Nuts and Bolts

[Dennis]

Hello everyone,

While working on a paddle wheel engine model with a large wood A frame, the question of historically accurate fasteners came up.  This engine was built around 1850 and the question raised was when the industry changed from square nuts for fasteners to hex huts for fasteners.

Can anyone recommend a source for information on the history of nuts and bolts or a time line for the development of nuts and bolts?  I would appreciate any comments or references you may have.

Thanks
Dennis

[Dan Rowe]

Dennis,
US or UK? I have a copy of the original Sellers thread which was the first US standard in 1869.

Dan

[Dan Rowe]

Dennis,
Read this article for some background in the US before the standard thread proposed by Sellers:
http://mkrull.blogspot.com/2008/09/william-sellers-inventor-of.html

Whitworth thread standard (1841) predates Sellers.

The Sellers standard has both square and hex with both rough and finish dimensions, so not the usual one size head for any bolt size.

Dan

[Dennis]

Thanks Dan, I will read that link.

Initially I was looking at the US however this subject has captured my interest enough that I would like to find out about both the US and UK and Europe if there is any information available.  The question came up several times in the last few years at model shows here in the US and I have never had a good answer. 

Thank you for the lead and the reply.

Dennis

[Dennis]

Dan,

I downloaded the article you recommended and kept it for my files.  The article is excellent information and helps very much.  Thank you for taking time to send me the link.

Dennis

[Dan Rowe]

Dennis,
Here is a link to a later version of the book I have with the Sellers thread standard.
https://books.google.com/books?id=Auc_AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA22&dq=%22the+Steam+Engine%22+William+Marks+Sellers+thread&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi60Y_b36_YAhVJllQKHewQC_wQ6AEILzAB#v=onepage&q=%22the%20Steam%20Engine%22%20William%20Marks%20Sellers%20thread&f=false

Dan

[Dennis]

Thank you for the help Dan.

Dennis