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Fasteners are the quiet heroes of every project — the screws, washers, rivets, rods and tamper-proof bits that hold things together. Pick the wrong one and your new shelf might sag, your lighting fixture could rattle, or corrosion will eat it alive. Pick the right one and your build behaves like it was engineered by a pro. Whether you’re wiring Downlights or building a garden bench, choosing the correct fastener saves time, money and headaches.
Expert Electrical is known among UK electricians and enthusiastic DIYers for stocking a wide range of components that are genuinely useful on real jobs. Their range covers small items like brass washers and panhead screws up to larger parts such as threaded rod, surface mount kits and anti-vandal screws — everything you’ll reach for when finishing an electrical installation or securing a fixture.
Brass washers and machine screws are staples when you need good electrical conductivity and resistance to spark corrosion. For instance, a pack of brass washers for M6 bolts — that’s about 0.24 inches inner diameter — is perfect when you want a bit of extra bearing surface under a nut or screw head without risking galvanic issues on electrical joints. Brass panhead machine screws in roughly 0.16 inch diameter with 1.38 inch length are handy for fastening metal plates and terminals where a neat, low-profile head is required.
Pop rivets remain a go-to for joining thin sheet materials fast and permanently. A typical aluminium pop rivet of about 0.19 inch shank diameter and 0.63 inch grip length is ideal for light metalwork and outdoor trim. Threaded rod in roughly 0.24 inch diameter and nearly 9.84 feet long gives you versatility — cut to size for bracing or suspended runs, or use standard nuts and washers for custom fixings.
When you’re fitting lighting like low-bays or utilite drums, surface mount kits make conversion quick and tidy. Combine those with anti-tamper or anti-vandal screws and you’ve got a robust installation that resists burglary and accidental loosening. Anti-theft screws typically require a special key to remove, making them the preferred option for public or exposed spaces where security matters.
Downlights and lighting fixtures need fasteners that are both secure and discreet. From cable ties to profile mounting brackets and anti-vandal fixings, the right small bits ensure neat cable runs and safe installations. Don’t underestimate a good bracket or the correct screw — they keep fixtures level, dissipate stress and reduce vibration noise.
Cable management is one of those details that separates a tidy job from a messy one. Short cable ties around 4 inches long and 0.1 inch wide are perfect for bundling small runs, while braided 2-core cable on a roll of about 82 feet is ideal for lamp flex and decorative circuits. For protection and routing, fittings for 0.79 inch conduit are widely used in lighting runs and electrical containment.
Fixtures exposed to the public or in communal environments benefit from anti-vandal screws and tamper-proof fasteners. Packs of specialist screws with matching keys should be part of your toolbox if you’re fitting communal Downlights, exterior security lamps or any item you want to protect from casual removal.
If you want the best mix of price, range and convenience, different stores shine for different reasons. Below is a quick rundown of stores to consider if Expert Electrical doesn’t have exactly what you need.
Screwfix and Toolstation are trade favourites for a reason: extensive stock, multiple sizes and brands, and fast pick-up. They’re great when you need bulk packs of screws, long threaded rod, or standard electrical fixings — think packs of 100 screws or 10-foot lengths cut to order. Prices are competitive, and both stores carry specialist brands and tamper-proof options for trade jobs.
If you’re a DIYer doing weekend projects, these mainstream chains offer kits, clear labeling and friendly staff. You’ll find packs designed for carpentry and general fixing needs, plus decent ranges of washers, woodscrews and anchors for masonry or plasterboard. These stores are where many homeowners start before moving on to trade suppliers for specialist parts.
Specialist electrical wholesalers like CEF and Edmundson stock the kind of components electricians rely on: high-spec anti-vandal screws, specialist cable and conduit fittings, and commercial-grade lighting kits. They also tend to carry brands like Hellermann and Aurora in larger assortments, so if you need a specific tamper-proof part or a bulk roll of braided cable, these wholesalers are worth checking.
Material choice is one of the top determinants of longevity. Brass offers good conductivity and corrosion resistance for electrical connections. Aluminium rivets are lightweight and non-magnetic, suiting thin metal panels. Stainless steel is your go-to for outdoor or damp environments because it resists rust. Finally, electroplated or galvanized finishes help prevent corrosion for standard carbon steel parts, but remember that coatings can wear if you over-tighten.
