Category: Screws

Torx head is a kind of fastener, which uses a 6 pointed design rather than a Phillips cross or age-old slot design. The shape of the head of this rivet looks like a star and hence, it is also referred to as tar screwdriver or star bits. The more specified generic name given by International Organization for Standardization is  hexalobular internal.

History 

Torx was invented by Camcar Textron in 1967. Earlier, these kinds of screws were sometimes used in applications, which required tamper-resistance feature, as the screwdrivers were not widely used. However, these days, they are widely used in automobiles, bicycle brake systems, motorocycles, consumer electronics, hard disk drives etc. These are now increasingly becoming popular in construction hardware as well.

Benefits

The torx screws are better than Phillips head types, as these can withstand more cam-out as compared to Phillips heads. While Phillips heads are designed to make the drive cam-out, the Torx heads are designed to prevent the cam-out. The driver design of this particular fastener as compared to others applies desirable torque consistently, thereby increasing the life of the tool by ten times.

Sizing

The Torx screw sizes are mainly referred by capital letter “T” and the small number along-with it refers to the point-to-point dimension of the screw head. USual sizes commonly found in market include T10, T15 and T25.

Sizing is a relevant factor to be considered while going for these star bits, as an accurate driver can only drive a particualr head size without damaging the rivet or the driver. The above described Torx head sizes are used in application with metric, SAE and other kind of thread systems. This ultimately reduces the bit sizes, thus making them function in a more effective manner.

These fasteners are also tagged by “E“. The E & T are coreelated to each other, for instance, E4 Torx socket fits in with a T20 head. Below is a chat mentioning properties of various Torx drives. Do have a look!

Alternatives

Security Torx, which is also known as Tamper-Resistant Torx or pin-in-Torx is a variant to Torx head. It features a post in the middle of the head, thereby preventing a commonly used Torx driver from being used applied.

There’s another variant known as external Torx, whose head resembles the shape of Torx screwdriver bit. It requires a special kind of socket to drive it. There are basically used in transmissions and automobile engines.

Resource :

1. Torx screw  and screw drive types.

At Mutual Screw and Supply, we field several calls from our esteemed clients, seeking help in choosing right bit of screw head types, appropriate for their requirements.

Here’s a brief yet comprehensive guide to screw head types and drives. Read on!

When your jobs requires usage of screws then always remember to go for the right type of screw driver. While most of the screws look alike, but their screw heads are rather different, thereby enabling you to go for distinct screw drives, which fit with the heads of your chosen screws. For instance, Phillips and Pozidriv are hard to be distinguished from a distance of 10 feet. But both of these fasteners do feature different heads and simultaneously they require different kinds of screw drives for their installation.

Here is a list of different types of screw heads.

Phillips

Invented by Henry Phillips, this kind of drive was explicitly designed to cam-out (it’s a method in which the screw driver glides out of the screw head, when it is driven and the torque which is required to turn the fastener crosses a certain amount) when the screw was bogged down, so as to prevent any damage occurring to the head, nonetheless affecting the driver. This particular design however created relative difficulty in developing torque, thereby restricting into the old drivers.

Other hardware companies therefore discarded the Phillips concept, as it created a relatively tangled and sunken socket shape in the head of the rivets.

These heads are usually designated in 7 types, depending upon the size of the screws and they include 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Slotted

This is the most commonly used screw drive and is commonplace everywhere in the world, although its traditional usage is declining gradually, because of its slipping nature whenever heavy torque is applied over it.

Phillips Tamper-resistant

Most of the screw drives available in the market are tamper-resistant because of their vagueness. The one-way and breakaway drives fall under this category, which require specialized tools to destroy the rivet while unscrewing them. The high-end quality of such drives is used on home electronics. Such feature even helps the professional technician to repair the equipment easily, without having to return the piece to the manufacturer.

Quadrex

Quadrex, which is also known as the Phillips/square screw drive, is actually a combination of Robertson and Phillips screw drives. While an ordinary Robertson or Phillips tool can be used for its application, there is still a specialized tool for it, which enhances the surface area between the rivet and the tool, thereby enabling to handle more torque.

Earlier, this drive was sold under the name Deck Mate, which is now considered as other kind of drive.

Supadriv

The Supadriv, which is also spelt as ‘Supadrive’ is almost similar to Pozidriv by design and people often get confused between these two.

