{"id":3558,"date":"2026-10-22T01:10:15","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T17:10:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.shubhsutra.com\/blog\/?p=3558"},"modified":"2026-10-22T01:10:15","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T17:10:15","slug":"are-lock-washers-reusable-4248-78a6ae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.shubhsutra.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/22\/are-lock-washers-reusable-4248-78a6ae\/","title":{"rendered":"Are lock washers reusable?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey there, if you\u2019ve ever dug around in a toolbox, worked on a bike, fixed a fence, or even assembled a flat-pack shelf, you\u2019ve definitely spotted those little ring-shaped metal bits\u2014lock washers. I\u2019ve been supplying these things for years, so I get the confusion most folks have: can you reuse \u2019em, or do you have to toss \u2019em every single time? I\u2019ve answered this question a hundred times at trade shows, over Slack with our regular clients, and even at 8 a.m. drop-off pickups where a guy\u2019s juggling a wrench and a latte. Let\u2019s cut through the noise here. Lock Washers<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

First off, let\u2019s actually remember what lock washers do, because that\u2019s half the battle. They aren\u2019t just random metal rings\u2014their whole job is to stop fasteners (bolts, screws, nuts) from working loose over time. You\u2019ve seen that happen before, right? A wheel that\u2019s wobbly, a cabinet door that drifts off-kilter, a machine part that rattles like crazy. Lock washers create friction between the fastener and the surface it\u2019s bolted to, and some types even have those little tabs or teeth that dig in to keep things from spinning. Now, not all lock washers are the same, and that\u2019s the big mistake people make when guessing reusability\u2014they think all lock washers follow the same rules, but nope.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s break down the main types I supply, one by one, because that\u2019s the only way this makes sense. First, there\u2019s the split lock washer (the kind that looks like a coiled spring, often called a helical washer) \u2014 that\u2019s the most common one you\u2019ll find. Then there are external tooth lock washers (teeth sticking out around the outer edge), internal tooth (teeth on the inner edge), and sometimes those curved wave washers for tighter vibration.<\/p>\n

Starting with split lock washers\u2014these guys are the most debated. When you use a new split washer, the two ends are angled just right. When you tighten the bolt, those ends get compressed a little, and they push back against the nut or the bolt head, creating that constant friction that stops loosening. Now, if you take one off, look at it closely. Is that spring-like curve still intact? Or did you bend it flat when you were prying it off with a screwdriver? That\u2019s the first check. If it\u2019s still got that springy shape, no sharp bends, no cracks, no rust that\u2019s eaten through the metal, you can<\/em> reuse it\u2014but only if the application isn\u2019t super high-stakes. Wait, let\u2019s clarify: if you\u2019re fixing a backyard fence, putting together a patio set, or something where failure wouldn\u2019t hurt anyone or cost a ton, a good-condition split washer is fine to reuse. But if it\u2019s for a car\u2019s brake caliper, a industrial conveyor belt, or a piece of medical equipment that needs to be 100% safe? No way. Even a tiny bent washer there could lead to a crash, a breakdown, or something way worse.<\/p>\n

Then we have tooth lock washers\u2014external and internal. These have those sharp little teeth, and that\u2019s where the reusability gets tricky. New tooth washers bite into the surface and the fastener head to lock things in. If you pry that off, those teeth get banged up. They might flatten, chip, or even break entirely, and once that happens, they can\u2019t bite anymore. I\u2019ve seen guys reuse a tooth washer on a lawnmower blade bolt, and two months later the blade flew off. That\u2019s not worth it. Tooth washers are one-and-done, unless you\u2019re working with super soft material, like aluminum or plastic, and you removed them without damaging the teeth. But even then, most times those teeth take a hit, so I usually tell people to just grab a new one.<\/p>\n

Wave lock washers are a different story\u2014they\u2019re flatter, have a slight wavy curve, and they create consistent tension instead of the sharp bite of tooth washers. These are often used for things that need smoother fastener pressure, like assembling electronics or delicate machinery. A good wave washer, if you take it off without flattening the curve, can absolutely be reused. I\u2019ve seen clients swap wave washers between small motor parts for years, as long as they check for dents.<\/p>\n

Now, why do so many people think all lock washers are disposable? Well, for a long time, most old-school guidelines said \u201calways replace lock washers\u201d as a blanket rule, but that\u2019s outdated. That rule came from a time when most people were using cheap, thin split washers made of flimsy steel that would rust and bend after one use. Now, we supply high-grade stainless steel or zinc-plated lock washers that are made to handle repeated tightening and loosening, as long as they\u2019re not damaged. But here\u2019s the thing: damage doesn\u2019t just mean bending. Rust is a big one. If your washer has spots where the metal is corroded, the tension is gone, and the teeth (if it\u2019s a tooth washer) are probably dull anyway. Cracks? Total no-go. A cracked washer can snap under pressure, no matter what type it is.<\/p>\n

