Thread: Bolt / Screw

Dear People,

Can you please help me to find the difference between "bolt" and "screw"?
I guess that is roughly the same thing, but just to be sure of that...


Thank you in advance

Jack

Hello Jack, screws are usually translated as 'tornillos' and bolts as 'pernos' or 'bulones'. I understand that bolts are for more 'heavy duty' than screws.

Cheers,

Hi Favorita,

yes, your statement sounds very logical and fits perfect into my translation.

Thank you very much!

Cheers

Jack

Bolts and screws are quite different, although they do the same job of keeping two or more things together. Both have threads, but the threads of screws tend to be much more aggressive than those of bolts of the same dimensions. There is a reason for this.

A bolt is usually used with a nut and one or two washers. The purpose of the nut is to tighten or loosen the bolt, and that of the washer is to increase the area under pressure, thus reducing the chance of damage to the pieces being held together. The tip of the bolt is usually flat or nearly so. A washer is placed over the bolt and pushed up the head. The bolt is then pushed through existing (pre-drilled) holes in the two objects to be joined. A washer is added and then the nut. (bolt + washer + first object + second object + washer + nut) To loosen or tighten the bolt, if it has a nut, you turn the nut and not the bolt. As you turn the nut, it travels up or down the bolt along its threads in accordance to the direction in which you are turning it. Note that to turn the nut, you use a wrench. The wheels of a car are held on by means of bolts that are attached permanently to the car. No washers are used, but from five to six nuts are per wheel are.

Screws can be used with or without washers. Screws do not have nuts. Their aggressive threads create threads in the metal or wood they are penetrating. The tip of the screw is conical to permit it to bore its way though soft metals and wood. Screws are turned by a screwdriver. Of you look at the hinges on your door, without doubt they are held in place by large screws, not bolts.

Benilde, "bolt" has lots of meanings depending on the context. "Bolt" is often said instead of "thunderbolt". Rifles have bolts (they hold the cartridge in place, house the firing pin that fires the cartridge, have an ejector that removes the fired cartridge from the chamber, etc.). As you said, a "bolt" is often found on doors leading to the exterior of a house.

Dear All

Favorita was almost right in her explanation.

And copelandci's explanation is even better and I strongly agree with that.

quote...
In contexts you are referring to a large threaded bolt, am I correct? If this is your meaning then you are correct that they are roughly the same thing however a bolt will hold a lot more weight than a screw, and cannot be driven in with a screw-driver but rather with a ratchet.

.....unquote

I would also add that a bolt can also be driven with a spanner and/or with a ratchet handle with a socket.

For further reference please see at http://www.bahco.com/files/04-0439_S...bpnhhrddku.pdf

I hope it helps
Saludos a todos

cranesfreak

¡Hi there Primo Tomás! It's good to hear from you again. Where have you been?

I've learned a lot with this "bolt" word, important sustantive to pay attention to. Thank you for your explanation on firefuns I mean guns.

Send you kisses from México.

Originally Posted by Jack

Dear People,

Can you please help me to find the difference between "bolt" and "screw"?
I guess that is roughly the same thing, but just to be sure of that...


Thank you in advance

Jack

I think the difference is that screws have threads, while bolts don't.