Anyways, this particular drive can be identified by two of its unique features. It secondary blades are larger and are of equal thickness. Moreover, it has got a superior bit, thereby making the installation procedure more efficient, producing less cam-out.

Pozidriv

The Pozidriv is the enhanced version of the Phillips screw drive. It is patented by American Screw Company and Phillips Screw Company. Many consider this name as an abbreviation of ‘positive drive’. The major advantage of such kind of drive is its likelihood to prevent cam-out, thereby enabling greater torque to be employed. As per ANSI, it is considered as type IA and is quite similar with Supadriv screw driver.

Frearson

The Frearson, which is also known as the Reed and Prince Screw head type, is somewhat similar to Phillips, but the only difference is that it features a pointed 75° V shape.

It is superior to Phillips drive in one way, as its bit can fit all screw sizes. It is mostly found in marine hardware and needs a specialized screw driver under the same name. Its tool recess features sharp cross, thereby enabling higher torque to be applied, unlike the rounded Phillips head type.

Hexalobular socket

The hexalobular socket screw driver, which is rather popular as Torx and star drive, is a star-shaped recess as the name suggests, featuring 6 rounded points.

It is specially designed to allow higher torque transfer from the driver to the bit, as compared to other drives. The Torx is mostly used in electronics and automotive industry, as it is highly resistant to cam-out and even reduces the need to go down with the drive tool.

Earlier when the concept of brass wood screws was not conceived, the cabinet makers used to manage with nails, glue and wooden peg, so as to fasten the wooden panels. Although the glue can fix the panels, it is not sturdy enough for a longish time period. A wooden peg is however better than the glue. You need to carve a hole for it and nails, on the other hand used to be the perfect option during those times. They keep the furniture pieces intact, but again they even feature some flaws, like there are chances of bearing a crack on the wooden surface.

The hardware industry came up with an advanced option to deal with such issues. The wooden fasteners have now become a favoured option as these do not mar the beauty of the furniture by making a crack on it. Such kind of fastener is quite popular these days because of its advanced features and ability to safely fasten the panel in place. The market is today flooded with several types of wooden screws and you may be confused in choosing the particular model, best suiting your requirement.

Basic factors to understand the brass wood screws:

1. Such screws feature two types of heads, which include the flathead or slotted type and the Phillips or cross head type. The Mutual Screw and Supply is a leading web store, dealing with such kind of hardware supplies. The latest additions in their product page include the square head Phillips and the simple square head type.

2. Such kind of wooden fasteners also feature various head shapes, such as the round head type, which features protruding top with broad bottoms. Another kind is the flat head type, which is ideal for installing hinges. The hinges can be sunk deep into the wooden surface with its help. The last but not the least is the oval head type, which is both rounded and flat type.

3. Such kinds of screws are usually made up of hard steel, which comprises of brass and stainless steel materials.

You can even go for coasted brass wood screws to prevent corrosion.

There is no denying that iPhone series are ruling the world market of mobile handsets. Their technology, their highly advanced features and tremendous usability have enabled this very brand to become one of the most sought-after assets and those, who already own these widgets do not mind flaunting their prized possessions.

The brand has become so popular in the recent times that numerous online stores have been set-up, rendering services and required accessories for iPhone series. You can easily avail anything related to this particular mobile phone, ranging from headsets and phone covers to screen guards. You find them all at one single store. And you can blame Apple’s popularity for such kind of easy approach.

Let‘s say you have got an iPhone 5 and you’re looking for some sort of replacement parts for your handset, say micro screws. These web stores may or may not be dealing with such kind of unique fastener, so it’s always better to look for web stores, completely dealing with fasteners and hardware supplies, such as Mutual Screw and Supply.

While the stores dealing with iPhone devices may charge you a small fortune for such petty requirements, so it’s always better to go for such stores, who are dealing with such fasteners day in and day it. By this, you can surely land up with a smart dealing. Even by browsing further, you can analyze and compare prices offered by various stores and you would conclude which store is cheaper, whether a fastener shop or an exclusive store set-up for iPhones.

These phones are no cheap so they are meant to last for a longer time period. The materials used in their creation and so as their designs work altogether to enable you with a durable and long-lasting handset. However, their sturdiness doesn’t mean that you won’t have to face any kind of repair job. Besides, this is also a part of the game, while dealing with mass-produced cell phones. Fortunately, there are ways, by which you can cost-effectively deal with your replacement issues and online is always the best medium.

There are several reasons, for which you may need micro screws for your iPhone. Below listed are a few reasons people look for these fasteners for their exquisite handsets.

