Besides aesthetics, another advantage of using grub screws (with no leading or trailing edge exposed at the head end) is that they can often offer better resistance to weathering and corrosion as a result. They can also be driven with considerably more torque force than traditional screws, as the uniform diameter right the way along the full length of the grub screw shaft means that they don’t begin to split the hole apart as they go in further. Instead, the the surrounding material into which the set or grub screw is driven will work to reinforce the fastening as it goes in. As stated in the section above, the most common uses for grub screws are to join or clamp one object or component tightly against another, but in specific scenarios where the use of a more traditional nut and bolt combination isn’t ideal for various reasons. Grub screws, also known as set screws, are a type of fixing screw that’s most often used to join one component or part securely to another. The most obvious point of distinction between grub screws and other types of standard screws and bolts is that true grub screws tend not to feature a protruding head. Instead, they’re usually threaded right to the top, and are the same diameter all the way along their length, meaning that the grub screw can be fully driven into its hole to sit flush with (or even countersunk into, depending on the application) the workpiece. Set screws often do feature a head - very likely a hex fitting - but without a threadless section immediately below it (again, this is different to the length of unthreaded shank you’d typically find on a standard bolt). Because they often feature no protruding screw head in the traditional sense, true grub screws tend to be driven by means of a sunken internal recess at what is still generally referred to as the ‘head end’.

Set screws also known as grub screws are a special type of screw used to secure moving or sliding parts securely into position. Set screws are completely threaded along the entire length and have no head. They are widely used in a range of sectors and industries. Here at Cromwell, we offer a wide selection of set screws from leading brands Qualfast, Bondhus and workshop. You can apply a penetrating lubricant to help reduce and remove any rust or corrosion present around the threads of the grub screw prior to startingTypical examples of uses for grub screws might include any situation where one object or component needs to clamp to another tightly via friction, but where protruding parts of the fastener would interfere with smooth functioning of the items in question. Grub screws for this purpose are especially widely used in architectural ironmongery, and are a very common feature found wherever door handles are attached to spindle shafts. Insert the correct kind of drive for the type of grub screw in question, and make sure it is securely seated Regardless of the exact type or shape of grub screws and set screws you’re looking to buy, you’ll generally find them sold to a range of sizing specifications, including grub screw sets defined in both imperial (inches and fractions of inches) and metric (millimetres) units of measurement.

cone point tip grub screws, which are ideal for exerting additional force when joining items made from softer materials, or to fit into an existing depression in the piece being mated to Set screws are considered a type of bolt, despite several key differences. They are designed to securely join and grip components together without the need for a nut. They do not have a head like standard screws and bolts, which allows them to sit flush and hidden within the workpiece with no protruding parts. If it won’t budge and needs to be drilled out, start by taking an awl or centre punch and using it with a hammer to make a small indentation in the visible end of the grub screw - this will help reduce the risk of the drill bit from slipping or wandering while you drill through the metal Grub screws can often prove especially useful in situations where a standard nut and bolt would impede the optimal functioning of an object or component(s), or else would not achieve the clean aesthetic the installer is aiming for on the visible/external faces of an item. They’re almost always found being used in mechanical systems where two or more metal surfaces rub or press directly together, and where there isn’t room to fit a bolt or other type of protruding head between the two flush surfaces without limiting proper functionality or movement of the part(s). Because they’re often chosen to work in tight or confined spaces, or as part of more intricate assemblies, it’s common to find grub screws available in a wide range of very small sizes. These can start from as little as a couple of millimetres in standard hardware configurations, but anything under about 4mm would typically be considered a ‘small’ grub or set screw. Above this, they can come in just as wide a range of sizes as most other screw types.When buying grub screws or set screws from most manufacturers and suppliers, you'll usually find up to six different variants of grub screw shapes on offer. These include:

knurled point grub screws, which do much the same as cup point versions but also feature a serrated end for additional friction/gripThese screws can be made from materials such as steel, stainless steel, nylon, brass and ceramic and are available in a wide range of very small sizes. Types of Grub Screw