Definition
The tip of a fastener, pin, or shaft that has been beveled — cut at an angle — to remove the sharp edge and form a tapered end. The chamfer makes the part easier to start into a hole, bushing, or threaded receptacle without catching, gouging, or cross-threading.
Plain English
An end that has been shaved off at an angle so it slides smoothly into a hole instead of catching on the edge.
Context Anchor
Seen in aircraft maintenance when identifying, inspecting, or installing bolts, screws, studs, and other threaded hardware.
Derivation
‘Chamfer’ comes from the Old French ‘chanfrein,’ meaning a beveled edge — literally an edge that has been ‘broken’ or cut back. So a chamfered point is one whose tip has been deliberately cut at an angle rather than left square or sharp.
Why Pilots Care
A properly chamfered point prevents binding, scoring, or incomplete seating of critical components during assembly, reducing the chance of vibration or failure in flight.
Intuition Check
Do not read point as meaning a sharp tip here. A chamfered point is usually less sharp because the edge has been beveled.
Example Sentence 1
The bolt’s chamfered point made it easy to align with the hole and start the threads cleanly.
Example Sentence 2
Drill bits with a chamfered point start more cleanly when drilling rivet holes in the wing skin.