Eye Bolts vs Eye Nuts: Which One Do You Need?

Eye bolt or eye nut: what's the difference?

Both give a load a lifting eye, but they attach in opposite ways. An eye bolt has a threaded shank that screws into a tapped hole in the load. An eye nut has a threaded hole that screws onto a stud or bolt that sticks out of the load. Choose by what's on the load: a tapped hole takes an eye bolt; a protruding stud takes an eye nut.

Shoulder or plain pattern eye bolts

Shoulder (machinery) eye bolts have a collar that seats flat against the load. They are the type to use for any angled lift, and even then the rating drops as the angle increases: check the manufacturer's chart. Plain (regular) eye bolts have no shoulder and are for straight, vertical lifts only.

Installing an eye bolt for lifting

• Match the thread exactly: inch (for example 1/2-13) or metric (for example M12), and the full thread length.
• Screw a shoulder eye bolt in until the shoulder sits flush and square on the load. Use a shim only as the manufacturer allows, so the eye lines up with the pull.
• Pull in the plane of the eye, never across it.
• Don't use an eye bolt with bent shanks, damaged threads, cracks or wear, or one whose rating isn't marked.

Eye bolts at Advantage Rigging

We stock forged eye bolts in inch sizes (standard) and metric sizes. See all eye bolts, read Eye Bolts: Sizes, Safety and Applications, or call 480-502-2225 if your load has studs and you need an eye nut.