Wing Screws

Wing Screws (Thumb Screws) for Australian Hand-Tightened Fastening

Wing screws (also called thumb screws) are screws with two protruding "wings" or a thumb-grip head that allows finger tightening without tools — the screw equivalent of wing nuts. They're the right fastener for applications requiring frequent disassembly, adjustability, or tool-free service access. For Australian trade, manufacturing, and equipment service applications where threaded fasteners need to come apart regularly, wing screws deliver convenience that standard machine screws can't match. AIMS Industrial supplies wing screws in metric and imperial sizes from Hobson, Bremick, and approved brands.

The wing screw types we stock

• Standard wing screws (DIN 316) — the everyday wing screw with two horizontal wings on a threaded shaft
• Knurled-head thumb screws — alternative head style with knurled gripping surface instead of wings
• Heavy-duty wing screws — larger wings and reinforced construction for higher torque hand-tightening
• Combination wing/Phillips screws — wings for hand tightening plus Phillips drive for final tightening with a screwdriver if needed
• Locking wing screws — with built-in locking features for vibration-resistant hand fastening

Materials and finishes

• Zinc-plated steel — the everyday choice for indoor applications
• Stainless steel 304 — for general corrosion-resistant applications
• Stainless steel 316 — for marine, food-grade, and aggressive corrosive environments
• Brass — for non-magnetic, decorative, and electrical applications
• Hot-dip galvanised steel — for outdoor and corrosive industrial environments

Where wing screws earn their place

• Equipment access panels — covers and inspection panels requiring frequent removal
• Adjustable mechanical assemblies — adjustable mounts, brackets, and positioning fixtures
• Photographic and instrument mounts — quick-adjust mounting points
• Music equipment — instrument hardware requiring tool-free adjustment
• Filter and service housings — components where filter changes are routine
• Workshop tooling and fixtures — quick-change tooling and adjustable jigs
• Marine equipment — stainless wing screws for tool-free service access on boats

Wing screws versus wing nuts

• Wing screws — threaded shaft with wing head; mate with tapped holes or wing nuts
• Wing nuts — threaded nut with wings; mate with bolts or studs. See our wing nuts

Wing screws are typically used where the threaded substrate is fixed (a tapped hole in the equipment) and the screw is removable. Wing nuts are typically used where the threaded shaft is fixed (a stud or bolt) and the nut is removable. Choose based on which side of the assembly is fixed.

Combination wing/Phillips screws

Some wing screws have a combination head — wings for hand tightening, plus a Phillips drive for final tightening or for situations where extra torque is needed. The combination head is useful for applications that are normally hand-tightened but occasionally need tool-tightening for security or vibration resistance.

Sizing

Wing screws come in metric and imperial sizes:

• Metric — M3, M4, M5, M6, M8, M10 are the most common
• Imperial — #6, #8, #10, 1/4 inch, 5/16 inch, 3/8 inch
• Length — typically 6mm through 50mm; longer lengths available on order

Brands stocked at AIMS

Hobson and Bremick cover the wing screw range across the standard sizes, materials, and finishes. For specialty wing screws (large sizes, specific OEM patterns), sourcing through our distribution channels covers most options.

Companion ranges at AIMS

Wing screws sit alongside our broader fastener range — see wing nuts, screw assemblies, socket countersunk screws, and safety washers for the related products.

Need help speccing wing screws for tool-free assembly or specific application? contact our team — we'll match by thread size, length, material, and pack quantity.