Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Pan head screws are the front line soldiers when it’s time to make things. Don’t believe me? They’re the only screw that wears a helmet...that’s dedication.
Flip one over and you’ll find a flat underside...the business end...that grips tight to whatever you're screwing into.Pan heads have more holding power than almost any other...second only to the more expensive washer head.And because they handle torque so well, you can crank them down tight. That makes them one of the best dollar-for-dollar fasteners in the shop.
But they’re not limited by the brim of their helmets.Add a fender washer, and you turn them into mini clamps. That wider footprint adds clamping pressure, great for brackets, jigs, and thin plywood-without crushing the surface.
Another tag you might see is “combo”...meaning they’ll take Phillips, flathead, or even square drives.It’s a jack of all trades, and just as bad at all three.The bit wobbles, the grip’s shallow, and it doesn’t take much to strip it.If you want real torque and zero slip, Torx is the apex. But most pan heads keep it simple.
The downside is also their strength:That thick, domed head sits proud...which isn’t great if you need a flush surface.It’ll snag on lids, hinges, or anything that needs to slide cleanly.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.Ben. K
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
Pan head screws are the front line soldiers when it’s time to make things. Don’t believe me? They’re the only screw that wears a helmet...that’s dedication.
Flip one over and you’ll find a flat underside...the business end...that grips tight to whatever you're screwing into.Pan heads have more holding power than almost any other...second only to the more expensive washer head.And because they handle torque so well, you can crank them down tight. That makes them one of the best dollar-for-dollar fasteners in the shop.
But they’re not limited by the brim of their helmets.Add a fender washer, and you turn them into mini clamps. That wider footprint adds clamping pressure, great for brackets, jigs, and thin plywood-without crushing the surface.
Another tag you might see is “combo”...meaning they’ll take Phillips, flathead, or even square drives.It’s a jack of all trades, and just as bad at all three.The bit wobbles, the grip’s shallow, and it doesn’t take much to strip it.If you want real torque and zero slip, Torx is the apex. But most pan heads keep it simple.
The downside is also their strength:That thick, domed head sits proud...which isn’t great if you need a flush surface.It’ll snag on lids, hinges, or anything that needs to slide cleanly.
Check out my other channel! → @makethingswithrob
Become a patron! → patreon.com/makethings ←
Huge thank you to my patrons that keep this thing going!
*MAKER TEAM*
Michelle B
Keith Current
William L McNally
Rich Lightfoot
Tutor the Barbarian
Aubrey G.
Nukebert
Sam W.
Aaron Knows DIY
G. Salazar
David B.
Marc B.
Richard B.Ben. K
Make Things
#MakeThings #mtbitesize
