Grub Screw

SOCKET SET SCREW – Allen Grub Screw

A set screw is a threaded fastener that normally does not have a head. Unlike most other threaded fasteners it is basically a compression device normally used to generate axial thrust.

Set Screws are also known as grub screw.

It is used to hold parts like sleeve, collar, coupling, gear etc. on a shaft to prevent relative motion.

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.

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).

Socket set screws offer three types of holding power: torsional (resistance to rotation); axial (resistance to lateral movement); and vibrational.

Size selection is an important factor in holding power.

Grub Screws are available with different point options.

Point Selection According to Application

Point of a set screw is that part of the set screw which rotates against the shaft being secured. Point selection is normally determined by the nature of the application – materials, their
relative hardness, frequency of assembly and re-assembly and other factors. Information on standard point types is as under.

Cup Point

The cup point is the most used style set screw. It is used for fast, permanent and semi-permanent location of parts on shafts with hardness differential of 10-15 Rockwell C points and where cutting in of cup edge on the shaft is acceptable. It is used for soft materials where high tightening torques are impractical.

Available as PLAIN CUP for soft materials, zinc, die castings where high tightening torques are impractical.
Knurled cup for resisting more severe vibration.

Knurled Cup or KCP are used for quick and permanent location of gears, collars, pulleys or knobs on shafts.

Standard – DIN 916, ISO 4029, ASME-B18.3.4.

DIN 916 Grub Screw KCP SS-304 A2 B4A07 – Download Datasheet
DIN 916 Grub Screw KCP SS-316 A4 B6A07 – Download Datasheet

DIN 916 Grub Screw KCP Titanium GR2 R1A07 – Download Datasheet

ASME-B18.3.4 UNC Grub Screw KCP SS-304 A2 B4uA07 – Download Datasheet

ASME-B18.3.4 UNF Grub Screw KCP SS-304 A2 B4vA07 – Download Datasheet

SS-304 and SS-316 available in Black on request

DIN 916 Grub Screw Cup Point SS-304 A2 BLACK U4A07 – Download Datasheet

Flat Point

They are use where parts must be frequently re-set, as it causes little or no damage to part it bears against.

Care must be taken as the bottom threads can deform when the grub screw is tightened which can make disassembly difficult.

Available in ISO 4026 or DIN 913. Also available with a 6-Lobe drive.

DIN 913 Grub Screw FLT SS-304 A2 B4A06 – Download Datasheet
DIN 913 Grub Screw FLT SS-316 A4 B6A06 – Download Datasheet

DIN 913 Grub Screw FLT 6-Lobe Torx SS-304 A2 B4A12 – Download Datasheet

SS-304 and SS-316 available in Black on request

Cone Point

They are used for permanent location of parts. Deep penetration on tightening gives highest axial and holding power.

The pointed tip can either located into a machined depression or it can make and indentation into a softer material. It offers better holding power and increased point pressure.

In material over Rockwell C15 point is spotted to half its length to develop shear strength across point. It is also used for pivots and fine adjustment.

Available in ISO 4027 or DIN 914

DIN 914 Grub Screw CP SS-304 A2 B4A09 – Download Datasheet
DIN 914 Grub Screw CP SS-316 A4 B6A09 – Download Datasheet

SS-304 and SS-316 available in Black on request

Slotted Grub Screw with Cone Point (DIN 553) also available upon request

DIN 533 Slotted Grub Screw CP SS-304 A2 B4A13 – Download Datasheet

Dog Point

They are used for permanent location of one part to another. They have flat end with the threads stopping short of the end.

The tip is normally located into a groove in a shaft and allows the shaft to rotate whilst retaining the part in place.

The end is spotted in hole drilled in shaft or against flat (milled). They often replace dowel pins. Works well against hardened members or hollow tubing.

It is used traditionally to hold one or more objects in place both safely and securely. They are also commonly used in guiding industrial parts into drilled holes.

Available in ISO 4028 or DIN 915

DIN 915 Grub Screw Dog PT SS-304 A2 B4A08 – Download Datasheet
DIN 915 Grub Screw Dog PT SS-316 A4 B6A08 – Download Datasheet

SS-304 and SS-316 available in Black on request:
DIN 915 Grub Screw Dog PT SS-304 A2 Black U4A08 – Download Datasheet
DIN 915 Grub Screw Dog PT SS-316 A4 Black U6A08 – Download Datasheet
Set Screw point selection Guide Plain CUP Knurled Cup FLAT CONE Dog
Permanent hold YES YES YES YES
High Compression force
Vibration resistance YES
Reusable without thread/surface damage YES
Fits well with holes YES
Use as an Adjustion screw YES YES
Use as hanger points YES
Use on hard soft materials. YES YES YES

CAUTION

One potential downside of flush-set grub screws, however, is that they can be quite difficult to remove once driven with full force to sit flush with or countersunk into the surface of the workpiece, especially if they do become corroded or the drive slot is damaged due to excessive torque going in. In these sorts of scenarios, grub screws might often need to be drilled out for proper removal, which can be challenging in itself due to the high tensile strengths of materials generally used to manufacture grub and set screws.

Set Screws are not suitable for Tensile loads.

Pro Tip

When drilling a hole for a set screw it is important not to over-drill the hole otherwise you may install the screw too far inside the installation material. Before you begin drilling the hole, measure the set screw against the tip of the drill bit and wrap blue tape around the drill where the screw ends.

This will prevent over-drilling and ensure you have the right depth for the hole. Also make sure to clear out and debris with compressed air prior to installing the set screw.

Material Selection

STAINLESS STEEL ADVANTAGES
Corrosion resistance, Wide temperature range (–180° C to +800° C), Freedom
from scaling or oxidation.
Non-magnetic, a valuable property in certain electrical and electronic applications. (Maximum permeability is 1.2) Corrosion-resistance useful where cleanliness is important.

How to remove a stuck grub screw

As noted above, the process for removing a stuck or bound grub set screw can be challenging – not necessarily more so than standard screws by design, but the fact is that grub screws are very often driven with far higher torque in order to achieve their intended friction-based clamping or binding function. This can make backing them out again tricky under some circumstances.

The basic steps to removing a grub screw will be largely similar to those required for removing any other type of threaded fastener:

  • 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 starting
  • Insert the correct kind of drive for the type of grub screw in question, and make sure it is securely seated
  • If the screw won’t immediately back out with a counterclockwise torque force, you can attempt to turn the grub screw slightly further right (clockwise), in the direction you’d use to tighten it more – this can often break a rust seal more easily than trying to go directly to backing it out
  • 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
  • Choose a suitable diameter drill bit for drilling out the stuck grub screw in question (this will often be specified for different gauges of screw on many screw extractor and drill bit sets).

Once you’ve drilled the hole, insert the most suitable size of screw extractor into the hole you’ve just made, tap it in with a hammer to ensure a secure fit, then proceed as normal to attempt to turn the extractor counterclockwise using the added torque from a tap-and-die kit handle or similar