News

Custom Manufactured 1BA Bolts for Classic Cars

Thomas Smith Fasteners recently produced these specially manufactured 1BA bolts from a drawing for one of our valued customers in the classic car industry.

BA screw threads, also known as British Association screw threads, consist of a series of small threads, with the largest being 0BA and measuring 1/4″ in diameter.

Our team ensured these bolts were manufactured to the client’s precise specifications and quality expectations.

Our expertise in producing standard and custom bolts, nuts, and fasteners is widely recognised. We can produce and supply fasteners in various materials, grades, and surface finishes, making us your ideal collaborator for any upcoming project.

Contact our technical sales team today if you need custom fasteners for your next project.

Classic Ferrari 356-GTC4 Restoration – Part 14

The Missing Years & the Body Restoration Begins

The Ferrari 365 GTC4 left for the repair shop in December 2013. The 50 year old car had been housed undercover to that date and the coming years proved to be a serious shock to the Pininfarina-styled bodywork.

Due to the lack of space in the restorer’s garage, it was agreed that the car could be stored outside but with a cover that would protect it from the elements. This was not a good idea as the cover was not properly secured it continually blew off and the unprotected car was open to the various and onerous elements of the North West England weather which attacked the Ferrari’s steel body.

The restorer garage relocated from one side of Knutsford to the other but without any better facilities for protection as the car was parked under a large tree.

In 2018 the car entered the body shop for stripping down.

The first process was then to send the stripped-down car, chassis, and integral bodywork to be soda blasted followed by a primer coat. It was amazing to discover that the solid steel box section and tubular chassis had survived remarkably well.

The body framework, along with the bonnet and roof are similarly robust but many of the body panels had corroded to the point of no return and would have to be replaced.

Special Manufacture – M28 x 135 Square Head Bolts in Grade 10.9

Thomas Smith Fasteners recently demonstrated our ability to meet unique client requirements by producing these M28 x 135 Square Head Bolts in Grade 10.9 for a customer in the Rail industry.

M28 is an uncommon diameter, but your non-standards are our standards! Our team ensured that the bolts were produced on-time to the exact specifications and quality standards required by the client.

The successful completion of this project reinforces our dedication to quality, precision, and customer satisfaction.

Our reputation for manufacturing both standard and specialised bolts, nuts, and fasteners is well known. We can manufacture fasteners on-site in a variety of materials, grades and surface finishes, making us a perfect partner for your upcoming project.

Contact our sales team today for expert assistance.

Supplying High-Quality Alternator Bolts for the Classic Jaguar E Type

Recently, Thomas Smith Fasteners, a renowned leader in the industrial fasteners industry, had the privilege of supplying alternator bolts for a 1974 Jaguar E Type. This is a testament to our commitment to quality and our ability to meet the specific needs of classic car enthusiasts and restorers.

The 1974 Jaguar E Type: A Legacy Concluding in Style

The Jaguar E Type, a paragon of design and engineering, stands as a classic that has captured the imagination of car enthusiasts and left an indelible mark on automotive history. Introduced in 1961, the E Type boasted a sleek design, high performance, and became an instant icon of the 1960s. The 1974 model marked the end of this legendary line, and the E Type we supplied components for is part of that historic final series.

As one of the last 50 E Types to roll off the production line, this 1974 Jaguar E Type holds a special place in the hearts of collectors. It embodies the culmination of advancements made throughout the car’s evolution, including the powerful V12 engine introduced in the Series III and the refined performance that the E Type is renowned for.

Precision Engineering for a Timeless Classic

The Jaguar E Type, particularly the later models like this 1974 edition, requires precision-engineered components to maintain its original glory. Thomas Smith Fasteners, with our extensive experience and advanced manufacturing capabilities, was able to provide alternator bolts that exactly matched the specifications and quality standards required for such a classic vehicle.

Our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility ensures durability and reliability. The company’s commitment to using both traditional methods and cutting-edge technologies ensures that each bolt meets the high standards expected for a car of the Jaguar E Type’s calibre.

Your Trusted Partner in Automotive Restoration

For car enthusiasts and restorers, Thomas Smith Fasteners remains a trusted partner, providing quality components that help keep the legacy of iconic vehicles like the 1974 Jaguar E Type alive. Our expertise in producing both standard and special bolts, nuts, and fasteners is widely recognised in the automotive sector. The ability to supply fasteners in various materials and grades, along with a range of surface finishes, makes us an ideal choice for classic car restoration projects.

