Do you know the difference between mitre and square cut cotter pin ends? Cotter pins are commonly used in machinery and mechanical assemblies. Also known as split pins, they consist of a U-shaped piece of metal with two prongs of different lengths. You can temporarily secure an assembly by inserting a cotter pin through a precut hole, followed by twisting the prongs outward. While some cotter pins have mitre ends, however, others have square cut ends.
What Are Mitre Ends?
Mitre ends are characterized by angled tips. Like all cotter pins, they feature two prongs that form a U-shape. If you closely inspect the ends of the prongs, however, you’ll notice they are angled. Mitre ends are essentially beveled diagonally, resulting in a sharp and tapered point.
What Are Square Cut Ends?
Square cut ends are characterized by flat tips. They are cut straight across, resulting in a 90-degree angle to the prongs. You can identify cotter pins with square cut ends by their blunt prongs. The ends of the prongs are completely flat.
Differences Between Mitre and Square Cut Ends
The main difference between mitre and square cut ends lies in the surface geometry of their tips. Mitre ends live up to their namesake by featuring angled tips. They have slope-like tips, which typically form a 45-degree angle. Square cut ends, on the other hand, have flat and blunt tips.
Of these end styles, square cut is probably the most common. They feature a simple, cost-effective design that makes them a popular choice.
Mitre end cotter pins, though, are typically easier to install. Thanks to their angled tips, they slide into holes with less resistance than their square cut counterparts. The angled tips essentially act as a guide, allowing for a smooth insertion. Square cut cotter pins can be more difficult to install, as the blunt tips may strike or snag the sides of the hole.
Mitre end cotter pins also offer better alignment. They slide more easily into narrow or misaligned holes.
Because they feature a simpler design, square cut cotter pins may cost less than those with mitre ends. If installation or alignment aren’t a concern, you may want to opt for square cut ends for this reason.
In Conclusion
Both mitre and square cut cotter pin ends serve the same basic purpose: allowing cotter pins to enter and fasten an assembly. Mitre ends tend to guide themselves into place more easily and reduce the chance of snagging when the hole alignment is not perfect. Square cut ends, with their flat and blunt tips, offer a simpler design that is widely used and often more economical.
