Eye bolts secure cables and ropes, with the bolt and its looped end providing secure holding power. These bolts come in a range of sizes and styles to support different weight capacities and uses. In this guide, we explore the standard parts of an eye bolt, five common types, and where to use them.
Parts of an Eye Bolt
Depending on the type of eye bolt, parts include the eye, the shoulder, the shank, and the base.
- The eye refers to the circular loop at one end.
- The shoulder is directly below the eye. This part is slightly raised and supports a stronger hold, serving as the transition from the eye to the shank.
- The shank is the cylinder portion that extends down from the shoulder. It can be threaded like screws or unthreaded like nails.
- The base is the bottom of the eye bolt. If the eye bolt is threaded, the threading ends at the base.
5 Eye Bolt Types & Uses
1. Welded Eye Bolt
As the name suggests, awelded eye bolt is designed by welding the eye to the shank. This ensures a permanent connection between the eye and the shank, providing reliable support for heavy-duty use in construction, rigging, and industrial lifting. They are designed from stainless steel and meet Unified National Coarse (UNC) thread standards.
Advantages:
- High strength and durability
- Suitable for heavy-duty applications
- Resistant to deformation under load
Note: Welded eye bolts are also available inmetric measurements.
2. Plain Eye Bolt
Plain eye bolts are the most basic type of eye bolt. They are made from stainless steel and feature a simple unthreaded loop, no shoulder, and a threaded shank. The straightforward design makes attaching ropes, cables, and chains easy. However, they cannot support angular loads. They are best suited for medium-duty uses, such as elementary home improvement projects, simple construction tasks, and securing items for transport.
Advantages:
- Simple and easy to use
- Suitable for light to medium loads
- Cost-effective
Note: Plain eye bolts are also available inmetric measurements.
3. Shoulder Eye Bolt
Shoulder eye bolts are designed with a distinct shoulder between the eye and the shank. The strength this shoulder provides allows these eye bolts to reliably support vertical and angular loads. They support heavy machinery and structural projects, and their stainless steel composition makes them invaluable in the maritime industry.
Advantages:
- Can handle angular loads
- Versatile for various applications
- Provides additional stability
Note: Shoulder eye bolts are also available inmetric measurements.
4. Heavy Duty Special Eye Bolt
Heavy-duty special eye bolts are made from stainless steel and designed with a fully threaded shank welded to an eye nut for maximum holding power. This construction ensures exceptional strength for the most demanding uses, like supporting heavy machinery and securing large structures. Their durable design also makes them well-suited for use in the maritime industry, where harsh weather is common.
Advantages:
- Superior strength and durability
- Suitable for extreme loads
- Designed for harsh conditions
5. Machine Eye Bolt
As shared in the name,machine eye bolts are specifically designed for use in machinery. They are crafted from high-quality steel and feature a threaded shank. The shank is screwed directly into tapped holes in machinery, creating a solid hold that supports the lifting of both linear and angular loads. These eye bolts are most often utilized in the construction and manufacturing industries.
Advantages:
- Specifically designed for use with machinery
- Provides a secure attachment point
- Suitable for manufacturing and mechanical applications