Depending on the work you plan on doing, you’re going to need to decide which screw would be best for the job. There are so many different types of screws out there from micro screws to machine screws, so it can be overwhelming if you don’t know the differences.
While every type of screw has its purpose, machine screws are the perfect type of fastener for household items like electronics and appliances. They differ significantly from other screws, so let’s take a look at a few of the differences between machine screws and other screws and bolts.
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Among all of the differences, one of the biggest differences between machine screws and all others is that they are typically used in already-threaded holes. In most cases, the screw creates the hole as you push it through the material. But with this type, you can just twist it right into place. This is actually pretty beneficial, as you’re likely to end up with a much stronger joint. These screws are similar to hi-low screws in the sense that they both relieve stress to the material you’re inserting the fastener into. Hi-lo screws have a reduced minor diameter and therefore displace less plastic material and minimize stress. They have a double lead high and low thread with the high thread having a 30-degree thread form that further minimizes material displacement while providing positive thread engagement.
What are machine screws used for? Since machine screws are used for holding together engines, electronics, and industrial equipment, they are extremely strong. While quality screws, in general, are pretty strong, these are extra strong as they have much heavier items to hold together. A micro screw would be perfect to keep your cellphone intact, but a machine screw has the ability to hold your kitchen stove together.
This difference is actually somewhat of a similarity. The head of these types of screw looks pretty similar to the heads of all other screws. This means it’s so important to make sure you know the application of the screw and to ensure that it matches the screw head you’re picking out. If you’re looking to put a tamper screw in place, for example, you might decide to get a custom screw head for the machine screw.
Machine screws are unlike any other screw on the market, so it’s crucial to know what kind of project you plan to use a screw for since they’re all so different. Take a look at the machine screw vs. bolt differences listed above when deciding which screw you need.