Screws are small machines, but their importance is much more considerable than their size. Screws are a crucial part of the world of mechanics and manufacturing. These compact devices help to lift heavy objects, fasten objects together, and create holes for hanging up whatever you desire. There are many types of screws available today with different characteristics and uses.
One feature of a screw is that people seem to look over the heads of the screws. Screw heads also vary according to their resistance to different amounts of torque, depth of the head, and shape of the notch. According to these conditions, some screws tend to be expensive while some are cheaper. In many sectors, screw head variations get considered according to the mission.
Types of screws heads:
1. Slotted Screws:
Slotted screws have been around for a long time. They have a straight line going between the head of the screw. It is fastened easily with the help of a flathead screwdriver. When the sides of the line on the head soften and blur out due to the harshness of the screwdriver, it becomes nearly impossible to use them. You can try to work with flattened ends, but it is very time-consuming, requires a lot of energy, and not worth it. They are inexpensive and effortlessly found, so get yourself some new screws.
People no longer use them since they are outdated. However, they are only used for limited fastening or to create an extra layer of tightness with another screw when they are employed.
2. Phillips Screws:
Phillips screws are one of the most common screw heads. They can get fastened very quickly with a right-sized screwdriver or even a drill. These screws have an X-shaped slot. The X on it is two lines that face 90 degrees away from each other. Phillips screws get fastened only if the screwdriver is of the right shape and size. Deploying a flat driver can damage the screw. Phillips does not need a lot of tension to be secured. When too much restraint is applied, the screwdrivers tend to slip. A good grasping screw does not require an additional coat of protection like slotted screw heads.
3. Pozidriv Screws:
Pozidrive or positive drive screws are like an ascent of Philips screws. Just like Phillips screws, Pozidrive has a cross carved on its head. But, an additional tiny cross is in the first one. It is reminiscent of a star with four lines stretching across the head. The purpose of two more lines is to support extra grip and extra pressure. Unlike Philip’s head, this screw head does not slip out when too much torque is applied, and it has a stronger hold. These can only exist secured with a Pozidriver driver. The driver has razor blunt edges to fit perfectly among the slots.
4. Square Screws:
Square or Robertson screw heads are becoming more popular than ever. These screw heads are most resistant to slips because of a deep square aperture. The screwdriver has more room to hold than the thin lines that get easily subjected to coming out. They are also not affected by force, having a tight grip. This screw can only get tightened with a square-shaped tip driver. Use a screwdriver that is slightly smaller than the slot of the head. These heads are getting used in almost every field, including woodworking, electronics, and mechanics.
5. Hexagonal Screws:
Hex heads or hexagonal screw heads have a hexagon carved on the head. These screws are so bold and bulky that they are visibly poking out on the surface where the screw gets fastened. This head requires a spanner or a hexagonal-shaped driver. They have a precise fit to them due to their wide shape. They are great in heavy-duty. They are used to fasten two entities together, hard-core woodworking or mechanics.
6. One-Way Screws:
One-way screws have a wave-shaped slot. It is tapered in the center and turns wider as the wave goes closer to the edges. These screws can only turn in a single direction. For securing, a deluxe one-way driver gets used. If it is not available to you, use a drill or a flathead screwdriver. These are particular screw heads because they are also called safety screws. Due to their one-way rotation feature, they are hard to remove. Special tools are required to tamper with them. They are used in public places and in areas or things that need utmost safety.
7. TORX and TORX Plus Screws:
The TORX head has a star-shaped slot. It has a six-pointed recess that can only get locked with a unique TORX driver or a drill. These heads can handle torque without any damage. They are widely used in electronics, vehicles, and computer systems because they have a stronghold.
TORX plus is just like TORX but with a slight change. TORX plus has a deeper groove between the six-pointed recess. This peculiarity gives the user more stronghold to the screw due to more space.
Types of screws:
1. Wood Screws:
Wooden or wood screws get used in the field of the woodwork. Wood screws get used to fastening sections of wood together or for security like in furniture. Rounded wood screws are for fixing pieces of wood. Flatwood screws guarantee security and strength. Phillips flat head, Fearson flat head, slotted flat head, slotted round head, slotted oval head, and Phillips round head are wood screws.
2. Machine Screws:
Machine screws are used to hold pieces of metal together. They are generally on the smaller side so the metal can have a more precise hold. Machine screws are industrially used in the manufacturing of computer systems and a variety of machines. They have a strong clench even with their small size. Small-sized screws get used in machinery, so the screws are embedded in the metal and are not easy to loosen without a tool. Phillips flat head, Phillips oval head, Phillips truss head are some of the machine screws.
3. Sheet Metal Screws:
Sheet metal screws are self-drilling screws. The fully threaded length of these screws carves through the drilled holes. Even if the crater is straight and smooth without a pattern, the sheet metal screw makes a pattern according to its fit automatically when being screwed. The keen shanks can pierce through many materials like metal, plastic, fiberglass, and wood. Phillip pan head, Phillip flat head, Phillip oval head, Phillip truss head, slotted pan head, slotted oval head, slotted hex washer head, slotted flat head, square pan head, square flat head, and hex heads are sheet metal screws.
4. Thread Cutting Machine Screws:
Thread cutting machine screws are self-tapping screws. These screws form in a thread pattern when being screwed. They get used for interim maintenance. They get used to both wood and metal. Phillips flat head, star drive flat head, star drive pan-head, and slotted hex washer head are types of thread cutting machine screws.
5. Socket Screws:
Socket screws or Allen head screws had a long cylindrical-shaped head and a hexagonal frame on the top. These screws are fully curled in length and have a square-like tip. It has an impressive capacity to handle pressure due to its unique surface. Socket screws can function only with a hex key or an Allen wrench. These screws are light and have a stronghold. They can secure anything guaranteeing of not loosening with ease. Socket cap, socket-flat head, and socket button head are types of socket screws.
6. Set Screws:
Set screws are wide and bulky like a bolt but with complete thread till the tip. They are also called blind screws and grub screws, the reason being it has a non-prominent crown. Their bulkiness provides a stronghold. They are used to attach one object to another. Due to its non-obvious head, when the screw gets fastened, it hides inside the object. Cone point, flat point, full-dog point, half-dog point, cup point, hex socket, oval point, and socket point are part of set screws.
7. Mating Screws:
Mating screws and sex bolts go hand in hand. These screws are long and fully threaded. But sex bolts are internally threaded nuts. Sex bolts get screwed on the mating screws. The bolt is threaded so that it can easily twist up the mating screw. Mating screws are the same breadth as the sex bolts for a perfect fit. These screws get manipulated in many ways. Fully threaded, partially-threaded, metric mating screws and imperial mating screws are kinds of mating screws.
So, this was an over guide to screws and screw heads. Choose them according to the needs of your task for effective results.
Bottom line:
These small machines play an essential part and prove themselves beneficial. The article has mentioned a detailed description of screws and screws heads for you. Now How about looking for some Cordless power screwdrivers?
We also recommend DIY organizers for your screws, Nuts, and bolts!