Machine Screws

Stove Bolts in a Variety of Drive, Head and Thread Styles

A machine screw is a screw or bolt with a flat point and a uniform diameter along the shaft's entire length. Available in a variety of drive styles, machine screw sizes, heads, and materials to fit a wide range of application needs, from machine components to appliances and more. These fasteners are either used with nuts or driven into tapped holes. In practice, machine screw sizes tend to be smaller. Pan head, flat head, oval head, and truss head stove bolts are the most popular varieties.

Albany County Fasteners offer machine screws in 304 Stainless Steel, 18-8 Stainless Steel, 316 Stainless Steel, Black Oxide Stainless Steel, Solid Brass, and Silicon Bronze. Stainless steel fasteners are corrosion resistant in varying grades. For environments requiring an extremely resistant product (such as saltwater), we recommend 316 stainless steel. 18-8 and 304 stainless steel grades are considered the industry standard and have corrosion-resistant qualities. Black oxide fasteners offer the same attributes as their standard stainless steel counterparts but have a chemically treated coating to add a sleek black finished look. For wood and plumbing applications, brass fasteners are used due to their nonmagnetic nature and heat resistant qualities.

FAQs

What is the difference between a bolt and a machine screw?

In the context of machine screws, the distinction between machine screws and bolts can get a little murky. Generally speaking, machine screws are smaller than bolts. They tend to have thread diameters ranging from #0 - 3/8" sometimes larger while bolts can go up to 2" in diameter or more.

There's some overlap between the two fasteners' sizes, so another way to tell the difference is how you install them. Bolts get tightened by turning a nut on the rear side of the fastening while machine screws have the majority of tightening applied to the screw's head as it's tightened into a tapped hole.

These examples are not completely definitive, and you'll find machine screws referred to bolts regularly. It ultimately depends on how you use the fasteners to determine the correct terminology.

What is a machine screw anchor?

Machine Scew Anchors are used with machine screws or bolts to anchor fixtures to concrete or masonry materials. Like many concrete anchors, machine screw anchors are installed into pre-drilled holes in masonry materials and set using a special tool. As the screw is tightened, it pulls up a wedge at the anchor's bottom, which expands the sleeve to fit snugly in the pre-drilled hole. Machine screw anchors are safe for concrete, brick, or block and fill uneven or irregular spots in the hole. The screws or bolts can be removed from the anchor and reinstalled later, without sacrificing the anchor's holding power.

Use machine screw anchors with sidewalk bolts for maximum holding power on your application.

Where are machine screws used?

Machine screws most often find use in metal parts and panels needing to be secured together, such as in electronics, engines, and industrial manufacturing equipment. You'll find them used frequently in industrial, manufacturing, construction, assembly, and production environments.