# What is this screw? called? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 26, 2023, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126 "2023-08-26T11:48:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 11:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/1 "2023-08-26T11:48:55Z")
Sorry, no photo, (which I couldn’t post anyway!), but what I’m referring to is the kind of tiny, ‘thread only’, (for lack of proper terminology), screw type thing. They are often used to tighten the door handle once it’s assembled. It’s tiny, has no real head, is mostly just thread. But, like, teeny tiny. I’m trying to find some replacements which seem to have fallen out and been lost. Not knowing what’s it’s actually called is making the searching very hard. Anyone know what it’s actually called? ---
**Author:** ![Longweekends](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/2acd7d/32.png) [@Longweekends](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Longweekends)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/2 "2023-08-26T11:56:34Z")
Grub screws? ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/3 "2023-08-26T11:58:07Z")
The screw must have a head. Google “types of screw heads” (without the quotes) and look at the images. Do any of them match? ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/4 "2023-08-26T12:04:48Z")
Set screw. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/5 "2023-08-26T12:05:37Z")
Grub screw or maybe [set screw](https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Find-Fastener-014973153366-Piece-20/dp/B00L1KZR4C?th=1) (Amazon pic). ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/6 "2023-08-26T12:31:56Z")
I was thinking set screw, but in my experience, you need a hex or Allen wrench to turn them. ---
**Author:** ![opiewan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/opiewan/32/3566_2.png) [@opiewan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/opiewan)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/7 "2023-08-26T12:32:18Z")
I call them set screws, wikipedia says they’re also called grub or blind screws. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/8 "2023-08-26T12:57:06Z")
Thanks y’all! Set screws seems to be the thing! Yes, you’re right, they do have a head of sorts. Thanks especially for the amazon link, that helps lots too. And also true, it uses a hex wrench! I knew y’all were the right people to ask, I tried many creative searches to no avail. Lots of wasted time. Thanks again! ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/9 "2023-08-26T13:02:36Z")
“Set screw” refers to its role, to push up against a flat spot on the shaft to prevent the knob from rotating relative to the shaft. The other terms folks have mentioned refer to the shape of the screw itself. ---
**Author:** ![Baal\_Houtham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baal_houtham/32/13604_2.png) [@Baal\_Houtham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baal_Houtham)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/10 "2023-08-26T13:53:45Z")
Nice point about shape versus function. I just spotted another interesting name/descriptor on [Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Keadic-Internal-Cup-Point-Assortment-Handles/dp/B08HRR9Y9B/ref=psdc_16410581_t3_B00L1KZR4C?th=1): “cup point” screw, referring to the non-pointed point. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/11 "2023-08-26T14:12:40Z")
My doorknobs have flathead set screws, as do the caps on my closet bar. The shower handle that controls water temp uses hex. So, yeah, comes in all kinds. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/12 "2023-08-26T14:12:51Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > you need a hex or Allen wrench to turn them I’ve encountered grub screws with a cross slot at the end for a very fine flat screwdriver. Somewhat less common, but oddly most of the bathroom accessories (towel bars, etc.) in my house seem to prefer that over hex drive. Random Google find: > **[M2 x 2mm Slotted Head Flat Point Set / Grub Screws (DIN 551) - Stainless...](https://accu-components.com/us/slotted-head-flat-point-set-grub-screws/610195-SFF-M2-2-A1)** > > Buy M2 x 2mm Slotted Head Flat Point Set / Grub Screws (DIN 551) - Stainless Steel (A1) from Accu's Precision Screws range. Manufactured by AccuScrews. In stock with express worldwide delivery available. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2023, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/13 "2023-08-26T14:19:28Z")
So … apropos of nothing … > [@Cool Words](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cool-words/922827): > > I was chatting with my brother about some DIY stuff recently, and I somehow uttered two ‘words’ that immediately struck me as cool: Grub screw Plinth block Which made me think about a whole litany of words that, IMHO, are just inherently cool – either because of the way they sound or what they mean. Got any that come to mind ? ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2023, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/14 "2023-08-27T23:17:47Z")
If there is still one in the door handle, take it out and take it to a hardware store. Set screws aren’t just a single size. Just like regular screws, set screws can have different size threads, different diameters, and different lengths. The hardware store will be figure out the exact size and get you a replacement. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2023, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-this-screw-called/989126/15 "2023-08-28T07:27:34Z")
If possible, take the handle with the female thread too (so you can try it out with the candidate replacement