As shown in the adjacent image, cotter pins consist of a narrow U-shaped piece of metal with a flared and circular top. Cotter pins are inserted into a bolt to prevent the bolt from loosening. How Cotter Pins Work Cotter pins work by preventing the bolt in which they are inserted from coming out.
What are cotter pins?
However, the term “cotter pin” is also sometimes referred to as a split pin, an R-clip, or a circle cotter. Here are a few of the different types of fasteners that are also considered cotter pins: Split pins: Often called cotter pins, split pins are bent in half so that both ends may be inserted through the same hole.
How do you remove a cotter pin?
You can insert a cotter pin into a hole to secure a component. And you can typically remove cotter pins by pulling them out of the hole. While all cotter pins function as metal fasteners, though, they are available in different types. One of the most common types of cotter pins is extended prong.
How do you use a cotter pin as a locking mechanism?
A cotter pin acts as a locking mechanism and can be used in many different situations. Cotter Pins are a simple to use fastener that requires nothing more than a bolt with a hole in it (and a drill if the bolt does not have a hole), a pair of pliers and a castle nut. Installing a locking pin is a simple process:
What are the different types of pins?
There are at least four different types of pins. They include cotter pins, spring clips, hitch pins, and safety wire or cable ties.
Are cotter pins the same as split pins?
A cotter pin, also known as a split pin, is a metal fastener with two tines that are bent during installation. Typically made of thick wire with a half-circular cross section, split pins come in multiple sizes and types.
What are the two types of cotter pins?
Split pin, a metal fastener with two tines that are bent during installation used to fasten metal together, like with a staple or rivet. Hairpin cotter pin, more commonly known as an "R-clip" Bowtie cotter pin, a vibration-proof type of R-clip that is shaped like a bowtie.
What is the difference between a cotter pin and a clevis pin?
There are two main types of Clevis Pins: threaded and unthreaded. Unthreaded Clevis Pins have a domed head at one end and a cross-hole at the other end. A Cotter Pin is used to keep the Clevis Pin in place. Threaded Clevis Pins are partially threaded on one end with a formed head on the other.
What is the purpose of a cotter pin?
Cotter pins are wire formed pins with two prongs that separate during installation. They are used as a locking device to hold pins or castle nuts in place. These low-cost and highly versatile fasteners are used virtually everywhere.
What do split pins look like?
A split pin, also known in the United States of America as a cotter pin or cotter key, is a metal fastener with two tines that are bent during installation, similar to a staple or rivet. Typically made of thick wire with a half-circular cross section, split pins come in multiple sizes and types.
What can I use instead of a cotter pin?
Instead of cotter pins, you can also try ring pins, as these have no sharp edges, but they tend to work their way out of the hole and fall off, thus making them an undesirable choice. The next option is to use seizing wire and wrap the turnbuckle to the screw hole.
What does a clevis look like?
The clevis is a U-shaped piece that has holes at the end of the prongs to accept the clevis pin. The clevis pin is similar to a bolt, but is either partially threaded or unthreaded with a cross-hole for a split pin.
What is the difference between a cotter pin and a spring pin?
A head on one end acts as a stop, while a hole punched through the opposite end can be fitted with a cotter pin or simply tied off or moused to keep the clevis pin in place. A spring pin is formed with a groove or slot, allowing the pin to fit into holes of a smaller diameter than the pin itself.
How do you use a hairpin cotter pin?
0:061:50QUICK TIP: Use hairpin cotters instead for tractor bucket pinsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd you slip those in there and then take some safety wire double the safety wire around clenched.MoreAnd you slip those in there and then take some safety wire double the safety wire around clenched.
What's the difference between a cotter pin and a cotter key?
What Are Cotter Pins? “Traditional” or straight cotter pins are metal fasteners with two parallel tines that are bent after installation to secure the pin in place. Also known as cotter keys or split pins, they are inserted through holes in clevis pins.
How do you pull a cotter pin?
0:001:33How to remove a stubborn Cotter Pin like a BOSS! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo what I like to do is take the tailing. Side. And get it nice and straight with some needle noseMoreSo what I like to do is take the tailing. Side. And get it nice and straight with some needle nose pliers three tools I use needle nose pliers side cuts or dikes.
How do you secure a cotter pin?
Insert the cotter pin into the hole of the bolt until the head of the pin rests against the bolt. Secure the cotter pin by spreading the prongs in opposite directions, using pliers if desired. Use diagonal cutters to cut excess length from either prong, according to your application standards.
What is the difference between a roll pin and a spring pin?
Spring Pins & Roll Pins Spring Pins, sometimes referred to as slotted pins, rolled pins or coiled rolled pins, are hollow, cylindrical tube-style press fit fasteners with chamfered ends. Rolled pins are used as locking devices, positioning points, anti-chafing surfaces, shafts, or sleeves for wiring.
