A set screw is a type of fastener with a head no larger than the body, often with a recessed drive port. They are used in mechanical systems where metal surfaces rub against each other and where recessed screws are needed for aesthetic or safety reasons. Advantages include resistance to corrosion and the ability to be tightened with higher torque. Disadvantages include difficulty in removing if corroded or deformed. Different shapes and sizes are available for different uses. Some models have a hex pin entry hole for added security.
A set screw, also known as a set screw, is most often actually a type of bolt with threaded grooves instead of tapered ones. The part is also referred to as a set screw, because set screws are a type of fastener that has a head that is usually no larger in diameter than the body of the screw or bolt itself. They also often contain a recessed drive port that usually fits a hex allen key, square torx key, or star shaft twisting tool. These types of screws are an important fastening feature in mechanical systems where metal surfaces rub against each other and cannot be obstructed by screw or bolt heads, such as in pulleys and gears. They are also often used where recessed screws are needed for aesthetic reasons such as when fixing wall joints, or for safety reasons so they cannot be easily unscrewed, such as in public toilet partitions.
Using set screws in fastening parts together has several advantages over using traditional screws or bolts, as well as some disadvantages. One major advantage is that usually the entire length of a bead is enclosed in the material it is fastening, with no leading or trailing edges exposed. This makes it more resistant to corrosion than traditional screws and also allows the screw to be tightened with a higher torque, as the surrounding material it is screwed into strengthens the screw head in the process. Some set screws have the standard slotted head for a flat head screwdriver, but are rare because a Torx or Hex shaped head allows more torque to be applied before the metal slot in the head begins to soften and deform, reducing the ability to remove the lives later. One major weakness of using set screws is that, if they corrode in place or the head splines become severely deformed by screwdrivers, they can be nearly impossible to remove without drilling into the screw itself, which is often made from case-hardened steel.
Some models of grub screws are also made with a hex pin entry hole. This is a typical hex slot with a pin in the center, which can only be turned by a special hex pin tool that is not widely available to consumers. This gives the hex pin extra security as it is not easily removable and the center pin also adds strength to the head. Pin head grub screws are often found in safes that hold cash, such as in models of payphones or vending machines, or in other applications where there is an added incentive to disassemble.
The sizes and shapes of the grains also vary greatly depending on usage. There are six different end shapes for a grub screw, including the flat end for general use and often found in toy applications, such as in remote control car parts, and the pointed domed end which is stronger than the flat end design and features a slightly pointed tip that can be used to apply pressure to a part opposite the screw head. The conical point bit is for applying force to soft materials or for driving into a depression in metal facing the grain end, and the cup bit does the same thing only with greater force. The knurled tip has the same shape as one end of the cupped tip, except that the protruding metal cup at the end of the screw is ridged with parallel serrations that can be gripped by other equipment or parts. The dowel pin has a rivet-like cylindrical head on the end that can be used as a pivot shaft for equipment such as metal or plastic parts that need to rotate around it.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
