Adjustable screw mount whatchamacallit.

September 3, 2009 5:31 PM

I need some help identifying a fastener.

I making a little DIY project where I want to use some hand adjustable screw things. The problem is I don't know what they're called. You often see them on camera tripod legs, adjustable broom handles or a variety of other places. I found this one on a curtain rod mount (with a regular screw instead of a hand adjustable thumb screw).

I'm guessing they're some variety of thumb screw, but searching that only gets me the thumb screw part, not the part it screws into. Anyone know what they're called or where I can buy some?

posted by sanka to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

Set screws?
posted by fish tick at 5:34 PM on September 3, 2009

Response by poster: I'm looking for the part the set screw screws into.
posted by sanka at 5:34 PM on September 3, 2009

The threaded hole that the screw goes into is usually built into part of the overall piece, so it really depends on how you are planning to use the screws in your project.

Do you have a photo or drawing of where you want to incorporate these?
posted by orme at 5:45 PM on September 3, 2009

Best answer: Shaft collars, which includes set screws.
posted by mosk at 5:50 PM on September 3, 2009

Go to

http://www.mcfeelys.com/

and search for threaded inserts. Are these what you are looking for?
posted by MiggySawdust at 5:53 PM on September 3, 2009

Response by poster: A shaft collar is definitely what I'm looking for. Those are much more heavy duty than I need though, and I don't see a simple way to mount them for my project. To be honest I might just buy some more curtain rod mounts and find a thumbscrew to fit in it, as it's about perfect for my needs.
posted by sanka at 5:59 PM on September 3, 2009

Your other option - which will be more versatile in the long run, would be to get an appropriate sized drill and tap. This would enable you to drill a hole in whatever bit of your project needs the set screw, then screw the tap into the hole, thereby cutting the appropriate sized threads for the set screw.

Tap drills come in a bewildering variety of sizes, so let's keep it simple. If you're happy with using metric, get yourself some M6 threaded bolts, an M6 hand tap and a 5mm twist drill. All should be fairly readily available.
posted by tim_in_oz at 6:02 PM on September 3, 2009 [1 favorite]

Yeah you just need a piece of tubing that will fit over whatever it is you are going to affix it to. Drill a whole, tap it and you're done.
posted by sully75 at 6:08 PM on September 3, 2009

I hope I don't cause offense by piggybacking, but what brick-and-mortar store could I find shaft collars in?
posted by lekvar at 3:16 PM on September 4, 2009