The screws of these widgets may get loosened after a certain time period and eventually some may even go missing. The regular usage leads to wear and tear of a cell phone, thereby causing rivets to become lose. You cannot fasten these tiny metal objects easily, unless you find a flathead screwdriver to fix the job. In the meantime, the screws may fall out of place.

You may be willing to replace the handset’s logic board and in the process may misplace a few micro screws and thanks to your careless attitude. Thus, you’ll have no option left but to look for some new pieces.

There are people, who are careless in dealing with such delicate devices and would be seen quite often dropping them or throwing them recklessly on their desks. Such actions may even lead to loosening of screws and eventually misplacing them.

Thus, for several reasons, you would be looking for micro screws for your iPhone or even for any other reason. The reason however, rarely matters and all you need supplies at the much needed time. We, at Mutual Screw and Supply, can help you with deal with such annoying situations. Visit our store to find out more about the pricing and on-going deals.

The blatant mishmash of smokestack fasteners is overwhelming. If you are looking for a certain type of fastener, say taptite screw in the market then you must have a fair knowledge about the item, before fetching it. The Internet can be the best medium since the World Wide Web is today flooded with numerous web stores, dealing with hardware supplies.

In various manufacturing companies, workers usually learn about various kinds of fasteners and their features from their experience or under the guidance of supervisors, peers or going through training manuals. But when somebody is looking for certain requisites for fixing up any domestic task then he/she should take the help of the net. There are copious web stores available today, but you should always go for a reputed and trustworthy store. In order to have a detailed catalogue on types and sizes, the popular fastener company, Mutual Screw and Supply can be your ultimate destination.

The self-tapping thread-rolling screws are one of the most commonly used fasteners, which feature female threads fitting in the accurately sized tapping holes. The main advantage in using them is that they can produce threads at relatively lower torques than conventional self-tapping screws.

These particular fasteners are used when the caper is advanced in high production assemblage using threaded rivets. These screws represent the processing of the trilobular criterion for specific type of popular applications.

The taptite screws feature certain type of lobulation at the end point for easy penetration and their optimum threads reducing the lobulation act in the screw body, thereby warding off any kind of wear and tear. In other hand, a stabilized threaded dog point screw ensures safety, aligned entry, durability and easy pick-up, which usually requires minimum end load.

Benefits of thread rolling screws:
Good axial alignment
High vibrational resistance
Low end load
High strip-to-drive ratio
High existing torque
Good torque tension relationship

These are available in various models, flaunting distinct features. You can browse the website to know more.

A Quick Review

Sheetrock screws, which are also known as drywall screws are extremely sturdy and long enough to be applied on drywall or sheet rock surface. These are made up of black phosphate and comprises of finished steel.

The unique cornet-shaped angle present beneath the head enhances the bearing area against the easily ruptured drywall surface.
These fasteners render better holding capacity as compared to nails and hence reduce the chance of popping out, thereby preventing any damage to the panel. These are used for fastening drywall to wooden or metal studs.

Ad Nauseam

Sheetrock® is the business name for USG Corporation’s drywall product, which is also known by several other names in different nations, such as Gibraltar board, plasterboard, gypsum board, wallboard, GIB wall, ceiling linings and rock lath.

It is manufactured in specific designs, so as to meet the construction standards put forward in building codes. The most important feature of this fastener is that it saves considerable amount of time, which is required to upright, the ceilings and interior walls in any form.

Although there are various procedures involved in the sheetrock screws installation, there are certain techniques applied, particularly in new constructions.

Specifications

These screws are designed in various sizes, including 48 inches, 96 inches and even 144 inches. These rivets are used determining the various requirements by different building codes and studs, made up of hollow steel sheets or wooden beams. These studs are used to support the interior walls and are positioned at about 16 inches gap. While the general ceiling height is 8 feet, the sheetrock screws’ dimensions alleviate them both vertically and horizontally, with every step featuring several proponents.

This 16-inch gap signifies the center of each stud. After all the fasteners have been inserted, the walls are then constructed using joint compound. This compound is spread over both the joints and screw holes between each joint.

Once the composite dries up, the walls are then sanded smooth and ready for whitewash.
The countersunk heads of the drywall screws are the most essential features. The entire fastener lies smooth with the surface of the sheet, thereby creating a great finish. The countersunk head helps in restricting the screw from damaging the paper surface, which is usually a common problem with all the nails.

