Bolt heads
If a six-sided bolt is desired the same method is used. The head is made six-sided instead of being squared as was done in the first case. The bolt is finally cut to the required length and the end is bevelled off ready for threading. Bolts may be made without going through the process of upsetting the stock. In that case the bars used are of any diameter, depending upon the size of the stem needed. Bend a piece of iron for a collar to give you the amount of stock required for the bolt head. Heat the end of the iron bar. Put this hot end into the collar. Upset it so that it fills the space in the collar. Put it into the fire, then weld and finish as you did in making the head with the end upset.
All bolts that are on the market except special bolts are made by bolt heading machines. Up to 3⁄8 in. in diameter all bolts are made without the use of heat. Those above that size are all heated red hot and the principle is exactly the same as you used when you made the bolt by hand. The machine upsets the head and at the same time shapes it into any desired shape.
NUTS
Nuts are used in conjunction with bolts for fastening things together or tightening up parts of machines. There are two ways of making nuts; one is to cut a piece of metal off the right length, punch a hole in the middle, and finish it by shaping it on the end of a mandrel or punch. The second way is to weld a collar and shape this on a mandrel. Though the second method involves welding and is the more difficult of the two, it is the better method. However, the grain of the metal in the second method runs around the nut, while in the former case it runs lengthwise. For this reason the nut is apt to split when tightened up too tight on the bolt. The method explained here is the easier one of the two: it is the simple process of making the nut by punching the hole.
Material: Stock 1 × 5⁄8 in. of wrought iron, any length.
Tools: Hammer, punch, hot chisel, pair of calipers.
