for carpentry projects that require greater binding strength and driving power. Finish nails are also available in more lengths than brad nails.
Staples
Wide Crown Staples - These staples feature a broader top, which helps distribute the load over a larger surface area, creating stability and preventing the staple from being easily pulled out. Wide crown staples are often used for roofing, furniture framing, and pallets.
Medium Crown Staples - With a balance of strength and flexibility, medium crown staples work well for constructing shingles, fascia, soffits, and fencing.
Narrow Crown Staples - Narrow crown staples allow for closer spacing between staples, making them ideal for fastening thin or soft materials like fabric or thin sheets of wood. These staples offer a less noticeable finish and are often used in fine carpentry or furniture assembly.
Collation – The way fasteners are arranged for use in automated tools, such as strips and coils.
Crown – The top portion of a staple that connects the two legs. It determines the width of the staple and affects holding power.
Finish Type – The coating or material applied to a fastener to enhance durability, corrosion resistance, or aesthetics. Common finishes include galvanized, stainless steel, and coated options.
Gauge – The thickness or diameter of a fastener measured in standard gauge units.
Head Type – The shape and design of the top portion of a fastener, which affects its appearance, drive type, and functionality. Examples include flat, round, and pan heads.
Holding Power – The ability of a fastener to resist forces pulling it out of the material.
Legs – The two prongs of a staple that penetrate the material being fastened. The length of the legs determines the depth of penetration.
Point – The sharpened tip of a fastener that aids in penetration into materials. Different point designs, such as chisel or diamond points, affect driving efficiency and holding power.
Shank – The main body of a fastener that extends from the head to the point. It provides strength and can have different textures, such as smooth or screw.
Shank Diameter – The thickness of the shank, which influences the fastener’s strength and resistance to bending or breaking.
Shear – The force required to break a fastener. A higher shear strength indicates better resistance to lateral forces.
Withdrawal – The force it takes to pull a fastener from the material it's securing.
Rocket Industrial offers expert guidance and a wide selection of high-quality nails, staples, and fastening solutions to help you find the right supplies for your business. Contact us today for more information.
