FF-B-588 — Toggle Bolt & Expansion Sleeve Screw
FF-B-588 covered toggle bolts and expansion sleeve screws — self-contained hollow-wall anchoring devices with spring-loaded wings that open automatically once pushed through a hole accessible from only one side. Revision D (with Notice 1, 31 December 1996) is the final issue; the document was cancelled with no direct superseding specification, though its Type designations remain in everyday commercial use.
At a Glance
Overview
FF-B-588 covered toggle bolts and expansion sleeve screws — self-contained anchoring devices with wings that automatically open or swing into place once pushed through a hole in a wall or panel that's only accessible from one side. Once expanded behind the substrate, the wings (or sleeve, for the expansion type) distribute the fastening load across a much wider area than the drilled hole itself, making them suitable for hollow-wall materials like drywall, hollow concrete block, and metal studs that can't support a standard screw anchor.
The specification was cancelled effective December 31, 1996 with no direct superseding federal or military document — unlike most FF specifications, toggle-bolt hardware was left to commercial/industry consensus practice rather than folded into an ASME standard. Despite the cancellation, "FF-B-588D Type V" remains a widely used shorthand in commercial catalogs to describe the classic spring-wing toggle bolt design.
Common Toggle Anchor Types
FF-B-588 classified several toggle and expansion-sleeve configurations; the most commonly referenced today is Type V.
FF-B-588 is cancelled with no replacement federal or military document. Toggle bolt hardware today is generally sourced against manufacturer catalog specifications or commercial/industry standards, though "Type V" remains a common way to describe the classic spring-wing configuration.
FF-B-588 — Frequently Asked Questions
Is FF-B-588 still an active specification?
No — it was cancelled effective December 31, 1996, and unlike most other Federal Specifications in this family, no direct superseding document was issued.
Why do product listings still cite "FF-B-588D Type V"?
It remains a widely understood shorthand for the classic spring-wing toggle bolt design, even though the governing federal document is no longer active — manufacturers use it as a familiar reference point for buyers.
Need Toggle Bolts or Hollow-Wall Anchors?
Ananka Fasteners supplies toggle bolt hardware to current commercial specifications with full documentation.
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