Set Screws

Set screws are headless fasteners that secure one object within or against another, most often locking a hub, collar, gear, or pulley onto a shaft. Driven with an internal hex (Allen) key, they seat below the surface and apply compressive force through the selected point style. We stock socket set screws in every point type, material, and size.

Point Styles

Cup point: the most common—a recessed circular edge that bites into the shaft for strong holding on harder materials. Cone point: a sharp point for permanent location, seating into a matching spot drill or detent. Flat point: a flat tip for frequent adjustment against a flat surface or soft shaft, minimizing marring. Dog point: a protruding cylindrical tip that seats into a drilled hole or slot for positive location. Oval point: a rounded tip for adjustment against an angled or curved surface.

Materials and Hardness

Alloy steel: through-hardened to roughly Rockwell C45-53 for maximum holding power, typically black oxide finished. 18-8 stainless: corrosion resistance for general environments. 316 stainless: marine and chemical resistance. The hardened cup point on alloy set screws is essential for biting into steel shafts without deforming.

Dimensional Standards

Inch socket set screws conform to ASME B18.3. Metric versions follow point-specific standards: DIN 916 / ISO 4029 (cup), DIN 914 / ISO 4027 (cone), DIN 913 / ISO 4026 (flat), and DIN 915 / ISO 4028 (dog point).

Selecting the Right Set Screw

Choose point style by application: cup point for general shaft locking, cone for permanent setups, flat for soft or frequently adjusted shafts, dog point for positive keyed location. Match length so the screw seats fully without protruding past the hub. For high-vibration drives, use two set screws at 90 or 120 degrees, or apply thread locker. Confirm the hex key size and verify the tapped hole pitch matches the screw.

Use the filters to narrow by size, length, point style, material, and finish.