If you’ve ever been faced with a situation where you needed to join together two threaded rods, you’ve probably found that the task doesn’t have an immediate solution. The ends of threaded rods are usually flat, and while industrial epoxies may work, the weight imbalance and physics involved can mean that the bond won’t hold if too much force is exerted upon the connection.
Thankfully, there’s an easy solution to this problem, and it’s found in the use of coupling nuts. Coupling nuts are internally threaded nuts that can be used to join together two threaded ends, and they can be used for threaded rods, screws and various other externally threaded parts. To find coupling nuts, one solution is to look locally at your nearest hardware store. You can also contact Baco Enterprises, a supplier of coupling nuts of various different types, including hex coupling nuts, 316 coupling nuts and stainless steel coupling nuts.
Extending A Rod Using Two Separate Rods
One of the most common reasons for needing to join two threaded rods together is to extend the length of a piece. Coupling nuts do this by allowing each side to screw in, but you need to remember that the threading only goes one way. This means that both threaded ends will move in one direction. If you need a solution to tighten both threaded ends so that they lock into the center of a fastener, you might consider looking for a turnbuckle instead.
Reducing Rods Of Different Sizes
Because coupling nuts are used to extend a threaded rod by joining two pieces together, they can also be used to reduce threaded rods when the sizes don’t match. If you have one rod that measures in at 3/8” and another that measures ½”, a traditional coupling nut won’t work because the threading will be the same throughout the center.
A coupling nut used for reducing will feature two separate threads of differing sizes on either side, allowing you to join two rods of different sizes. Keep in mind that the length of the nut will determine the final length of the rod, so you need to account for the nut length when measuring your rods against your project’s measurements.
Choosing The Right Materials
When joining together two threaded rods using a coupling nut, you’re going to want to consider the material that the rods are made of as well as the material that the nut is made from. Coupling nuts are constructed using different alloys with carbon steel being a popular choice. Some rod coupler nuts are also plated with zinc or are galvanized to protect the metal against corrosion.
How your threaded rods interact with your coupling nuts can also come down to material choice. For instance, if you use stainless steel coupling nuts and your threaded rods have titanium in them, you may experience galvanic corrosion. Over time, this corrosion can weaken the metal of both the coupling nut and the threaded rods, eventually weakening the bond and potentially leading to material failure.
Talk To An Expert
If you’re not sure how to choose the right coupling nuts for your specific project or you’re concerned about the potential for galvanic corrosion, you’re encouraged to talk with an expert. Many hardware stores employ specialists who can walk you through choosing the right materials for your project, but you can also contact a supplier of fastener hardware for advice and guidance. Some general contractors may also be willing to discuss your project and provide helpful advice to ensure you find the right supplies to meet your project’s needs.
