The Forgefix Coach Bolt & Nut (M12 x 100, 5 Pack, Silver) is an essential fastening solution for those tackling timber construction projects, offering a secure and stable connection. Its key benefit lies in its square neck design, which effectively prevents twisting when installed in timber, ensuring a robust hold. However, it's important to note that these bolts are specifically designed for low load bearing applications, meaning they are best suited for tasks like garden furniture assembly, pergolas, and fence panel fixing rather than structural, high-stress connections.
Square Neck Design: Features a unique square neck that beds into timber, preventing the bolt from spinning freely when the nut is tightened. This ensures a secure and stable connection.
Zinc-Plated Finish: Each bolt and nut is zinc-plated, offering enhanced durability and corrosion resistance against various elements, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
M12 x 100mm Dimensions: With an M12 thread diameter and 100mm length, these bolts provide a standard size suitable for a wide array of common timber joining tasks.
Versatile Application: Ideal for joining timber to timber, commonly used in garden furniture assembly, pergola construction, fence panel installation, and light timber joist work.
Reliable Fastening: Designed to provide strong, robust, and lasting results for your projects, ensuring components remain securely fastened.
Convenient 5-Pack: Supplied in a practical pack of five bolts, each complete with a hex nut, providing enough fasteners for multiple small projects or a section of a larger build.
Anti-Twist Square Neck: Prevents rotation during tightening for a more secure and easier installation.
Durable Zinc Plating: Offers good resistance against rust and corrosion, extending the fastener's lifespan in varied environments.
Versatile for Timber Projects: Excellent for common timber-to-timber applications like garden structures and furniture.
Robust Connection: Provides a strong and reliable mechanical joint for wood assemblies.
Low Load Bearing: Not suitable for high-stress or heavy structural applications, limiting its use to lighter duty tasks.
Requires Pre-drilling: For optimal installation and to prevent timber splitting, a pilot hole is typically required, adding an extra step to the process.
Anti-Twist Square Neck: Prevents rotation during tightening for a more secure and easier installation.
Durable Zinc Plating: Offers good resistance against rust and corrosion, extending the fastener's lifespan in varied environments.
Versatile for Timber Projects: Excellent for common timber-to-timber applications like garden structures and furniture.
Robust Connection: Provides a strong and reliable mechanical joint for wood assemblies.
Low Load Bearing: Not suitable for high-stress or heavy structural applications, limiting its use to lighter duty tasks.
Requires Pre-drilling: For optimal installation and to prevent timber splitting, a pilot hole is typically required, adding an extra step to the process.
Forgefix Coach Bolts excel in creating strong, stable timber-to-timber connections, particularly where resistance to twisting during installation is critical. The M12 x 100mm size is widely applicable for many DIY and professional tasks. For example, when assembling garden furniture, the square neck design ensures that once the bolt is hammered into the pre-drilled timber, it won't spin while you tighten the nut with a wrench, leading to a much firmer and faster assembly. Similarly, in pergola building or fixing fence panels, these bolts provide the necessary clamping force to securely hold wooden members together, standing up to external elements thanks to their zinc-plated finish.
Their performance shines in applications requiring a neat, flush finish on one side of the timber, as the smooth, rounded head of the coach bolt presents less of an obstruction than other bolt types. While robust, remember their designation for low load bearing means they are best used in non-critical structural elements or where multiple bolts share the load. Always ensure the timber is appropriately sized and the pre-drilled holes are correct for the M12 shank, allowing the square neck to properly seat.
Prepare Materials: Ensure your timber pieces are cut to size and aligned correctly.
Pre-Drill Holes: Using an appropriate drill bit (typically M12 for the bolt shank, or slightly smaller for the square neck to bite), drill pilot holes through both pieces of timber where the bolt will pass. Ensure the hole is straight and perpendicular to the timber surface.
Insert Bolt: Place the coach bolt through the pre-drilled holes, tapping the head with a hammer if necessary to fully embed the square neck into the timber. This prevents the bolt from rotating.
Secure with Nut: Place the washer (if using, not included in this pack but often recommended for wood) and then the hex nut onto the threaded end of the bolt. Tighten the nut using a suitable spanner or wrench until secure. Do not overtighten, as this can crush the timber.
Material: Specifically designed for timber-to-timber connections. Can be used with various types of wood, from softwoods to hardwoods, though pre-drilling precision is more critical with harder woods.
Hole Size: Compatible with holes designed for an M12 bolt shank. The square neck requires the pilot hole to allow it to seat securely.
Load Bearing: Suited for low load bearing applications only. Not recommended for primary structural components requiring high shear or tensile strength.
Storage: Store bolts and nuts in a dry environment to prolong their lifespan and maintain the integrity of the zinc plating. Avoid exposure to extreme moisture or corrosive chemicals.
Inspection: Periodically inspect installed bolts, especially in outdoor applications, for any signs of loosening or significant corrosion. Retighten nuts if necessary.
Cleaning: If bolts become dirty, wipe them clean with a damp cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners that could damage the zinc coating.