The Folding Knife (& Switchblade) Forum The materials, techniques and the designing of folding knives. |
06-12-2007, 04:05 PM
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Skilled
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Button head screw vs. Pan head screw
I found that Pan head screw cost much cheaper than Button head screws but no one seems to be using Pan head screws. Why? Is of pan head is too high compared to button head?
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06-12-2007, 06:32 PM
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I like the flat head screws myself. The flat head and the button head are both popular. Most everything else either looks weird or is too tall for convenient countersinking....
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06-12-2007, 07:19 PM
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Alex, most makers use Torx head screws. Panheads are slotted head screws unless I'm mistaken. The head is too short to make them Torx screws.
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06-13-2007, 08:46 AM
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Torx isn't really a type of screw, is it, Don? I mean, for example, you can buy flat head screws that are slotted, Phillips, Allen, or Torx keyed. The same keys are available in button head. I think you're referring to cap screws which are common in Allen and Torx styles .......
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06-13-2007, 12:35 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ray Rogers
Torx isn't really a type of screw, is it, Don? I mean, for example, you can buy flat head screws that are slotted, Phillips, Allen, or Torx keyed. The same keys are available in button head. I think you're referring to cap screws which are common in Allen and Torx styles .......
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I didn't make myself clear. Yes, most screws are available in the variations you mention, but I don't believe you can buy a torx driven panhead screw. The head isn't deep enough for a torx driver.
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06-13-2007, 01:43 PM
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Not that it really matters because for whatever reason they really don't seem popular with folder makers but MSC does list machine screws in the sizes we use (down to 0-80 ) that are pan head with Torx drive. The particular ones I saw listed were zinc plated though and that's reason enough for us not to use them. If there are some in stainless they might be worth considering but I think I'll stay with my flat heads or the occasional button head .....
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06-13-2007, 07:12 PM
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Yep, I use both flat head. and button head screws on my folders.
I'm surprised you found those screws, even if they are zinc plated.
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06-15-2007, 03:59 AM
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McMaster sells stainless torx pan head screws for $5 for 50 screws.
item 96710A218
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06-15-2007, 11:37 PM
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Vexpensive Alex. Go to R.B. Johnson for screws unless you buy by the 1000 and then gp to Halpern Titanium And yes they sell pan headsed torx screws . Frank
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06-16-2007, 12:39 PM
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I bought a batch of torx panhead screws from smallparts.com
Button, pan, I don't know the difference. I couldn't even find an explanation in my Machinery's Handbook. So I ordered the panheads from smallparts and they are a smidge taller than the screws I get from Halpern. I'll probably go back to Halpern for the next batch for this reason.
Anyway, if you're interested, smallparts has the panheads in every size all the way down to 00-90. All the sizes we use in folders are priced at $10.35 per 100.
I'm still confused about the difference between a panhead and a buttonhead.
-Ben
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06-16-2007, 01:40 PM
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I believe button heads are fully domed and pan heads are more like a dome that has been flattened on the top, anyway their top edges are heavily rounded. A fillister screw is similar but with square shoulders rather than rounded and straight sides. A cap screw is like a fillister screw except that they have a smaller diameter when compared to the height of the screw head (very tall head for the diameter). There are a gazillion (rough estimate) types of screws but the bottom line for us is does it look good on the knife we are building and, if not, can I reshape it so that it does look good. The screws become part of the esthetics of the knife - use the wrong screw and the whole appearance of the knife will be, well, screwed ....
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06-16-2007, 05:29 PM
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Great post Ray! Thanks.
-Ben
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