What are the uses of pan head screw?

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What Are Truss Head Screws?
What Are Pan Head Screws?
Differences Between Truss Head and Pan Head Screws
1. What are the main types of pan head screws?
2. How to measure a pan head screw?
3. What are pan head screws used for?

Screws are often categorized according to their head. All screws have a head. The head, of course, is the uppermost part of a screw. It connects to the shank, which is the threaded body. You can install screws by driving them into a workpiece via the head.

There are different types of screw heads, however. Some screws have a truss head, whereas others have a pan head. Truss head and pan head screws feature a similar shape, but they aren’t necessarily the same.

What Are Truss Head Screws?

Truss head screws are threaded fasteners with a mushroom-shaped head. They have a wide and slightly rounded head that resembles a mushroom. With their mushroom-shaped head, truss head screws will protrude out of the workpieces in which they are installed. They won’t sit flush with workpieces. After driving a truss head screw all the way into a workpiece, the head will protrude out.

What Are Pan Head Screws?

Pan head screws are threaded fasteners with a similar non-countersunk, mushroom-shaped head. They are commonly used to fasten wooden workpieces. Pan head is one of the most common types of screws. They are known as “pan head screws” because their head resembles a pan.

Differences Between Truss Head and Pan Head Screws

Truss head and pan head screws have a similar shape. They are both rounded, and they are both non-countersunk. You can also find them in different head recesses. Whether truss head or pan head, screws are available in different head recesses. The head recess, of course, determines the type of bit with which a screw can be installed and removed. Some truss head screws and pan head screws have a Philips head recess, whereas others have a flat head recess.

Being that they look similar, you might be wondering how truss head and pan head screws differ from each other. The main difference lies in their profile. Truss head screws typically have a lower profile than pan head screws.

Both truss head and pan head screws will protrude out of the workpieces in which they are installed. This is a defining characteristic of all non-countersunk screws. Truss head and pan head screws are non-countersunk, so they’ll produce out of workpieces. With that said, truss head screws have a lower profile than their pan head counterparts.

The low profile of truss heads means that they’ll sit lower on workpieces. The head won’t produce as far out of the workpieces as pan head screws. Pan head screws have a higher profile, so the head protrudes farther out.

Fastener Tech Data | Understanding Series Introduction

Screw type fasteners are manufactured with different head styles. Sometimes the style serves a functional purpose, and sometimes it's more decorative in nature. Understanding the differences will help you decide which style to choose.

There are two basic designs: countersunk and non-countersunk. Non-countersunk heads—where the head is fully exposed—encompass the largest variety. This style includes: binding, button, cheese, fillister, flange, hex, pan, round, socket and low socket, square and truss heads (binding head is occasionally referred to as binder head). Sometimes features are combined, as in the case of slotted hex, hex washer, slotted hex washer and round washer head designs.

Countersunk designs mainly consist of flat, oval and bugle heads. Unless the material is very soft, flat and oval heads require a countersunk hole. The advantage is that little or no part of the head protrudes beyond the surface of the material. If you are using flat heads screws in finish work, consider using a flat head screw cover (also known as a "beauty cap") to hide the head (not all drive styles will accept screw covers). Made of plastic, these caps are available in standard colors that match commonly used plastic laminates and wood. Bugle heads are commonly found in drywall screws, and the head design automatically compresses the drywall paper and gypsum as it is installed thus forming its own countersunk hole.

Drive style—or drive recess as it is called—refers to the kind of tool you use to install (or remove) the screw. Of the many that exist, the most common are: slotted, Phillips, combination (both slotted and Phillips), hex, hex socket, square, Torx® and spanner.

Use a slotted screwdriver (flat blade) for slotted, combination and one way screws; a Phillips screwdriver for Phillips and combination screws; a hex key for hex socket; and a Torx® driver for Torx® screws. To prevent head damage, match the driver to the screw head. For example, don't use a small slotted screwdriver with a large slotted screw, or the wrong size hex key. Depending on what size Phillips head screw you're using, you may need a No. 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 Phillips screwdriver (the larger the number, the larger the driver tip). Probably the most prevalent are Nos. 1 and 2, although No. 0 will be needed for some very small screws and 3 and 4 for large screws. (See the Point / Bit Size Guide for information about Phillips, square and Torx® drive sizes, and the Socket Screw Products chart for information about hex key sizes.) Slotted and Phillips screwdrivers work with metric screws, but you must use metric hex keys with metric hex socket screws. Also, Phillips, square, hex and Torx® drive screws are popular because there's less chance for the driver to slip out and scratch finish work.