Types & Uses

The sheetrock screws are usually of two types: Type ‘W’ and Type ‘S’. While the first one includes the wooden screws, featuring coarse and wide threads, the later one includes metal rivets, which are used along-with the steel framing members.

Another great feature of these fasteners is that they feature an edged and notched head, which can easily insert into the steel framing and their fine threads help them even penetrate into the steel surface.

The use of fasteners has grown extensively worldwide, increasing the need of coming up with standard screw sizes. Standardization prevents the use of improper screws, and ensures screws are compatible with the materials being used and are appropriate for the project at hand. Screw dimensions include the driver type — such as flat, Phillips or hex — length, shank diameter and threads per inch.

The demand for fasteners has extensively grown globally, especially in the world of online marketing. This growing demand has simultaneously increased the requirement for standard sizing of these hardware supplies.

By classification, the hassle of each time landing up with screws with different patterns and lengths can be greatly avoided. This even ensures that these rivets become comme il faut with the materials, being used in the construction or any build-up project. The various dimensions of these fasteners demand ofr use of various type of screwdrives, such as hex, Phillips, flat determining the shank diameter, length and threads per inch.

Screw’s numbering system

when standardization was done, the screws were put into 2 distinct numbering systems; the metric and U.S numbering systems. The metric measuring system lists out the diameter of these rivets in millimeters first and then secondly in thread pitch. The examples for this category include 6 mm x 1.0, 4 mm x 0.7, 5 mm x 0.8 etc. The U.S stadnard measurement system inlcudes screw with diameter sizes as 0, 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14 and 16 and even in fractional sizes ranging from  1/4″ to 2″ in 1/16″. This is followed by threads and dash per inch falling between 6 and 80.

Diameter of screws

The first number metioned in the size charts for diameter must match the inner diamter of the washers ad nuts applied to them. The diameter of the rivet is measured at the shaft, just below the screw head. The diamter size ranging from 0 to 16 is declared by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, thereby enabling the hardware sizing system to be extensively adopted worldwide. This kind of measurement made in standard U.S fractions was recently added and countries outside of America  are also seen following this standardization.

Length of screws

While the pan head screw’s length is measured from the flat end of its round head to its tip, the length of the flat head screws measure from the top of the head to the tip of the rivet.

The length is the third item typically listed in the size chart and is identified by an ‘x’ symbol. For instance, a #8-20 x 3/4″ screw features 20 threads per inch and a shaft measuring 3/4″ in length and a 5/8-24 x 1″ screw has a diameter of 5/8″, 24 threads per inch and has a 1″ shaft.

There are some fasteners, which are measured as per the threads per inch sizing, execpt for their length and diameter such as 5/16 x 1/2″ and #10 x 1″

Threading of screws

This kind of measurement is at number 2 in the chart of standard screw sizes. The hyphen refers to the number of threads of screw shaft per inch. For e.g. a 1/4-28 sized screw has diameter of 1/4″ along-with 28 threads per inch and a #6-32 screw has 32 threads per inch on its shaft.

If you happen to see some kind of odd bow-tie shaped screw slots on your door or window pane, you’ve probably discovered the clutch head screws.  Such fasteners were extensively used in the auto industry from the 1940s through the 1960s. In 1970s, few of these screws also paved their way into travel trailer manufacturing industries as well.

Clutch head screws are also known as ‘One Way Screws‘ and ‘Security Screws‘. These specially designed fasteners are used for lasting installations. These are easy to use and can be installed using a normal screwdriver. The head of such kind of fastener features a normal drive and slanted rear face, which prevents the screwdriver from applying torque when trying to loosen these fasteners.

Once implanted, these rivets require typical drilling application for removal from the holes. However, you can even fetch for a special kind of driver bit to undo them.

In order to unscrew these rivers, you’re required to use a screwdriver bit of the same shape and size. The clutch head one way screws can be unscrewed in the clockwise direction by using a standard slotted screwdriver. This drive system was probably the worlds first security recess.

Unique Design

This unique feature enables such screws to be tamper-proof, thereby enhancing the security of your house and lessening the risk of robbery and making it impossible for the intruders to tamper the screws. Due to their unique design, there are even ideal for higher torque applications.

Thus, these fasteners are also referred as Jail Head. They are usually self-tappers and are used in applications jail cell hinges and even in domestic window locks and exposed door lock screws.

