Robyn Buck
Spanner head screws are a type of tamper-resistant fastener designed to prevent theft and vandalism. They feature a two-holed or snake eye design that requires a special spanner drill bit to install and remove. Spanner screws are commonly used in public spaces and applications where security is a priority, such as gutters, license plates, grills, outdoor signs, and food preparation areas. They are also used in schools, public restrooms, municipal properties, and even license plates to deter theft and vandalism. Spanner screws offer enhanced security compared to standard screws, as they require a unique tool for installation and removal, making them more difficult to tamper with.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Uses | Gutters, license plates, grills, outdoor signs, food prep areas, elevators, boats, public spaces, gutters, bathroom fixtures, grills on vehicles |
| Drive Style | Spanner (Snake Eye) |
| Screw Head Style | Pan Head, Flat Head, Round Head, Button Head |
| Screw Material | 18-8 Stainless Steel |
| Screw Thread | #6-32, #8-15, #10-32, #12-24, #14-14 |
What You'll Learn
Spanner screw applications
Spanner screws are a type of tamper-resistant fastener designed to prevent theft and vandalism. They are commonly used in public spaces and design-forward products, thanks to their ability to deter unwanted removal.
Schools and Public Restrooms
Spanner screws are often used in universities, public schools, and restrooms to prevent vandalism and theft. Students are unlikely to have the specialised spanner screwdrivers required to remove these screws, making it more difficult for them to tamper with fixtures in bathrooms, playgrounds, and furniture.
Municipal Property
Spanner screws are a popular choice for securing outdoor municipal property, such as benches, playground equipment, utility hole covers, and street signs. They help prevent tampering and theft, ensuring that these fixtures remain intact and in place.
License Plates
Spanner screws can be used to secure license plates on vehicles, adding a level of security to prevent petty theft. They also enhance the appearance of sports cars, offering a nice detail to the vehicle's exterior.
Specialized Equipment
Spanner screws are commonly found in specialised equipment, including household appliances, electronics, and industrial machinery. They help prevent unauthorised access, ensuring that only individuals with the correct tools can perform maintenance or repairs.
Museum Exhibit Cases
Spanner screws are recommended by the National Parks Service for museum exhibit cases. They provide a secure way to fasten doors and control panels, protecting artifacts while still allowing authorised access for maintenance.
Scaffolding
In the construction industry, spanner screws play a crucial role in ensuring the stability and safety of scaffolding. Their tamper-resistant nature helps prevent unauthorised tampering, reducing the risk of accidents on job sites.
Gutters, Grills, and Food Prep Areas
Spanner screws are ideal for use in gutters, grills, and food prep areas, providing strong tamper resistance. Their unique design makes it difficult for unauthorised individuals to access and interfere with these areas, enhancing security and hygiene.
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Spanner screw variations
Spanner screws are a type of tamper-resistant fastener designed to prevent theft and vandalism. They feature a unique head shape, commonly referred to as "snake eyes" or "pig nose", with two, three, or slotted holes. These holes require a special spanner drill bit with protruding pins to install and remove the screws. The rarity of the corresponding drill bit makes spanner screws ideal for securing public spaces and preventing unauthorised access.
Spanner screws are commonly used in schools, public restrooms, municipal properties, license plates, and museum exhibit cases. They are also used in specialised equipment and scaffolding to prevent unauthorised tampering.
Spanner screws are available in two variations: flat head and pan head. Flat head spanner screws are countersunk, sitting flush against the surface after installation, making them popular for woodworking as they do not protrude from the wood. On the other hand, pan head spanner screws are the most common form of round head screws, often used in machinery.
To enhance security, it is recommended to use multiple types of security screws, ensuring screw heads are flush with the surface, and securely storing the specialised drill bits. Finer screw threads can also increase security by lengthening the removal process.
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Spanner screw security
The security provided by spanner screws lies in the rarity of the matching spanner drill bit. While they are commercially available, they are not commonly found in everyday toolboxes, making it less likely that potential thieves or vandals will have access to the required tool. This makes spanner screws a good choice for securing public spaces, such as schools, restrooms, and municipal properties. Additionally, the distinct appearance of spanner screws can enhance the overall design of a product.
