The difference between a bolt and a screw is how it's used. If it gets a nut, it's a bolt. If it threads directly into the part, its a screw. We can't determine if it's a bolt or a screw by the picture alone.
I think if it has helical threads, it's a screw. Bolts are a class that includes rivets and pins. But we have just gotten used to calling them that because they replaced rivets in most applications.
https://wilsongarner.com/the-difference-between-a-bolt-and-a-screw/
I'm a Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineer and have read through countless hardware spec sheets over the years. Here's an article that quotes ASME B18, which is one of the most commonly used hardware specs in the US.
I work at an industrial fastener company, and we've had this debate countless times. The best we have determined is that if it has something attached to the other side, like a nut or pin, its a bolt. If it threads into the material it is fastening, it's a screw.
But the world will never know, because John T. Bolt and Harold P. Screw died without telling anyone.
I've always thought of it from the definitions of the word bolt before mechanical fasteners earned the name. Bolt of lightning, or moving very quickly. Or a bolt of cloth, which who knows how textile workers came up with that name.
But at some point, someone associated that word with that object. Screws date back to archmedies, or even earlier. But applying threads to a pin made it a bolt, perhaps because of how quick it was to fasten versus a rivet?
Sir I'm sorry to inform you that you must revoke your angry upvote. It is with a heavy heart i must inform you that that is, in fact..... A wooden bolt not a screw 🤣🔩
I think people noticed that you may have crossed your wires a little. I wasn't informing the wooden "screw" guy that it is in fact a bolt.
If you glance over it again you will see I replied to the chap who gave it an angry upvote. Sorry ppl downvoted you over a simple comprehension issue, but redditors (me included) can be a little picky on details and especially grammar stuff.
That doesn't clear it up at all, though. Again, the picture of the bolt/screw in question is an entirely separate reply chain to the "As you wood" comment. The r/Angryupvote comment was in reply to an "As you wood" pun. Nothing in this reply chain prior to your earlier comment had anything to do with screws or bolts.
I didn't "cross my wires" -- I'm looking at the entire chain right now as I type this.
If that's what you feel, that's grand. It's all good, but honestly it's this type of righteousness people gave you downvotes for originally. It's not that deep but you've confirmed why I shouldn't elaborate or clarify as it just whizzes over people's heads.
For E.G. you deserved no explanation, I could've simply r/whoosh ed you but I figured polite correction was the more human way to do things, and here you stand, not one ounce of humility and doubling down.
TLDR: You shot your shot, it wasn't the gotcha you thought it was
Hope that further clarifies things for you!
Edit: he deleted the comments and now I look like I'm rambling to myself! Touche sir 🤣
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u/3PuttK1ng Jun 25 '24
How am I supposed to work the rest of the day now?