Types

Standard Clutch Head

The clutch head screws are usually of two types: type A and type G. The type A is also known as a standard clutch and usually resembles a bow tie. And the type G resembles a butterfly.

These are zinc plated hardened steel and cannot be removed once they are installed. Besides, the countersunk clutch head screws can only be opened by a flat head screw driver

Uses

The type A screws were widely used earlier and were commonly seen in 1940s’GM automobiles, including trucks and buses. And the type G rivets are commonly used in the construction of mobile homes and recreational vehicles. You can even find them in your windows and doors, if they’re installed with some odd bow-tie shaped screw slots.

These are ideal for

• Public access wooden windows & doors
• Seating & fencing
• Prison fittings & fixtures
• School & college fixings & fixtures
• Also used in timber applications

Added Benefits

A police survey shows that around 30% of the intruders gain access to the houses through windows. Therefore, it’s utmost necessary to keep your windows secured.

Beat the thieves with the clutch head screws!  

Their ‘one way’ design lets you fasten these screws with an ordinary Slotted screwdriver, but unscrewing them is virtually impossible. Hence, these can be of great help, as their unique features make it impossible for them to be unscrewed using a driver, instead a driller is required to undo them.

There’s another kind of screw known as A2 clutch head round wood screws.

These fasteners are also known as Clutchless Screws and are made up of A2 stainless Steel.

These types of hardened steel self tapping screws can be used with various materials including wood, plastic and as a self tapping screw.

Applications

• These fasteners are mostly used by the police and councils to secure number plates
• Construction Security Screws
• Sign Security

Plywood screws, which are also known as chipboard screws are self-tapping screws, featuring thin shaft and coarse threads. These fasteners are made up of either wood dust or wood chips and resin, and as the name suggests, these screws are mainly in plywood and other soft wood surfaces.

These rivets are made to clinch this composite surface, so as to withstand loosening. The screws firmly hold either two plywood or any chipboard to other materials, say natural wood.

Apart from wooden works, these screws are highly recommended for squeaky floors as well. Recently one of our esteemed clients faced an issue with pressboard sub-flooring in his 20 years old house. While his upstairs flooring was creaking under the carpet, the downstairs floors jolt the entire house whenever stepped on promptly.

His main concern was to stop those high-pitched annoying sound and if he should go for another layer of plywood over the existing flooring? He was also interested in replacing the entire floor.

So, this is what we had suggested him. Read on!

Instead of spending huge bucks in replacing the entire flooring, you can always go for an additional layer of plywood, which will definitely resolve all those issues. We highly recommend you to go for thicker material, as thicker the size would be, the degree of sound transmission would be reduced to more extent.

And yes, it’s always possible to fasten the existing wooden surface with the new layering. You’ll have to mark out the old nailing patterns, which should be in a gap of minimum 16 inches. Our aim should be enabling every new fastener with a supporting beam. By doing this, the squeaks will be reduced to a great extent and will even laminate properly the new layers along-with the base.

The plywood screws are the most ideal supplies required for fastening and you can even go for gluing, thereby strengthening the grip even more.

In the meanwhile, do not forget about the sap, which pulls this surface up. So, better fasten it with those screws.

And do not try compromising with the quality of the screws, as this is definitely not a place to think about cost-cutting. So purchase the plywood screws in ample quantity and insert screw at every 4-6 inches of gap at the seams and at every 6-8 inches of gap in the field.

This is indeed an effective method, giving away long lasting results.

If your plywood is of 5-8 inches thick then you should consider those screws, which are at least 2 and 1/2 inches long, so that they can get a nice grip. However be warned that you don’t have any radiant heating line or plumbing beneath this surface.

We suggest you to go for an half inch plywood for the layering and you can even bowl over the seams from the existing surface. You can go cheap on the facings for the plywood to save from the recent hike in their pricing. For instance, you can go for CCX PTS, which exactly works as the ‘A’ grade material or you can even opt for OSB, which works well under the carpet.

The rooms with carpets need a little adjustment, as you would have to manage with the closets and swing doors for proper installation. You need to build a carpet shelf by raising the level of the carpeted areas.

But the major problem arises in areas, where you’re thinking of installing vinyl or linoleum flooring. For this, you’ll need a third layer of chipboard or particle board and so also the have to determine the size and thickness of plywood screws.

Not to mention, stairs are another nightmare. You can easily face trip hazards and in order to prevent this, you should confirm that the building code should have a minimum gap of at least 3-8 inches between the stairs, but the height should not exceed above 8.