A long time ago when I was building my 48 Ford, I ran across some "washers" for allen head bolts. These were shaped like a cup and had a hole in the middle for the allen head bolt to go into. The purpose of these "washers" was to increase the contact area of the head of the allen bolt. I am in need of some of these again, but don't know where to find them. I checked McMaster-Carr, Grainger and Mr Gasket with no luck. Any one heard of these and know where I can get some? Thanks

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I think a cupped washer is called a belleville washer.


Lawrenceville, GA

Paul:

How about an industrial hardware supplier, such as Fastenal, or a tool shop supply house?

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I believe the washers being discussed are usually described as "conical washers" - and they are a type of Belleville washer intended for use with a capscrew. They have a certain (designed) amount of crush pressure and are known to increase the fatigue life of high strength bolted joints. Some types are also serrated to make them a bit more "shake proof". My outfit gets them from this source - in our system they are labeled as "serrated conical washers" - but we are an industrial quantity buyer in huge sizes...................they might be able to tell you about a retail source. 

http://www.schnorr.com/index.html

I can vouch for the fact that they work - and well - in some horrendous mining environments. They are in fact the "name" brand that virtually evey other outfit goes to for this type of hardware.

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

I checked with my purchasing guy this morning and he says the "plain" (unserrated) conical washers are available from Fastenal - for what its worth he also said that pricing was "stupid".

They are primarily metric spec parts so you have do some math to get the hole size you want.

(1/4)   .25 = 6.35 MM

(5/16) .313 = 7.95 MM

(3/8)   .375 = 9.53 MM

(7/16)  .438 = 11.13 MM

(1/2)   .50 = 12.7 MM

(9/16)  .563 = 14.29 MM

(5/8)  .625 = 15.88 MM

 
 Steve Metzger       Tucson, Arizona

We used them when I worked in aviation in the Army. So if you have a local airport talk to one of the mechanics. I've never found a aviation mechanic that wasn't happy to help others and show off his stuff.

Ol'ford nutCentral Iowa

56 Vic w/292 & 4 spd.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I went to the Fastenal site and neither a conical nor a belleville washer is what I am looking for.



Washer is probably not the correct term for what I am looking for. These are a full cup with a hole in the bottom. The sides are as tall as the allen bolt itself, and is fairly thick, making it about the same size as a regular bolt but is round. The benefit is that the increased diameter of the head gives it increased load capacity while the round head makes it work better in a smaller space.



So any other suggestions?

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Paul:

I found this site they have drawings of a cupped washer maybe what you got before. I checked my Spaenaur and only thing close they had is listed below as a spacer washer.
Have a look.
marv

http://www.williewasher.com/About.asp

http://www.williewasher.com/CupWashers_LineDrawings.asp?lid=56 

http://www.spaenaur.com/pdf/sectionD/D70.pdf

hi there

i think i know what you are describing but i have never seen one.  personally i don't like allen heads for the reasons you describe.  the only time they work for me is when they are sunk below the surface as on a motorcycle timing cover.  the other problem is they often have a generous radius under the head requiring a corresponding chamfer on the washer.  sorry for rambling.    but if you can't find the genuine article maybe a plain washer will work.    ARP has washers some quite thick with or without chamfers.  they are available through Summit i believe still quite pricey but quality. i f you find the cup variety let us know.    always willing to learn.

happy hunting stuey