How to Choose a Set Screw
Unlike screws that hold materials together with threads, set screws exert pressure at the tip to hold objects in place.
Points
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Cup —The cup has a thin edge that digs into the contact surface for a secure hold on a wide range of surfaces.
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Knurl-Grip Cup —Serrations on the cup edge grip the material surface.
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Flat —The tip makes good contact on flat surfaces.
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Oval —Use in U-shaped and V-shaped grooves and on other sloped or angled surfaces.
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Cone —For a secure hold on soft materials such as brass, the pointed tip wedges into the contact surface.
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Extended —Also known as dog-point set screws, these set screws have a protruding tip that locks within a mating hole or slot to keep parts aligned.
Materials
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Stainless-Steel —May be mildly magnetic. 18-8 Stainless Steel is chemical resistant. 316 Stainless Steel is more corrosion resistant to chemicals and salt water than 18-8 stainless steel.
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Nickel Alloy —More corrosion resistant than stainless steel, nickel alloy has excellent resistance to salt water and some acids.
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Brass —Corrosion resistant in wet environments, nonmagnetic, and electrically conductive.
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Plastic —Chemical resistant, lightweight, and nonconductive. Exposure to moisture may cause it to expand.
How to Read a Screw Size
Inch Hex Sizes
| Screw Size | No.0 | No.1 | No.2 | No.3 | No.4 | No.5 | No.6 | No.8 | No.10 | 1⁄4" | 5⁄16" | 3⁄8" | 7⁄16" | 1⁄2" | 9⁄16" | 5⁄8" | 3⁄4" | 7⁄8" | 1" | 1 1⁄4" | 1 1⁄2" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec.Equiv. | .060" | .073" | .086" | .099" | .112" | .125" | .138" | .164" | .190" | .250" | .312" | .375" | .437" | .500" | .562" | .625" | .750" | .875" | 1.00" | 1.25" | 1.50" |
| Hex Size | .028" | .035" | .035" | .050" | .050" | 1⁄16" | 1⁄16" | 5⁄64" | 3⁄32" | 1⁄8" | 5⁄32" | 3⁄16" | 7⁄32" | 1⁄4" | 1⁄4" | 5⁄16" | 3⁄8" | 1⁄2" | 9⁄16" | 5⁄8" | 3⁄4" |
Metric Hex Sizes
| Screw Size | M1.6 | M2 | M2.5 | M3 | M4 | M5 | M6 | M8 | M10 | M12 | M16 | M20 | M24 | M30 | M36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hex Size, mm | 0.7 | 0.9 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 2 | 2.5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 |
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