I get the urge to reuse lock washers, honestly\u2014they\u2019re tiny, easy to lose, and buying a whole pack for a handful feels silly. I\u2019ve done it myself! Last month, I was assembling a shed in my backyard, and I tried to reuse some split washers I had left over from a deck I built last year. Halfway through, I noticed they were all bent, so I had to run to the hardware store. That mistake cost me an extra trip, and it would have been way worse if the shed\u2019s roof had come loose in a storm. So my advice? Don\u2019t let that urge save you a buck or two on a trip that could have been avoided.<\/p>\n

Another thing to consider is the fastener and surface material. If you\u2019re bolting two pieces of soft metal, like aluminum, that can get marred easily. Lock washers\u2014especially tooth types\u2014will dig into that surface, leaving marks. If you reuse a tooth washer, those marks might already be there, so it\u2019s not just about the washer\u2019s condition, it\u2019s about whether the surface can handle the pressure again. For hard surfaces like steel or cast iron, a good-condition split or wave washer is way more likely to work a second time, no problem.<\/p>\n

I also want to address the science behind this, because some techy guys love the \u201cwhy\u201d behind it. Lock washers work by creating what\u2019s called \u201cprevailing torque\u201d \u2014 that\u2019s the friction that keeps the fastener from rotating on its own. When you tighten a new split washer, the spring force from the compressed washer adds to that prevailing torque, making it stronger. If the washer is bent, that spring force is gone, so the only friction left is between the nut and surface, which isn\u2019t nearly enough to hold up to vibration (that\u2019s the number one cause of loose fasteners). So even if you think<\/em> you\u2019re saving money, a reused bent washer that doesn\u2019t create enough friction is essentially useless.<\/p>\n

Wait, let\u2019s talk about edge cases, because there\u2019s always a weird one. What if you\u2019re working on a static structure\u2014like a shelf in a garage that\u2019s never going to be moved, no vibration, no heavy loads? Can you reuse a lock washer there? Yeah, probably, because there\u2019s nothing to make the fastener spin. But even then, why risk it? If that shelf holds your tools, a power drill or a lawnmower, that\u2019s a lot of weight. A loose fastener could make the shelf crash down and damage your stuff. For static, low-load stuff, it\u2019s okay to reuse a good washer, but for anything with vibration or high load, new is better.<\/p>\n

I get that as a supplier, I have a dog in this game, but I\u2019m not just here to sell you more washers. I\u2019ve had clients tell me they saved $50 by reusing bad washers, then spent $500 fixing a piece of machinery that broke because a bolt came loose. That\u2019s way worse than buying a pack of 50 washers for $10. The other day, a carpenter called me panicking because he\u2019d reused some tooth washers on a deck frame, and half of them were bent. He had to take the whole frame apart and redo all the fasteners, which cost him an entire day of work. That\u2019s a way bigger loss than just grabbing new washers upfront.<\/p>\n

So let\u2019s wrap this up with my real-world, hands-on advice (no fancy engineering jargon, I promise):<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Check the type first. Split and wave washers = reusable only if intact. Tooth washers = almost never reusable, because their teeth get damaged.<\/li>\n
  2. Inspect every single washer. No bends, no cracks, no rust, no flattened curves. If it looks even a little off, toss it.<\/li>\n
  3. Match the washer to the job. Low-stakes, static stuff? Good intact washers are fine. Vibration, high load, or critical applications? New washers, no exceptions.<\/li>\n
  4. Don\u2019t be cheap. A pack of washers is way cheaper than fixing a mistake from a reused bad one.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    <\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re working on a project and you\u2019re not sure whether your old washers are okay to use, or you just need a consistent supply of high-quality lock washers for whatever job you\u2019re taking on, reach out. I\u2019m here to help\u2014whether you\u2019re a DIYer with a small project, a contractor doing a big build, or a maintenance team keeping industrial gear running. I don\u2019t push overpriced stuff, and I\u2019ll be honest with you if your old washers are garbage, no matter what.<\/p>\n

    Socket Head Cap Screws<\/a> Just shoot me a message to chat through your needs\u2014no sales pitch, just straight talk about what will work for you.<\/p>\n

    References<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. Shigley, J. E., & Mischke, C. R. (2020). Standard Handbook of Machine Design (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill.<\/li>\n
    2. Fastener Technology International. (2022). \u201cLock Washer Performance and Reusability Guidelines.\u201d FTI Technical Bulletin.<\/li>\n
    3. ASME B18.21.1-2020. Standard for Lock Washers. American Society of Mechanical Engineers.<\/li>\n
    4. Machine Design Magazine. (2021). \u201cVibration Resistance in Fastened Joints: The Role of Lock Washers.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n

      Handan Jihao Fastener Co., Ltd.<\/a>
      We’re known as one of the most professional lock washers manufacturers and suppliers in China. With abundant experience, we warmly welcome you to wholesale customized lock washers made in China here from our factory. If you have any enquiry about cooperation, please feel free to email us.
      Address: A2, Row 31, Feiyu Screw World, Hebei Pu, Linmengguan Town, Yongnian District, Handan City, Hebei Province
      E-mail: wenzhaona0@gmail.com
      WebSite:       https:\/\/www.chinaboltnut.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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