304 (A2) · Nylon
Wing Screw
Wing (thumb) screws with a machine thread for hand-tight adjustment without tools.
About the Wing Screw
Wing screws, or thumb screws, are tightened and undone by hand with no tools, for covers, guards, jigs, light fittings, tripods and anything you adjust often. They come in 304 stainless (DIN 316, M5, M6 and M8, 16 to 30mm) and natural nylon (DIN 316, M5 and M6, 10 to 30mm), fully threaded with a metric coarse thread. Choose the material, size and length above; the guide below covers stainless or nylon and where they are used.
Also called thumb screws, thumb hand screws or wing bolts.
Features
- Hand-tighten wings, no tool needed
- Standard machine thread
- Fast and easy adjustment
Applications
- Furniture, light and electrical fittings
- Tripods, music stands and brackets
- Frequently-adjusted fittings
What is a thumb screw?
A thumb screw, or wing screw, is a machine screw with two flat wings in place of a head, so you can turn it with your fingers. Hobson describes wing screws, also known as thumb hand screws, as having distinctive wings that extend from the head, making them easy to tighten or remove without a tool, and designed to be easily installed and adjusted. It screws into a tapped hole, a nut or a threaded insert like any other machine screw.
Hobson lists uses such as furniture (beds, desks and chairs), electrical fittings, aerials and antennas, light fittings, tripods, music stands and brackets, and boats and bikes: anywhere a part is adjusted, opened or taken apart often.
A thumb screw is only as tight as a hand can make it, and Hobson publishes no load or torque ratings for these screws. Do not use them for structural, load-bearing or safety jobs such as trailers, tow fittings or anything lifted or hung overhead: those need a rated fastener tightened with a tool, or an engineer's specification.
Stainless steel or nylon thumb screws?
- 304 stainless steel (DIN 316, A2), M5 to M8: Hobson says it is designed to resist rust and corrosion. 304 stainless is a much stronger material than nylon: the choice for metal fittings, outdoor gear and anything handled a lot.
- Natural nylon (DIN 316), M5 and M6: Hobson says nylon is lighter, offers high wear resistance and is designed to resist rust and corrosion. Hobson's standard nylon is PA6.6 polyamide, which its nylon properties sheet gives a working temperature of -30 to +100°C. Nylon does not conduct electricity, so it suits electrical and electronic fittings.
- Nylon outdoors and in the wet: Hobson notes nylon absorbs moisture from its surroundings, which lowers its strength and stiffness, and that outdoor weathering is improved by adding carbon black. These are natural (uncoloured) nylon, so they suit indoor and sheltered use better than full sun.
- Near the sea: 304 resists rust in most outdoor settings, but Hobson's corrosion guide gives 304 or 316 stainless in seaspray zones and 316 within 2m of a pool edge; we would choose 316 near the sea, and even 316 can corrode where salt is left to build up. Our wing screws are 304 stainless or nylon, with no 316, so they are not the choice within 2m of a pool. Near the sea, rinse them.
Thumb screw sizes
Every thumb screw we carry. The size is the metric thread (M6 fits an M6 nut or tapped hole) and the length is the threaded shank under the wings. Select a row to open it in the selector, then pick the length.
Wing screws to DIN 316, metric coarse thread, fully threaded. Lengths in mm. Overall width (W) is across the wings, from Hobson's 304 sheet; Hobson gives the 304 nut height (T) as 4.0mm for M5, 5.0mm for M6 and 6.5mm for M8. Pack is the minimum order quantity. Tap a number to show it in the selector above.
Fitting thumb screws
- Match the thread: M5, M6 or M8 metric coarse, to the nut, tapped hole or insert. Our wing nuts and rivet nuts come in the same sizes.
- Choose a length that engages the full nut or a good depth of thread, without bottoming out in a blind hole.
- Add a washer under the wings on soft or painted surfaces; a nylon washer protects a finish.
- Tighten by hand only. Do not use pliers or a spanner on the wings, especially the nylon ones.
Thumb screws in Adelaide
Allmat supplies thumb screws, wing nuts, machine screws and washers to shopfitters, electricians, fabricators and trade across Adelaide and South Australia. Add them to a quote with the rest of your list, and we will price the lot.
Thumb screws for the job
Stainless and nylon thumb screws, with the wing nuts, nuts and washers to go with them, are available to order from Allmat for shopfitters, electricians, fabricators, builders and trade across Adelaide and South Australia. Order through Allmat, we pick and pack it, then click and collect from the Allmat yard or have it delivered to site.
Goes with
Questions
What is the difference between a thumb screw and a wing screw?
They are the same thing. Hobson calls them wing screws and notes they are also known as thumb hand screws: a machine screw with wings in place of a head, for tightening and removing by hand without a tool.
Are thumb screws stainless or nylon?
We carry both: 304 stainless in M5, M6 and M8 from 16 to 30mm long, and natural nylon in M5 and M6 from 10 to 30mm. 304 stainless is a much stronger material than nylon and suits outdoor gear; nylon is lighter, non-conductive and suits electrical and light fittings.
What are thumb screws used for?
Anything adjusted or taken apart often. Hobson lists furniture, electrical and light fittings, aerials and antennas, tripods, music stands and brackets, and boats and bikes.
Can I use a thumb screw on a trailer or for a load?
No. Thumb screws are hand-tightened and Hobson publishes no load or torque ratings for them. Use a rated bolt and nut tightened with a tool, or follow an engineer's specification.
What thread is on your thumb screws?
Metric coarse, fully threaded: M5 x 0.80, M6 x 1.00 and M8 x 1.25. They fit standard metric nuts, wing nuts, tapped holes and rivet nuts of the same size.
How are thumb screws sold?
In packs: 50 for 304 M5 and M6, 25 for 304 M8, 100 for nylon M5 and 50 for nylon M6. The pack is the minimum order quantity.
Where can I buy thumb screws in Adelaide?
Order through Allmat. Order ahead by phone on 1300 03 03 63 or send your list for a quote, then click and collect from 25 Kapara Road, Gillman, or have them delivered to site.
Wing Screw: sizes and finishes we supply
18 lines by type and finish. Pick one above for its product code and pack sizes.
| Head | Finish | Sizes | Lengths | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wing | 304 Stainless | M5, M6, M8 | 16, 20, 25, 30 | 9 |
| Wing | Nylon Natural | M5, M6 | 10, 16, 20, 25, 30 | 9 |
Data sheets and documents
The documents for the product you choose are listed with the selector above. Here is every Wing Screw document from Hobson Engineering.
All Wing Screw documents (9)
Data sheets and technical data (4)
Did You Know flyers (2)
Need them in bulk?
Add the sizes you need to your quote, or send us your list and we’ll price the lot and supply it with the rest of your order.
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