When most people think of screws, they envision traditional pointed threaded fasteners with a sharp point on one end and a wide head on the other hand. Not all screws fall under this category, however. Flat-point set screws, for instance, lack a point and head. They still have a threaded body, and they are still used to secure parts in place, but flat-point set screws feature an entirely different design.
What Are Flat-Point Set Screws?
Flat-point set screws are threaded fasteners with a flat point. They are designed for use in threaded holes. As you turn a flat-point set screw clockwise, its external threads will connect to the hole’s internal threads.
Flat-point set screws don’t have a wide or mushroom-shaped head. Instead, they consist almost entirely of a threaded body. This design allows them to sit flush with the surface of the object or material in which they are installed.
What Are Flat-Point Set Screws Used For?
You can use flat-point set screws to secure parts in place relative to other parts. They work via compression and friction. A shaft and gear, for example, may feature one or more flat-point set screws. These specialized fasteners can connect gears onto shafts so that problems like slippage are less likely to occur.
When you tighten a flat-point set screw, the flat tip will move inward. Eventually, the tip will reach the shaft where it applies pressure and friction. This pressure and friction will prevent the flat-point set screw from loosening, thereby securing the parts in place.
How Are Flat-Point Set Screws Installed?
Since they don’t feature a wide or mushroom-shaped head, you can’t install flat-point set screws using a standard screwdriver. Instead, you’ll typically need to use a hex key.
The end of a flat-point set screw opposite the tip features a shallow recess. This recess has eight sides, resulting in a hexagonal shape. You can install a flat-point set screw by placing a hex key inside of this recess and turning it clockwise. To loosen or remove a flat-point set screw, you simply need to turn the hex key counterclockwise.
Other Point Types
It’s important to note that set screws are available in other point types. Flat point is just one of several point types. Others in which set screws are available include cup point, cone point and dog point. Each point type has a different point style that affects the screw’s performance when using as a fastener.
