While other screw designs have been around for a long time now, the flat head screw has never lost its utility. It’s one of the first types of screws ever patented, and while it may be overshadowed by more sophisticated designs like Phillips heads, square-drive heads, and pozi drives, it’s still the go-to tool for many fastening tasks.
Whether you’re working with wood or metal, flat head screws get used in all sorts of construction projects, including hanging drywall, mounting door hinges, and installing cabinets. They are particularly popular with woodworkers and can be found on cabinet doors, drawer fronts, bookcases, and tables. They usually have a cone shaped depression, called a countersink, that allows them to be covered with wood putty and sanded smooth.
The flat head can also be raised a bit to create a pan head style, which has a larger bearing surface than oval or flat heads. This enables the screw to be driven deeper into the device yoke, giving it more clamping power.
Another variation is the bugle head, which has a more curved neck that helps sink the screw into drywall without tearing the surface. Finally, you can also find screw varieties with a serrated head that distributes the clamping force over a wider area of the head, making it more effective for holding things in place. Flat Head Screw