Pan head bolts are one of the most common types of machine screws available. They share many similarities with cap head screws, but they have a rounded head that is free of pointed edges for safety and aesthetic purposes.
They are often used to achieve a neat finish on metal applications. They are also available with security drives to help prevent tampering.
Self-drilling
Self-drilling pan head bolts are perfect for a wide variety of applications. They can be used in steel to metal or steel to timber, and feature super-sharp drill-bit points that bite into your substrate.
They eliminate the need for a pilot hole, which enhances productivity and performance on the jobsite. They also come in a wide range of drive styles, including slotted and Phillips.
These screws are designed to be used in a variety of substrates, such as wood and softer materials like plastics. They can also be used in a variety of gauges of metal, such as half-inch and quarter-inch.
Slotted
Slotted pan head bolts are a cinch to install and offer a bit more traction than their flat headed counterparts. They have a large diameter and are made from A2 stainless steel for corrosion resistance.
They come in a variety of sizes and are available with a neoprene washer in galvanized or stainless steel as well as plated in zinc & phosphate. They also come with a number of other features including chemical blackening and thread locking patches.
They are a tad more complex than the typical machine screw and they can be custom manufactured to your exact specifications. They are also available in a range of materials and colors to suit your particular application needs.
Phillips
A pan head bolt is a nice way to affix metal to wood. They are a popular choice for commercial and residential construction and home improvement projects because of their ability to hold fasteners in place without causing undue damage to the surrounding material. Known for their high strength to weight ratio and impressive lifespan, pan head bolts are the best bet for high-torque fastening applications and can be used to hold all manner of hardware in place from electrical to HVAC components.
The best pan head screws are made from zinc plated steel in a variety of sizes and shapes. You’ll also find a number of stainless steel pan head bolts with different tensile strengths. The name of the game is to find the right combination of materials and specifications for your project.
Square
Square pan head bolts are a type of screw that resemble an upside down frying pan with a wide head, curved or chamfered vertical sides and a flat bearing surface. This head style is commonly used for self-drilling, self-tapping and machine screws.
These fasteners are available in a variety of materials including steel, stainless steel and polymer. Typically, they are made with fully threaded shanks and offer good retention in wood.
They can also be fabricated with a tamper-resistant design that makes it difficult for a person armed with a standard wrench or socket set to loosen the fastener. This type of bolt is often used for applications where a strong connection to the object being fastened is not as important as security or aesthetics.
Countersunk
Countersunk pan head bolts are used in a variety of fastening applications. They are ideal for applications where you want the screw heads to be completely buried in the material they are fastening.
When you use a traditional screw, the screw head can protrude and cause damage to the surface it’s fastening to. When you use a countersunk screw, the head is completely buried in the material it’s fastening to, so there’s no risk of damage or breakage.
There are several different types of countersunk screws, including flat 82+, ‘flat undercut’, and ‘flat 100+’. The ‘flat undercut’ is used for some short screws to allow more shallow countersinking than a standard 82 degree flat head, while the ‘flat 100+’ is suitable for thinner materials that need a flat head.