Fasteners & Fixings

Discover our comprehensive range of bolts, screws, nuts, grommets, and O-rings online now at Cromwell. Available in bulk or as handy fix-it kits, fasteners and fixings are essential for any maintenance toolbox. We offer a definitive selection of top names, including John Guest®, Arrow Fastening®, Rawl®, and our own brands, Kennedy® and Matlock®.

What are fasteners & fixings?

Used to secure a component in place, or to fasten two components together, fasteners and fixings are designed to connect two points together.

Why buy fasteners & fixings?

While there are always workarounds for the creative among us, fasteners and fixings are an economic and effective option to ensure firm and reliable connections.

When are fasteners & fixings used?

Fasteners and fixings are widely used in a range of industries including maintenance, construction, and engineering. They are also a mainstay for DIY enthusiasts around the globe.

Fastener & fixing types

• Anchoring products   -   These include items like wall plugs and masonry fixings which are designed to permanently fasten a component into a wall, post, or flooring.

• Clips and springs   -   These are used to connect cylindrical items such as pipes and rails to walls and other surfaces.

• Fastener kits   -   These assorted sets include multiple nuts and bolts, screws, and other combinations to provide just what you need on the job.

• Magnetic products   -   For a temporary fixing, or an attachment that's frequently opened and closed, magnets are available in all sizes and strengths to enable a durable connection.

• Nails   -   One of the most commonly used fasteners, nails are made for all kinds of tasks, including masonry, fencing and plasterboard.

• Nuts and washers   -   Available in a wide range of types and sizes, these durable components ensure the secure fixing of a bolt without damaging any surfaces.

• Rivets, pins and keys   -   Designed to provide permanent fixing, rivets, pins, and keys are often used where movement is still required after fixing.

• Screws and bolts   -   Used as both a permanent and temporary option, screws and bolts are available in a range of designs, including thumb screws for hand tightening, eye bolts for additional connections, and hex bolts, attached with a hex driver and often used to construct furniture.

Considerations when choosing fasteners & fixings

• Tools - often the choice of fasteners depends on the type of tools you own. Some products have common drivers available in both hand and power tools, while others are a bit more specialised.

• Components - the type of component you'll be fastening will make a big difference to your choice. Securing a copper pipe to a wall, for example, isn't as simple as applying a screw.

• Weight - fixing a shelf to a wall requires an understanding of the weight those fixings will have to take and the type of wall you're screwing into. Often wall plugs are the best option for this sort of job, as they allow for a secure hold inside the wall for a reliable connection.

Fastener & fixings jargon buster

To keep you up to date with quality standards, we've broken down and explained relevant standards for one-sided fastening fixing clamps...

What does the German standard DIN 72571 mean?

This is a German national standard for one-sided fixing clamps, sometimes called pipe clamps. This standard regulates the specifications, including material and measurement requirements.

Let's break it down...

• DIN - This is an abbreviation of the German national standard: Deutsches Institut Fur Normung E.V.

• 72571 - This is the legislation number.

FAQs

What are fasteners made of?

Fasteners and fixings are typically made of various grades of steel and aluminium alloys. Often finished with an anti-corrosion alloy, like zinc, the material used is based on the type of fixing and its general purpose.

How do nails hold wood together?

Unlike screws, nails have no thread to cut into and hold wooden fibres in place, which makes nails the weaker of the two fixings. However, nails benefit from the strength and speed at which they can be applied. They're extremely strong and hold the wood in place by driving into the wood fibres. These fibres grip the nail creating the friction that holds it in place.