crossbolt

Crossbolt, sometimes written as cross bolt, is a term used in hardware and woodworking to describe a fastener that passes perpendicularly through two or more components to hold them together. The bolt is typically installed so that the head is on one side of the assembly and a nut or threaded insert secures it on the opposite side, providing resistance to shear and helping to align parts.

In furniture and cabinetry, crossbolts are commonly used to join legs, rails, or brackets to panels and to reinforce right-angle joints. The bolt is guided by aligned holes and then tightened with a nut or a threaded insert, allowing for strong, sometimes removable connections. This configuration is valued for its strength and for enabling disassembly for transport or repair.

Crossbolts also appear in door and window hardware as a means of adding security or structural reinforcement. They may be used to reinforce heavy doors, braces, or strike plates, providing an additional locking element or a robust anchor point for latches and hinges.

In industrial settings, crossbolts function as locking pins or bracing members in brackets, linkages, and machine guards. Materials vary, with steel and stainless steel being common choices to resist wear and corrosion. Installation generally involves precise hole alignment and appropriate torque to avoid loosening, sometimes incorporating anti-loosening features like lock nuts or threadlock.

Notes: the term should not be confused with crossbow bolts, which are projectiles for crossbows. Crossbolt is distinct to fastening and reinforcement contexts in furniture, doors, and machinery.