What Are Some Questions To Ask When Ordering Custom Fasteners?

So, you want bespoke fasteners? You’ve narrowed down your list of manufacturing tasks and are ready to get estimates. But how do you ensure that you will get the fasteners you need? What are the best questions to ask? Being fully prepared before getting on the line with a supplier can be difficult. 

Don’t panic, this checklist can help you deal with your concerns. The following are some major considerations to keep in mind before placing your order. 

What Kind of Custom Fasteners Can You Manufacture?

Fasteners come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the most typical are bolts, screws, nuts, washers, clips, and pins. There are many variations in each of these, and every use case comes with some specific conditions the fastener should meet. When buying screws, for instance, it’s crucial to know what kind of head you require (flat, pan, truss, and so on.) Each one serves a particular purpose.

You can create your product using conventional off-the-shelf elements, or bespoke fasteners that best suit your needs. Off-the-shelf constituents are less expensive, but they rarely fully meet your needs. Although it is pricier, engineering custom fasteners ensure that the products best match your use criteria.

Which Types Of Materials Do You Use?

Material selection by your custom components' manufacturer must strike the balance between cost-effectiveness and long-term functionality for the finished piece.

The amount of fastening required differs from application to application. For instance, one task may call for steel rivets, whereas another project, or perhaps a separate section of the same task, calls for aluminum rivets.

The best vendors provide a wide range of materials for your project. With fasteners, selecting the correct material is critical not just in terms of cost, but also in terms of strength, corrosion resistance, and durability.

What Types Of Finishing Do You Use?

Apart from material selection, the type of coat or finishing applied to a custom piece has a significant effect on its suitability for the task at hand.

For example, an electro-polish finishing eliminates minor defects and any undesirable particles that could latch on during a metallic phase. This enhances the components' usability in applications requiring non-stick coatings.

You can also ask about the company’s unique material handling baskets. If they’re using baskets with a soft PVC coating, it enables them to handle fragile goods without damaging them. Paying attention to these details helps to ensure that your fasteners won’t have blemishes.

What Type Of Quality Assurance Methods Do You Implement?

Quality assurance demands affect all phases of your project. The most crucial aspect of fastener manufacturing is quality control and inspection. It ensures both quality products and outcomes that meet your standards.

Ask for quantitative analysis of the fasteners, along with supporting verifiable proof of detailed testing results.

How Quickly Can You Turn My Order Around?

One reason a manufacturer outsources component production is that they have a restricted timeline and cannot fulfill your order themselves. It is vital to consider how quickly your manufacturer can create and deliver a specific part or component to complete your order. 

Getting a manufacturer to assist you in obtaining key product components in a timely manner is essential to keeping your commitments.

Get Your Custom Fasteners from a Reputable Source

Your firm's ability to service deadlines and deliver desirable and effective final products depends on your suppliers' potential to provide quality and timely delivery when you have to source custom parts. Your brand's image is on the line, make sure your potential manufacturing partner offers outstanding products on time before making a commitment.

Big Bolt manufactures high tensile bolts and fasteners, along with HV grade hot-dip galvanized fasteners and specialty fasteners. We provide our clients with comprehensive solutions for all of their fastener needs, and most of our products are used in a wide range of industries across the globe. Not only that, but we are also ISO 9001:2015 certified, demonstrating that quality and efficiency are key concerns for us. Get in touch with us right away to request a quote or place your custom order!