Wing Nut

What is a wing nut?

A wing nut has two flat wings so you can spin it on and tighten or undo it by hand, with no spanner. Hobson describes it as used where quick tightening and loosening by hand is needed, and lists light fittings, furniture, electrical fittings and light machinery as typical uses. They are also called butterfly nuts or thumb nuts.

A wing nut is only as tight as a hand can make it, and Hobson publishes no load or torque ratings for these wing nuts. Do not use them for structural, load-bearing or safety jobs such as trailers, towing or anything lifted or hung overhead: those need a rated fastener tightened with a tool, or an engineer's specification.

Stainless, galvanised, zinc or nylon wing nuts?

Match the wing nut to the bolt or screw it goes on (the same thread and, for metal, a similar material) and to the conditions:

• •Zinc plated mild steel (M6 to M12, 1/2 inch UNC): a 5 micron zinc coating that Hobson recommends for indoor and non-corrosive conditions.
• •Mechanically galvanised mild steel (M8 to M16): a 50 micron coating that Hobson rates for high corrosion resistance, with corrosion resistance Hobson describes as similar to hot dip galvanising. Use it with galvanised bolts and rod.
• •304 stainless (A2): good corrosion resistance; Hobson notes 304 resists most food processing environments and is easily cleaned, so it suits kitchens, food equipment and general outdoor work.
• •316 stainless (A4): better resistance near the sea, and the grade Hobson's corrosion guide calls for within 2m of a pool edge. Neither 304 nor 316 is made to sit in seawater.
• •Natural nylon (DIN 315 metric, and UNC): Hobson says nylon is light, offers high wear resistance and is designed to resist rust and corrosion, and its nylon guide adds that it absorbs shock and vibration, protects surfaces and gives good electrical insulation. For light hand-tightened jobs only.

Wing nut sizes

Every wing nut we carry, by material, smallest to largest. The size is the thread of the bolt or screw it fits: an M8 wing nut goes on an M8 bolt, a 1/4 inch UNC wing nut on a 1/4 inch UNC screw. Select a row to open it in the selector.

Wing nut dimensions (zinc plated)

Hobson publishes dimensions for the zinc plated wing nuts. Wing width is the span across both wings, wing height is from the base to the top of the wings, and outside diameter is the round body around the thread.

Fitting wing nuts

1. Match the thread exactly: metric coarse, UNC or BSW, and the same size as the bolt.
2. Fit a flat washer under the wing nut on soft or painted surfaces, or where the hole is oversize.
3. Tighten by hand. The wings are made for hand tightening; Hobson describes wing nuts as tool-free.
4. On stainless bolts, a stainless wing nut can gall (seize) on the thread. Hobson's galling sheet suggests lubricating the thread or using a different stainless grade for the nut and the bolt.
5. Check wing nuts on anything that vibrates, and retighten them as needed.

Wing nuts in Adelaide

Allmat supplies wing nuts, wing screws, bolts, nuts and washers to fabricators, electricians, shopfitters and trade across Adelaide and South Australia. Add them to a quote with the rest of your list, and we will price the lot.

Questions