how do I identify a bolt?
 

How do I go about measuring a bolt in order to find a duplicate?

When I was at Sears last night a saw a gauge like device for measuring thread pitch, but what is the best way to measure bolt diameter and length.

It is a Torx bolt, so if those bolts use a special method.

Scott
baltimore

One option is to look in your phone books yellow pages under "Bolt & Nut", assuming you live in a city large enough to have such a place.

Pick one out and drop in with the bolt. They'll figure it out.

With a pair of calipers you will be able to measure the diameter and length. You can also measure the distance between the threads with the calipers and then calculate the pitch.

Or go to a hardware store and find a nut that screws on - which will tell you diameter and pitch.

You also have to have to check the strength of the bolt (small number on the top).