What's the most flexible type of screw, ie one that won't break when
bent? Steel and brass doesn't seem that flexible.

I have an application that needs a screw that won't sheer if bent more
than 20 degrees (the application is a bit complex to go into here!).

A thought - are there screws made from thick wire (5mm or so), as is
the case with wire nails? That would be ideal as wire nails are nice
and flexible.

Thanks

"matt" wrote in message
...
What's the most flexible type of screw, ie one that won't break when
bent? Steel and brass doesn't seem that flexible.

I have an application that needs a screw that won't sheer if bent more
than 20 degrees (the application is a bit complex to go into here!).

I would try nylon machine screws, with inserts for them to screw into, but I
wouldn't guarantee they would work.

A thought - are there screws made from thick wire (5mm or so), as is
the case with wire nails? That would be ideal as wire nails are nice
and flexible.

If you want to high-tech, get some precipitation hardening stainless steel
and make your own screws. That is the stuff that Army tank aerials are made
from and it has to be able to flex a lot without breaking.

Colin Bignell

"matt" wrote in message
...
What's the most flexible type of screw, ie one that won't break when
bent? Steel and brass doesn't seem that flexible.

I have an application that needs a screw that won't sheer if bent
more
than 20 degrees (the application is a bit complex to go into here!).

A thought - are there screws made from thick wire (5mm or so), as is
the case with wire nails? That would be ideal as wire nails are nice
and flexible.

Thanks


Take a normal screw and anneal it. Modern screws are hardened and so
rather brittle. Heat to a dull red and let it cool slowly, and you
will find you can bend it as you wish.

AWEM

In article ,
matt wrote:
What's the most flexible type of screw, ie one that won't break when
bent? Steel and brass doesn't seem that flexible.

Do you mean screw as in wood screw?

I have an application that needs a screw that won't sheer if bent more
than 20 degrees (the application is a bit complex to go into here!).

If you've got that much flexing, whatever the screw is fixed into won't
last long. I'd use high tensile nuts and bolts.

A thought - are there screws made from thick wire (5mm or so), as is
the case with wire nails? That would be ideal as wire nails are nice
and flexible.

I think that would cause problems in manufacture. So perhaps the easy way
would be to anneal a standard one. But then it might be difficult to screw
in without damage to it.

--
*Do paediatricians play miniature golf on Wednesdays?

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

The message
from "Andrew Mawson" contains
these words:

Take a normal screw and anneal it. Modern screws are hardened and so
rather brittle. Heat to a dull red and let it cool slowly, and you
will find you can bend it as you wish.

But use a hardened one in the hole first, then take it out and run the
floppy one in.

--
Skipweasel
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain.

matt wrote:
What's the most flexible type of screw, ie one that won't break when
bent? Steel and brass doesn't seem that flexible.

I have an application that needs a screw that won't sheer if bent more
than 20 degrees (the application is a bit complex to go into here!).

A thought - are there screws made from thick wire (5mm or so), as is
the case with wire nails? That would be ideal as wire nails are nice
and flexible.

Thanks

You are on a hiding to nothing. All screws will eventually fatigue if
subjected to that sort of strain.

On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 18:18:35 +0100, "Andrew Mawson"
wrote:


Take a normal screw and anneal it. Modern screws are hardened and so
rather brittle. Heat to a dull red and let it cool slowly, and you
will find you can bend it as you wish.

Does that apply to all types of screws, ie steel, brass, etc?

Thanks to everyone for the replies, most helpful. :-)

matt wrote:
What's the most flexible type of screw, ie one that won't break when
bent? Steel and brass doesn't seem that flexible.

I have an application that needs a screw that won't sheer if bent more
than 20 degrees (the application is a bit complex to go into here!).

A thought - are there screws made from thick wire (5mm or so), as is
the case with wire nails? That would be ideal as wire nails are nice
and flexible.

Thanks

I think youre getting optimsitic here. Best bet is to go for as thin a
screw as possible then soften it. The thinner the screw, the more it
can bend before snap. But a thin softened screw is going to be one
crappy screw.

Maybe tell us more about the app. Confess.


NT

"matt" wrote...
On Wed, 19 Jul 2006 18:18:35 +0100, "Andrew Mawson" wrote:


Take a normal screw and anneal it. Modern screws are hardened and so
rather brittle. Heat to a dull red and let it cool slowly, and you
will find you can bend it as you wish.

Does that apply to all types of screws, ie steel, brass, etc?

Nope, brass, copper and aluminium are the opposite to steel, heat [1] and
quench in cold water to anneal, heat and allow to cool as slow as poss' to
harden.

Hope that helps,
Dave H.
(The engineer formerly known as Homeless)

[1] - Brass and copper until dull red, aluminium and its alloys until soap
rubbed on the workpiece blackens. If you want to anneal just a part of the
workpiece (eg rifle/pistol/howitzer cartridge case mouths which need to be
soft while the rim of the case needs to be hard), stand the bit you want to
remain hardened in water, heat and tip it over into the water.