To further enhance the security provided by spanner screws, there are several practices that can be implemented:
- Using multiple types of security screws: Combining different shaped screw heads with spanner screws can increase security by making it even more difficult for thieves or vandals to have the proper tools.
- Ensuring screw heads are flush: Spanner screws can be removed with pliers if they are not installed properly. It is important to ensure that the screws are installed flush against the surface and, if possible, use a recessed design to make it harder to grip the screw head.
- Securing specialised drill bits: Treat the spanner drill bit like a key and store it in a secure location to prevent unauthorised access.
- Using screws with fine threads: Finer threads take longer to work through wood, increasing the time and effort required for removal, thus deterring tampering.
Spanner screws are an effective way to enhance security and prevent unauthorised access. By understanding their unique features and following best practices, you can maximise the security of your valuables and assets.
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Spanner screw sizes
Spanner screws are a type of tamper-resistant fastener designed to prevent theft and vandalism. They feature a unique head shape, commonly referred to as "snake eyes" or "pig nose", with two rounded holes that require a special spanner drill bit to install and remove. The uncommon design of the spanner screw head makes it more difficult for thieves or vandals to remove without the proper tools.
Spanner screws are commonly used in public spaces and applications where security is a priority. They are ideal for securing gutters, license plates, grills, outdoor signs, and food preparation areas. Additionally, spanner screws are often used in schools, public restrooms, municipal properties, and even museum exhibit cases to deter tampering and vandalism.
When purchasing spanner screws, it is important to consider the material and finish. Spanner screws made from 18-8 stainless steel, which contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, offer excellent corrosion and rust resistance, making them suitable for outdoor environments. For enhanced security, look for spanner screws with a flat head design, which minimizes tampering by making the screws difficult to remove once installed.
Spanner screws are available in various sizes and measurements, including metric and imperial options. When selecting spanner screws, ensure that you choose the appropriate size and type for your specific application. Additionally, consider purchasing matching spanner drill bits to install and remove the screws effectively.
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Spanner screw materials
Spanner head screws are typically made from stainless steel, which is an iron alloy with at least 10.5% chromium. This composition provides excellent corrosion resistance, making it perfect for outdoor, marine, and coastal applications.
The designation 18-8 stainless steel, also known as type 304, is commonly used for spanner screws. It contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel, providing improved durability and corrosion resistance. This type of stainless steel is suitable for harsh conditions and is often used in security applications to prevent tampering and theft.
Other materials used for screws include carbon steel, brass, copper, aluminium, titanium, and plastic. Carbon steel screws are strong and sturdy, making them suitable for construction and woodworking. Brass screws, made from copper and zinc, offer corrosion resistance and are often used for decorative projects. Copper screws provide excellent electrical conductivity, making them ideal for electrical applications. Aluminium screws are lightweight and corrosion-resistant, commonly used in the electronics, automotive, and aerospace industries. Titanium screws offer a blend of strength and lightness, while plastic screws are non-conductive and suitable for electrical applications.
In addition to the screw material, coatings can be applied to enhance certain properties. For example, zinc coating provides corrosion protection, while ceramic coating offers superior corrosion and industrial environment resistance. Nickel plating combines decoration with corrosion resistance.
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Frequently asked questions
There are two types of spanner head screws: flat head and pan head. Flat head screws are countersunk, meaning they sit flush against the surface they are installed on. Pan head screws, on the other hand, are round head screws that are commonly used in machinery.
Spanner head screws are typically used to prevent tampering and vandalism as they require a specific screwdriver for insertion and removal. They are often used in public spaces such as schools, restrooms, and on municipal properties like benches and street signs.
Spanner head screws are usually made of high-grade stainless steel, specifically 18-8 stainless steel, which contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. This composition makes them highly corrosion-resistant and ideal for outdoor use.
Spanner head screw sizes are typically designated by a number and a letter, such as "#6-32" or "#10-32". The number refers to the diameter of the screw thread, while the letter indicates the thread type. For example, "NC" refers to a National Coarse thread, while "NF" stands for National Fine thread.
