Flat Washers

Frequently Asked Questions

Flat washers are ideal for increasing surface area and distributing the applied force when tightening a fastener. They can be used on the fastener's bolt & nut sides, or used as spacers when using a bolt may not be appropriate.
Lock washers produce tension during tightening to control the loosening of nuts. They are commonly used on the fastener's nut side for applications involving vibrations.

Place the flat washer between the threaded fastener (like a nut) and the screw / bolt head.
Make sure that the washer presses against the fastener & other adjacent surfaces to form a tight connection. Press the fastener down to lock the grooves of a serrated washer with the grooves of the nut.
Use a wrench or ratchet to tighten the nut / threaded fastener.
Ensure that the teeth of a serrated washer are covered completely by the nut / fastener head, or that a split washer is slightly out of alignment. This indicates tension on the threaded fastener. Users may loosen the nut / threaded fastener to adjust the washer if it is not operating correctly.

Simply remove the nut / threaded fastener that is holding the washer in place using a vice-grip or pipe wrench.
Use a flat screwdriver to pry a lock washer off. When removing a split washer, the screwdriver head should be placed inside the split or beneath the washer and pushed. When removing a washer having teeth, the screwdriver head should be placed under a tooth and pushed up, repeating the procedure with more teeth if required. For other flat washer types, the screwdriver head can be placed below the washer and pushed up. The washer may break during removal, depending on the amount of pressure being applied.
If the flat washer does not budge, use penetrating oil and repeat the previous step.
Some flat washers can be used multiple times easily. Other washers (split lock) can be used only 1 or 2 times. Users should not reuse a split flat washer or other damaged washers. Do not use old washers in high-stress joint applications.