3/8” x 2-1/2” black carriage bolts are key to installing a black chain link fence. For even though fences are comprised of posts, rails, and chain link fabric—and held together by fittings such as tension bands and rail ends—many of these individual parts must be clamped into a secure position. To accomplish this, you need carriage bolts and the accompanying nuts—so that the parts not only come together but remain securely attached. These particular carriage bolts are fully threaded, meaning they have a spiral-shaped ridge that runs the entire length of their cylinder. The purpose of this threading is so that a nut can be spun around the bolt and remain firmly in place upon reaching the desired position. When you slide the bolt between, say, a rail end and the tongs of an end band—and then secure everything by attaching a nut to the end of the bolt—all the individual parts hold together.  All parts are coated with a fine layer of black vinyl. The coating makes this part incredibly rust-resistant, which is essential for outdoor fixtures. After all, if your bolt becomes corroded by rust and pops loose, all the parts it’s attached to will become unraveled.