Hex head, like hex cap screws, require a wrench or socket. Use a wrench for square head bolts and screws.

If security is important—when you want to prevent someone from removing a screw—select an uncommon drive style. Square socket and Torx® offer a degree of security because those tools aren't as common. For improved security, consider using pin hex, pin Torx®, or spanner. Pin hex and pin Torx® are very identifiable—a small pin is added to the center of the drive hole. That means you will need to use special pin hex and pin Torx® drivers to install or remove those screws. One way screws are designed not to be removed, although a special removal tool is available.

For details about the bit, key or Phillips point size you will need for different screws, or screw head dimensions and other information, check out these reference charts…

Regardless of the screw head or drive style, chances are Fastener Mart has what you're looking for.

Fastener Tech Data | Understanding Series Introduction

Like nails, screws are (usually) small pieces of hardware used to hold materials together. One of the main differences is that screws are designed to be able to be removed and replaced easily without damage to the screw itself or the material it connects. Most screws are made from some type of metal, and many are covered in a rustproof coating. Aside from material, screws differ in head shape, head type, threading and purpose.

Machine screws are designed to hold pieces of machinery together. Most machine screws require that the hole already be drilled and threaded, although there are a few types of machine screws capable of tapping their own holes. Like other screws, machine screws are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Pan head machine screws are machine screws with heads that are flat on top and rounded on the sides. They're similar to oval head machine screws, which also have rounded sides; the difference is that oval head screws have a rounded top, too, as opposed to a flat top, and they have tapered bases. Both are commonly used for metal applications. Pan head machine screws can also be differentiated from flat head screws, which have flat tops, as well. However, flat head screws are tapered on the underside of the head so they can lie flush with the material they're driven into. Meanwhile, round head screws have flat bottoms with rounded heads, much like half a sphere. Round head screws can't sit flush with the material they're driven into; instead, their heads poke out like little bumps.

Pan head machine screws can be designed with a variety of head types, too. A slotted pan head machine screw has a single cut in the head for use with a straight screwdriver. Philips pan head machine screws have a cross cut into the top for use with a Philips screwdriver.

1. What are the main types of pan head screws?

This utilitarian screw features a broad head with rounded edges that some compare to an upside-down frying pan and requires a tapped hole.

The pan head screw is one of the versatile type screws: it features with a broad head with rounded edges that provide a large bearing surface, which makes it suitable in many applications. And the name of “pan head screw” also comes from the shape of the head that is similar to an upside-down frying pan.

Based on different categories, there are different types of pan head screws. We often divide them into two types: Pan Head Self Tapping Screw and Pan Head Self Drilling Screw.

Pan Head Self Tapping Screw

The pan head self-tapping screw is designed with a sharp point. With its sharp cutting threads, the Pan Head Self Tapping Screw can be used for wood or plastic applications.

Pan Head Self Drilling Screw

Compared with Pan Head Self Tapping Screw, the Pan HEAD Self Drilling Screw is featured with a drill point. This self-drilling capability saves the need for pre-drilling and makes it an ideal fastener for a wide range of applications, especially in metal fastening work, such as metal roof construction, etc.

Apart from the point types, the pan head screws can also be categorized according to the drive type: it can be Phillips, Pozi, Slot, etc. The unique design of the pan head makes almost all types of recess are possible: with a large bearing surface and high edges, the dive slot can be deep and allows the increased torque while minimizing the risk of damage to the screw. Besides, the flat underside of the pan head also provides a greater surface for a firmer hold.

2. How to measure a pan head screw?

The correct size of the pan head screw is the first step for an effective fastening work.

Like other kinds of screws, the pan head screw consists of a head, a shaft with threads, and a point. It’s worth mentioning that unlike screws with a flat head, the length of the pan head screw is measured from the underside of the head.