I'm trying to figure out some information on an old implement. We can not find a serial number tag on it. So my question is: is there a general timeframe factories quit using square headed hardware and went to hex. The object in concern is a pull type corn chopper. Thanks for any input.
Dad and I have discussed this numerous times. Based on our observations, farm equipment, especially implements retained square nuts and bolts much longer than other equipment.
Case in point, I have a Boynton and Plummer Metal Shaper built pre- that has hexnuts on it. On the other hand, I have seen square nuts on equipment built well into the s.
Others know more than me, and I am anxious to hear other input on this. My guess is that it all depends.
-Travis
It seemed like many of the old companies made their own nuts and bolts, so it might be hard to pin down a time line. There is a mix of square and hex on some machines.
It seemed like many of the old companies made their own nuts and bolts, so it might be hard to pin down a time line. There is a mix of square and hex on some machines.
this makes perfect sense if you think about it. as industry grew the demand went up so the fastener businesses was born then it became cheaper to farm that work out. the equipment with a combination of both could be some sizes were not common at that point in time and they continued to make some of their own or they were simply using up what they had.
It also seems to depend on what is being fastened. On Tractors the engine is assembled using hex nuts and bolts, while the frame uses square. The same is true for most engines, the engine itself uses hex while the cart uses square.
i recall hearing that if it was a blind hole say head bolts or something like that they would use hex heads if it went threw and it would be bolted wit squair not sure why but it seems to play out that way frome what i have seen . in general id say the square stuff was disappearing around ww2. but that probably not a big help.
Another thing to consider is simplicity. The average household or farm normally didn't have a multitude of tools. Squares were easy to turn with simplest of tools while a hex fastener required a specialized tool. Someone with an old monkey wrench could pretty much loosen or tighten anything square without slippage.