TSF Scotland – CNC Machined Monel K500 Bolts

Here is a great example of precision engineering from our manufacturing department. These CNC machined Monel K500 Bolts were manufactured in-house to exact customer specification.

A nickel-copper alloy, Monel offers high strength, weldability and excellent corrosion resistance in many environments, including seawater, hydrofluoric acid, sulphuric acid and alkalis. Monel fasteners are often used in marine and chemical processing applications.

Monel is durable over a wide temperature range, offering good mechanical properties at subzero temperatures and can be used in temperatures as high as 1000F.

Corrosion resistance is similar to nickel, but Monel offers higher maximum working pressures and temperatures as well as improved machining ability.

Specialist Fastener Manufacturing

Our expertise in producing standard and special bolts, nuts, and fasteners is widely recognised. The ability to supply fasteners in various materials and grades, along with a range of surface finishes, makes us an ideal choice for your next project.

Contact our sales teams today for expert assistance.
Glasgow: 01698 826 464
Manchester: 01942 520 260.

Copper Washer Kits now in stock

After recent demand, we have now put Copper Washer packs in our range of kits.

These kits are popular in the Car, Marine, Generator and Machine and Plant Sectors.

Available to buy for just £19.99 per kit

Description:
– Top quality copper material, melting point up to 1083 Celsius.
– Good electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity.
– 200 pcs solid copper sump plug washer set.
– Great for sump plugs, water, fuel and hydraulic fittings.

Specifics:
Material: copper
Color: as picture shows
Box size: approx. 130x68x22mm
Size types: 9 (M5-M14)
Quantity: 200pcs
Weight: 170g
Size: (I/D x O/D x Depth)
30pcs M5*9*1
30pcs M6*10*1
20pcs M6*12*1
20pcs M8*12*1
20pcs M8*14*1
20pcs M10*14*1
20pcs M12*16*1
20pcs M12*18*1.5
20pcs M14*18*1

My work experience at Thomas Smith Fasteners

Hi, my name is Annabel and I’m in my second year at Lancaster University. During my three month Summer break, Thomas Smith Fasteners gave me the opportunity to work for them full time in the Sales office. During my time here, I have gained some valuable skills that I can transfer both into my studies and my future career.  

During my time at Thomas Smith Fasteners, I processed sales orders, communicated with customers over the phone and via email, and answered customer queries about the services we provide. This boosted my confidence and ability to communicate in a professional and efficient manner, whilst still maintaining a rapport with the customers to boost sales and improve customer experience.  

I also frequently created purchase orders and conversed with suppliers on at least a weekly basis. This required me to attentively keep an eye on our stock levels and use my initiative when deciding when to order stock and how much money to spend.  

Maths has always been a weaker skill for me, but my experience at Thomas Smith Fasteners has greatly improved this. In my role, I calculated gross profit, completed our end-of-day banking every day, and used bulk prices to calculate the price of an individual item. These tasks have boosted an essential skill that I can transfer into other roles, my studies, and everyday life. 

Moreover, my role included a lot of marketing and outreach work. I experimented social media marketing, sending out emails to prospect customers and ringing past customers to discuss their needs. 

I am extremely lucky and privileged to have been given this opportunity to work in a busy, fast-paced workplace during my university Summer break. Thank you to Thomas Smith Fasteners for allowing me to gain an insight into how businesses work, and I would love to be back someday! 

UNJEF 12 Point Screws

Another weird and wonderful order was received recently for some 12 Point Flange Nuts and Screws in Black Oxide for the aerospace industry.The customer specified UNJEF thread which is a very unusual thread form. UNJEF are ultra fine pitch threads. The thread accuracy is referred to as a 3B class of fit or a 2B class of fit.Normally we take days to complete our standard jobs, but this part took 3 weeks due to its complexity.#engineering #fasteners #manufacturing

Bolts For Historical Guns on a War Ship

Everyday is a learning day here at Thomas Smith Fasteners.

A couple of weeks ago, we received a unique request to manufacture some ‘historical gun bolts’ for an old war ship which is now a floating museum.

At first, we did not know what these bolts were, but after more communication with the customer, we matched them to 1/2 BSW x 1 Slotted Dome Head Brass Bolts.

2 weeks later we had them manufactured and delivered to the customer.

#engineering #manufacturing #fasteners