You’d be surprised how often we hear that question at Bolt-In Co Sunshine Coast — usually followed by a sheepish look and someone holding up a mystery bolt like they just dug it out of a time capsule.

And you know what? Fair enough. Fasteners aren’t exactly glamorous. They don’t have shiny touchscreens or Bluetooth. But they hold everything together — literally.

Whether you're building a deck, fixing a boat trailer, or trying to stop your shed door falling off again, the fasteners you use matter. And here on the Sunshine Coast, where salt air, humidity, and wild weather are part of the deal, they matter even more.

So if you’re wondering what you need to know about nuts and bolts, here’s your crash course — from someone who’s had more conversations about threads than is probably healthy.

 1. Material Matters – More Than You Think

You’ve got options: mild steel, galvanised, zinc-plated, stainless steel — and each one plays a different role.

If you’re anywhere near the coast, and your fastener's going to see daylight, do yourself a favour and go with stainless steel fasteners. Ideally marine grade SS316 — it’s built to resist corrosion, even in salty, humid conditions. Anything less, and you’ll be revisiting that job before your tan fades.

2. Thread Type: Fine, Coarse, and Everything In Between

It might seem like a minor detail, but using the wrong thread can strip your fastener, ruin your timber or steel, and leave you muttering unpleasant things under your breath.

Metric or imperial? Fine or coarse? It depends on what you’re doing. Coarse threads are better for soft materials and quick assembly. Fine threads are stronger and resist loosening. And yes — it matters.

3. Grades – Not Just for School

Fastener grades indicate strength. For example, Grade 8.8 is a high-tensile bolt used in structural applications. Grade 12.9 is the heavy-duty end of town – think machinery, suspension, and anything with serious load-bearing.

If you’re just screwing something into timber, don’t overthink it. But if it’s critical (and might hurt someone if it fails), ask us about grades.

4. Coatings and Corrosion Resistance

Coatings exist for a reason — usually to stop your fastener turning orange and flaking apart. Zinc-plated? Fine indoors. Galvanised? Good for external timber. Black oxide? It looks cool, but don’t expect it to survive a wet week outside.

When in doubt, stainless steel is your friend. Particularly marine grade fasteners if your job’s near water. Or weather. Or air.

5. Bolts, Nuts, Washers — Get the Combo Right

You’d be amazed how often people grab a bolt and walk out without the right nut. Or forget the washer entirely, then wonder why everything’s loosening up faster than a backyard deck in cyclone season.

Your fasteners are a system. They work together. Make sure you’ve got the right pairings — and yes, that includes spring washers when it counts.

6. Torque: Not Just a Fancy Word for Tight

Under-tighten and things rattle. Over-tighten and you shear your bolt or crush the material. Torque settings are especially important in high-stress jobs. If you're not sure, ask us. Guessing torque is like guessing brake fluid — risky business.

7. Ask Questions. No One’s Born Knowing This Stuff.

You don’t have to know it all — that’s what we’re here for. You bring the job, the context, and the problem. We’ll help you find the right fastener for the job, and explain the difference between your stainless steel nuts and bolts and the ones that end up in landfill.

We’ve got shelves full of quality stock, and we don’t sell rubbish. If it doesn’t hold up, we don’t carry it.

Final Word from the Counter

At Bolt-In Co, we’ve been around long enough to know a shortcut bolt leads to a long weekend of regret. So if you’re after fasteners Sunshine Coast that won’t fail you when the pressure’s on — we’ve got you.

Pop into our Maroochydore shop, or order online. We ship Australia-wide, and we pack every box like it’s heading into a cyclone.

Come with questions. Leave with the right gear.