These nuts tighten when turned to the left. Use them with left-hand rods and screws to prevent counterclockwise-moving parts from loosening.

About half the height of standard-profile nuts, these fit in spaces with low clearance. You can also use them as jam nuts by threading them against another hex nut to hold it in place.

Confirm that threads are fastened to the right depth at a glance. If you see threads through the sight hole, you'll know that they are properly engaged to ensure a strong hold. Also known as extension nuts, these are commonly used to connect lengths of threaded rod and join threaded parts.

Get the protection of a cap nut with the vibration resistance of a locknut. These nuts not only conceal protruding screw threads, they also have a nylon insert that grips the screw to prevent loosening from moderate vibration. However, the insert may become brittle if exposed to high temperatures. Nuts are reusable a handful of times, but their holding power decreases with each use.

Also known as reversible locknuts, these thread on from either side, so you don't have to worry about fastening them incorrectly and damaging your screw. The irregularly shaped threads in the middle grip the screw for a stronger hold than nylon-insert locknuts. Although the threads prevent the nut from backing out due to vibration, they also increase the effort to install and remove. To get these nuts off, you may need special tools, such as an impact wrench or propane torch. Nuts are not reusable.

Irregularly shaped threads at the top of these locknuts grip the screw for a stronger hold than nylon-insert locknuts. Although the threads prevent the nut from backing out due to vibration, they also increase the effort to install and remove. To get these nuts off, you may need special tools, such as an impact wrench or propane torch. Nuts are not reusable.

For a stronger hold than nylon-insert cap nuts, these have irregularly shaped threads that grip the screw to resist loosening. The threads prevent the nut from backing out in high-vibration applications, but they also increase the effort to install and remove. To get these nuts off, you may need special tools, such as an impact wrench or propane torch. They have a smooth, rounded head that conceals and protects protruding screw threads while creating a finished look. Nuts are not reusable.