1/4/2021 Shoulder Screw Selection Guide | Custom Precision Fasteners

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Shoulder Screw Buyers Guide

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Shoulder Screws, also known as Shoulder Bolts and Stripper Bolts, are machine
screws with an integral shoulder or journal between the head and the thread. Although
they are not readily available in your local hardware or “Big Box” store, shoulder screws
are used extensively in industry because of their versatility and unique attributes when
installed. They can be found in a vast array of applications from aerospace to toys.
(Fig. 1)

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Bearings can be mounted on the shoulder to create simple cam followers.

Components such as pulleys, gears and sprockets will rotate on the shoulder at
moderate speeds. Springs are used on the shoulder to preload components traveling
axially along the length of the shoulder. The screws are used as axles for rolling parts,
as pivot points, as mounting pins and as guides in sliding elements.

There are two basic shoulder screw categories: “Commercial Grade” and “Precision
Grade”. Precision grade shoulder screws differ from commercial grade in that they
have tighter shoulder diameter and shoulder length tolerances and are ideal for use
with ball bearings and other precision components. Both grades of shoulder screws are
available in inch and metric sizes.

The shoulder screw is comprised of three main features: The “head” which is the
largest diameter, the “shoulder” which is described by its diameter and length and the
“thread” whose major diameter must be slightly smaller than the shoulder diameter.

When the thread of the shoulder screw is fully installed, the unthreaded portion
extends beyond the thread and creates a journal (Fig. 2). This journal is fully functional
as a shaft or dowel for rotating items such as bearings and bushings as well as for
sliding applications such as punch and die pins.

When mounting ball bearings, proper shoulder length and tolerances permit the screw
to fix the inner race of the ball bearing and prevent it from rotating while still allowing
the outer race to spin freely; thus creating a simple cam follower (Fig. 3). Shoulder
screws can also be used to create a pivot point as in the case of a ratchet and pawl
assembly (Fig. 4).

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In addition, compression springs and sliding components can be mounted on the

shoulder to allow axial motion. The sliding component is captured on the shoulder
between the head of the screw and the mounting surface.

Unlike most machine screws, which are specified by thread size and thread length,
shoulder screws are specified by shoulder diameter and then by shoulder length.
Whereas a 1/4” x 1” machine screw describes a 1/4” diameter thread and 1” long
under the head, a 1/4” x 1” shoulder screw will have a shoulder diameter of 1/4” and a
shoulder length that is 1” long. The overall length of the shoulder screw will include
the head height, the 1” shoulder length and the thread length.

A wide range of shoulder diameters are available and each diameter is available in a
range of shoulder lengths. Both inch and metric sizes are produced as standards.
Custom or made to order screws are offered by a variety of manufacturers.
Materials include but are not limited to hardened alloy steel, mild steel, 300 series
stainless steels, pre-heat treated 416 stainless steel, 17-4 hardened stainless steel,
brass and plastics.

Standard shoulder screws are offered with pre-selected thread sizes but any thread
size can be made to order. The one limiting factor to the thread size is that the thread
major diameter must not exceed the shoulder diameter. This is necessary to allow
components to pass over the thread and slide onto the shoulder.

Precision versus Commercial

Prior to the 1950’s the only standard shoulder screws available were made of hardened
alloy steel and supplied with a hex socket drive. The smallest shoulder diameter was
one quarter inch. The engineering standard for these shoulder screws is detailed in
ASME B18.3 for inch sizes and ASME B18.3.3M for metric sizes.

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To the best of my knowledge, sometime in the early 50’s, a small company, which has
long since gone out of business, introduced a limited range of shoulder screws made
from 303 stainless steel. This new line of shoulder screws was made to tighter
tolerances on the shoulder diameter and shoulder length. At first, only 1/8”, 3/16” and
1/4” shoulder diameters were offered and the complete range included only 27 sizes
and they were available only as slotted drives.

To distinguish this new range of screws from the industry standard alloy steel screws,
they were marketed as “Precision Shoulder Screws”. By inference, the industry
standard alloy screws began to be referred to as “Commercial Grade”. These
classifications persist today and express the basic differences between the two grades.
(See the comparison chart on page 4)

Over the years, the range of sizes offered in precision grade shoulder screws has
expanded considerably. Both smaller and larger shoulder diameters and their
associated range of shoulder lengths have been added. Standard precision grade
shoulder screws are available in diameters from 1/8” to ½” diameter. Just a few years
ago, a standard selection of “miniature” shoulder screws were made available. These
have a 3/32” shoulder diameter and lengths from 3/32” to 1/2”. A limited list of
standard “low head” shoulder screws is also available. Both can be found at
www.ondrives.us/precision-fasteners/shoulder-screws.

Other drive types such as hex socket drives and cross recess (Phillips) drives have
become available as standards. The tolerance standards first created by the original
manufacturer still persist although there is no established standard for precision grade
shoulder screws by a recognized standards organization. A complete list of available
standard, precision grade shoulder screws can be found at
www.ondrives.us/precision-fasteners/shoulder-screws.

The following chart provides the major differences in the two classifications:

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TERMINOLOGY AND FEATURES:

Stripper Bolts:
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This is a term often used to specify shoulder screws when used in punch and die
mechanisms or plastic injection mold sets. The screws act as linear slides to accurately
align the die or mold halves as they open or close.

Drive Types:

Commercial grade, alloy steel shoulder screws are supplied almost exclusively with Hex
Socket drives. Precision grade shoulder screws are readily available in Slotted drive
and Hex Socket drive and to a lesser degree, in Phillips drive. Torx drive, Star drive,
Tamper Proof drives, Square Head drive or Hex Head drives can also be supplied. (Fig.
6)

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