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Screw or Allen key bolt for woodworking items?

Hi, I hope this sort of question is ok.

I'm looking into a woodworking hobby/small business. I'm wondering based on you lovely people's personal experience whether a regular screw or Allen key bolt would be better for my small projects that I hope to sell eventually.

If people have to put my items together a little themselves, in your opinion would it be more user friendly to use/include screws or Allen key bolts?

Thanks 🙂

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JacobZ

Hi @EbonyM,

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your questions.

Using Allen key bolts and including an Allen key would make your product accessible to more end users, but this would make your production costs higher.

You'd need to do a cost/benefit analysis to see what you think, but if the market segment you are targeting is unlikely to have screwdrivers, drills or drivers, then an Allen key bolt seems like the way to go.

Allow me to tag @Nailbag, @Dave-1 and @Noyade for their thoughts.

Jacob

Dave-1

Good Afternoon @EbonyM

Mmmmm hard call really. Most "Flat pack" styled things are allen key put together, and then there are also things that requiring screws.

Id probarlly look at the items you are thinking of and see what may be easiest to use to hold the item together. Movement of the item, closesness to the edge of the timber would be a factor in determining a captured socket for allen keys or a self tapper styled screw.

Putting the item together yourself would actually lead ytou towards an answer (as in difficulties putting it together)

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @EbonyM

I think most people who buy flat-packed products are very accustomed to using an Allan key. As @JacobZ mentioned it would be a more expensive fixing over screws as they need to have both the bolt and nut insert.

If done right with a quality well secured nut insert that would spin if over-tightened was implemented, it would ensure a greater build experience for your customers. So would including a long reach Allan key over a standard short length one that also had a ball end. This allows the key to be reached and used in odd angles wile still making good contact with the screw. It also prevents the rounding out of both key and screw head. Again giving you a point of difference and a greater build experience. As an FYI a hex key and an Allan key are the same thing when doing your research.

Allan key screws will also allow you to select from different styled heads from just practical to decorative.

Nailbag

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