Metric labels are common on packaging, but in the UK many tradespeople still think in inches and feet. Here are handy approximations you’ll encounter when picking fasteners:
- An M6 bolt or washer correlates to about 0.24 inches in diameter, so think of it like a quarter-inch bolt.
- A 4.8 millimeter diameter pop rivet is roughly 0.19 inches, which is just about 3/16 of an inch, with a 16 millimeter length coming in at around 0.63 inches or roughly 5/8 of an inch.
- A 4 millimeter screw shank equals approximately 0.16 inches, and a 35 millimeter length is roughly 1.38 inches — close to 1 3/8 inches.
- A 5.5 millimeter screw is about 0.22 inches across, and a 20 millimeter length equals roughly 0.79 inches — just under an inch long.
- Rolls of cable described as 25 meters translate to close to 82 feet of cable — a comfortable amount for multiple fixtures or longer decorative runs.
Working in inches and feet helps you match bits like drill sizes and countersink diameters to what you already own in your toolbox.
Ask three questions before you pick a fastener: what material are you fixing into, how much load will it carry, and will it be exposed to moisture or salt? For wood applications, coarse-thread woodscrews bite better; for metal, machine screws or rivets are the right fit. For suspended loads, threaded rod with appropriate nuts and washers distributes load better than a single screw. When safety is involved — think lighting or signage — choose stainless or brass components that won’t fail in damp conditions.
Little habits make a big difference. Pre-drill pilot holes for dense woods to prevent splitting. Use the correct countersink so screw heads sit flush and look tidy. For metal-to-metal joins, deburr holes after drilling to avoid stress risers. When using anti-vandal screws or security fasteners, keep the removal key in a labelled toolbox so future maintenance is painless. And when you cut threaded rod, be sure to re-thread or tidy the end to make nut engagement smooth.
Deciding between a small pack and a bulk box often comes down to frequency of use. If you’re an electrician or regular installer, bulk packs of 100 washers or 200 woodscrews save money per unit and keep you prepared on-site. For the occasional DIYer, mixed assortments or smaller packs reduce waste and cupboard clutter. Brands like Unicrimp, Aurora, Hellermann and Kosnic — names you’ll see in many UK listings — hit different sweet spots between price and specialist performance. When in doubt, check specifications for material and thread type to make sure the product matches your need.
Some jobs should be left to qualified tradespeople. If your work involves permanent electrical alterations, high-load structural anchors or external lighting tied into mains systems, hiring a professional ensures compliance with building and electrical standards. Good tradespeople not only have the right fasteners on hand but can advise on code-compliant choices and installation techniques that keep projects safe and long-lasting.
Fasteners may look like small, forgettable items, but they determine how long and how safely your work will last. From specialist anti-vandal screws and surface-mount kits found at outlets like Expert Electrical to bulk options at Screwfix or trade-only items at CEF, there’s a right supplier and a right part for every task. Think material, size (inches and feet if that’s your preference), and purpose before you buy, and invest a little time in the right tools and techniques. The result? A neat, secure installation that stands up to time and use — and fewer trips back to the hardware store.
| Hardware Fasteners | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Unitrunk Mudguard Washer 6mm | £ 0,05 | |
| 4 Anti-theft Screws And 1 Key For Tough Shell Diffuser Integral Led | £ 2,59 | |
| String String Stainless Steel Screw 2-pack - Spacer And Plug Spare Part For Outdoor Use | £ 4,25 | |
| Replacement Wing Nut Lock | £ 4,70 | |
| Babyjem Magnetic Drawer Lock | £ 6,99 | |
| String String Resistance Brackets Spare Part 2-pack Incl Screws Silver | £ 15,30 | |
| Pma Smart6620b - 30 Conduit 20 Mm | £ 26,57 | |
| Vistaexpert Aste Di Ricambio Replacement Arms | £ 31,- | |
| Vistaexpert Aste Di Ricambio Replacement Arms | £ 45,- |