What is the difference between a cotter pin and a spring pin?
A head on one end acts as a stop, while a hole punched through the opposite end can be fitted with a cotter pin or simply tied off or moused to keep the clevis pin in place. A spring pin is formed with a groove or slot, allowing the pin to fit into holes of a smaller diameter than the pin itself.
What's the difference between a cotter pin and a cotter key?
What Are Cotter Pins? “Traditional” or straight cotter pins are metal fasteners with two parallel tines that are bent after installation to secure the pin in place. Also known as cotter keys or split pins, they are inserted through holes in clevis pins.
What is a groove pin?
Groove pins, or grooved dowel pins, are solid press fit fasteners that have three parallel grooves. The grooves, sometimes defined as flutes, displace material in the pin creating a void. When the pin is pressed into a hole, the grooves pinch shut creating tension that locks the pin in place.
Is Cotter Pin reusable?
The split pins may be constructed from different types of materials that can be bent adequately. In general, once the pin is deformed, it will reta...
How to remove a Cotter Pin?
The procedure of the cotter pin removal is very easy. First of all, you need to get pliers and use them to bend the pin arms and make them straight...
What is a Spring Pin?
Spring pins are a type of fasteners used to fix the relative position of more than one part of a machine. A slotted spring pin is a cylindrical pin...
Why should you use a Cotter Pin?
The cotter pins are used in a wide variety of applications. It can be used as a quick locking mechanism that can easily disassemble and replace, bu...
What are Cotter Pins Used for?
A cotter pin is a fastener that secures a nut to a screw. To use a pin, you need to drill a small hole in the bolt.
What are cotter pins made of?
Different Types Of Cotter Pins. Cotter pins are used to fasten two pieces of equipment together. They are typically made of metal and have a “T” shaped end that pinches the material between them.
What are the different types of cotter pins?
Here we will discuss some common ones: – Standard Cotter Pin These types of pins can either be straight or curved in shape and come with two different ends – one for attaching it to an object and one for attaching it to another pin.
What is a hammerlock cotter pin?
A hammerlock cotter pin is one of the different types of cotter pins. The head and shank are forged to be integral, but they’re not welded together like a full-pinned construction would be.
Why is it called a cotter pin?
This type of fastener is called the cotter pin because it was first used by a Scotsman named James Cotter (Sr.). The idea came to him while he was trying to figure out how to keep two pieces of wire together and noticed that they fit snugly after being twisted in opposite directions.
What is a split pin?
A split pin is different because only half attaches to each side while both ends have pointed tips that can enter pre-drilled holes. Cotter pins are more likely to be made from steel whereas split pins tend to be made from brass. This type of fastener is called the cotter pin because it was first used by a Scotsman named James Cotter (Sr.).
What is a clevis pin?
A clevis pin is one of the different types of cotter pins. A cotter pin that has an enlarged head on either end and little or no shank in between, used typically to attach a rope (or chain) to something like a sailboat boom. The round heads are easier for binding lines than, say, the flat ones of other varieties.
What is a cotter pin?
Cotter pin is a fastener used for locking the nuts onto the bolts. You have to drill a small hole into the bolt to use it. Cotter pins are commonly used in Clevis pins, as it has a premade hole in it.
How to remove a cotter pin?
Removing a cotter pin is an extremely simple task. Simply use pliers to bend the arms of the pin back straight enough to squeeze through the hole. If the pin is worn, these arms may simply snap off and then the rounded eye portion can simply be pulled out and replaced with a new one.
How to get a cotter pin out of a hole?
Using pliers, bend the ends of the cotter pin away from each other so the cotter pin cannot come out of the hole. Pro Tip: When bending the cotter pin, try to round the points to look back in at the fastener. This will prevent them from catching on anything accidentally.
How to install a locking pin?
Installing a locking pin is a simple process: Attach the castle nut to the bolt and fasten it into place. Make a mark on the bolt or leave the castle pin installed. Using a drill and bit, drill a hole into the bolt at this point straight through the cross-section of the bolt. You can make a starting point by using a metal punch.
What is a split pin?
Whereas Split pins are made up of harder grade steel. It is once inserted into the hole to lock the nut.
Can you reuse cotter pins?
As a general rule, cotter pins should not be reused as the extra bending weakens the pin. This can lead to the pin failing where a fresh pin would not resulting in a broken lock allowing the nut to spin loose.
Do you need a cotter pin for a motorcycle?
Cotter pins , while not considered necessary to every installation, may be necessary depending on the application. For example: A motorcycle front wheel is often held on by a castle nut and a cotter pin as it is subject to intense constant vibrations.
