Grainger 1/4" UNC nut 1/4" UNC hex nut

Grainger 1/4" UNC nut, reliable hex nut for precise bolted connections

Sometimes it’s the small parts that save the entire assembly. The Grainger 1/4" UNC nut falls exactly into this category, a classic hex nut with 1/4" UNC thread, cleanly cut, right-hand, and ready for anything you ask of it.

Technical details of the 1/4" UNC hex nut

This nut uses the widely used 1/4" UNC thread. For you, that means a coarse, robust thread pitch, ideal for joints that need to remain stable even under vibration, frequent disassembly, or somewhat rough handling. The thread is right-hand, as is common in mechanical engineering, workshops, and typical assembly work.

The nut type is the classic hex shape. This allows you to grip and tighten it easily with standard tools such as open-end wrenches, ring spanners, or sockets. Even in tight spaces, the hex format usually works well because you have multiple engagement points for the tool.

Material variants: from stainless to blackened

In many projects, a single version won’t get you far. That’s why the 1/4" UNC nut is available in different material variants, each with its own strengths:

• 18-8 stainless steel, ideal if you value corrosion resistance, for example outdoors, in damp environments, or in applications where the joint simply needs to stay clean and reliable for a long time.
• Blackened steel, a good choice when the focus is more on a discreet, dark appearance and a solid, dry environment. The blackened surface looks understated and fits well into technical assemblies where reflections are undesirable.

This allows you to decide, depending on the place of use, whether durability outdoors, a specific look, or a more technical, functional appearance is more important to you. We’d say: better to make a conscious choice once than retrofit twice later.

Matching variants: wing nut, self-locking nut, and knurled nut

Around the 1/4" UNC thread there is a whole little family of matching nuts that differ in detail but all use the same thread type. This makes combining them in your project pleasantly simple.

For example, there is the 1/4" UNC wing nut with 18-8 stainless steel thread. It also uses the 1/4" UNC right-hand thread but can be gripped without tools and tightened or loosened by hand. Perfect when you need to readjust frequently or regularly open a joint.

Then there is the 1/4" UNC hex nut in a version made of blackened steel. It retains the familiar hex format and the 1/4" UNC right-hand thread but blends in unobtrusively with darker constructions and is particularly interesting if you prefer a robust but non-glossy surface.

For applications where absolutely nothing is allowed to loosen by itself, the 1/4" UNC hex nut with nylon insert is interesting. It is self-locking, also uses the 1/4" UNC right-hand thread, and is made of 18-8 stainless steel. The nylon insert ensures that the nut does not simply come loose due to vibration or frequent movement—a small detail with a big impact.

And if you prefer to work without tools but still need a grippy surface, the 1/4" UNC knurled nut type 1 comes into play. It also uses the 1/4" UNC right-hand thread and is made of 18-8 stainless steel. On top of that, there are specific dimensions that help with planning:

• Knurl height: 6.35 mm
• Base height: 6.35 mm
• Total height: 12.7 mm
• Knurl diameter: 19.05 mm
• Base diameter: 12.7 mm

This lets you estimate quite precisely how much space you need to allow for and how easy the knurled nut will be to grip, even with gloves or when things get a bit tight.

Areas of application for the Grainger 1/4" UNC hex nut

Whether in the workshop, in mechanical engineering, in equipment construction, in assembly, or in repairs: wherever 1/4" UNC screws are involved, this nut fits the bill. The coarse UNC thread is particularly popular in constructions that need to be robust and where you don’t want to retighten every week.

Typical areas of use include, for example:

• Assembly of brackets, frames, and structures
• Repairs on machines and devices with UNC threads
• Technical setups where you want to keep metric and imperial systems clearly separated
• Prototypes, experimental setups, and test rigs with recurring bolted joints

Because the nut is designed as a hex, you can also use it in combination with washers, spring washers, or self-locking variants to adapt the joint even better to your requirements.

Why this particular 1/4" UNC nut?

We’d say: because it does exactly what it’s supposed to do, without any fuss. You get a clean 1/4" UNC right-hand thread, a proven hex nut type, and, depending on the version, a material that matches your application area—from 18-8 stainless steel to blackened steel.

Instead of struggling with improvised solutions that only half fit your screws, you can rely on a nut that is designed precisely for 1/4" UNC. That saves not only your nerves but also the threads.