Screws in Salt Lake City

Start with the material and application

The best replacement screw depends on what it is fastening and how the joint was designed. A screw used in a tapped metal hole has different requirements from one used in sheet material or another substrate. When replacing an existing fastener, the original screw and the mating part provide valuable clues.

If you are unsure about the size, our guide on how to measure and identify a replacement bolt or screw explains how to check diameter, thread pitch and length.

Thread size and pitch must match

Machine-thread screws can look very similar while using different thread pitches. A screw may start into the wrong threaded hole and then bind after a turn or two. Stop if there is unusual resistance; forcing it can damage the internal threads.

For inch and metric threaded screws, compare both diameter and pitch. If you have the mating nut or threaded component, bring it with the screw whenever possible.

Head and drive style affect access

The head determines how the screw seats against the work, while the drive determines which tool engages it. Clearance around the screw, whether the head needs to sit flush, and the amount of tool access available can all influence the correct style.

When matching a screw from equipment, cabinetry, machinery or an enclosure, note whether the head sits above the surface, in a recess or flush with the surrounding material.

Measure length from the correct point

Most non-countersunk screws are measured from beneath the head to the tip. Countersunk screws are generally measured over their full length because the head sits within the material. That difference can make two screws with the same listed length look noticeably different side by side.

Also check how much thread engagement the application requires. A screw that is too long can bottom out or interfere with another component, while one that is too short may not provide adequate engagement.

Bring the old screw to the counter

For odd or unfamiliar screws, the fastest route is often to bring the original hardware to Fastener Engineering. Even a damaged screw can usually provide enough information to compare diameter, pitch, head, drive and finish.

If the screw is part of a larger assembly, bring any related washers, nuts or mating parts as well. For broader maintenance needs, see our industrial fastener selection.