DIN 464 high, DIN 653 low, shouldered and captive knurled screws turned from solid bar — in the lengths, threads and materials no catalog stocks. Long shanks, M12+, fine and left-hand threads, 316L and titanium.
Standard knurled thumb screws are cheap and stocked everywhere — so the honest first question is whether you need a custom one at all. Here's the line we draw before quoting:
A standard DIN 464 or DIN 653 size in M3–M10, a short shank, brass or 303 stainless. Accu, JW Winco, Fastenright and Maedler stock these — order them there, you'll have them fast and cheaper than anything made to order.
A non-standard length (long shanks), a fine, imperial or left-hand thread, a larger size (M12–M20+), a captive / panel-retained version, 316L / titanium / PEEK, a special head diameter or knurl, or a replacement for a worn screw with no size marking. Not on any shelf — that's a turning job.
Not sure which side you're on? Send the thread, length and head style. If a catalog part fits, we'll tell you to buy it — we only take the jobs that genuinely need machining.
| Type | How it works | When to choose it |
|---|---|---|
| High knurled (DIN 464) | Tall diamond-knurled head turned from bar for maximum finger grip | Higher hand-tightening torque; frequent adjustment |
| Low knurled (DIN 653) | Short flat knurled head | Tight clearances, lighter loads, low profile |
| Shouldered | Adds a locating shoulder under the head | The head seats and locates against a face |
| Captive / panel-retained | Undercut shank plus retainer keeps the screw in the clearance hole | Access panels and guards where a loose screw gets lost |
| Wing / tommy-bar | Wing head or cross-hole for a bar instead of a knurl | Higher torque by hand or with a tommy bar |
| Thumb screw + captive washer | Machined with a retained washer or shoulder | Even clamping without a separate loose washer |
Every dimension floats: thread size and pitch, shank length, head diameter and knurl are whatever the drawing says — including combinations no standard covers, like an M12×1.5 fine thread on a 60 mm shank with a 25 mm knurled head, or an imperial thread matched from your sample the same way as any replacement fastener.
| Attribute | Range |
|---|---|
| Threads | Metric coarse & fine M3–M20+, UNC/UNF, BSW/BSF, left-hand on request |
| Shank length | Short to 150 mm+, fully or partially threaded, plain pilot tips available |
| Head | High (DIN 464) or low (DIN 653) knurl, custom head diameter, straight diamond knurl, wing or tommy-bar |
| Materials | Brass, 303 / 304 / 316L stainless, titanium Grade 5, aluminum (anodized), free-cutting steel, PEEK / nylon |
| Finish | Plain, passivated, black oxide, zinc, nickel; anodized on aluminum |
| Standards referenced | DIN 464 (high knurled), DIN 653 (low knurled), matching knurled nuts DIN 466 / 467 |
| Documentation | EN 10204 3.1 material certificate and dimensional report on request |
That's a captive thumb screw: we machine an undercut shank and retainer so the screw stays in the panel when loosened. In the head style and material you want, with spares in the run — no more screws rolling under the machine.
Long shanks in a fine pitch and 316L are a routine turning job. We machine the exact length and thread with a clean diamond knurl, passivated, with a 3.1 certificate if the build needs traceability.
Send the old one. We measure the thread, length, head and knurl and reproduce it from the sample — original or upgraded material — with spares in the same run.
Matched hand hardware: knurled nuts, set screws, shoulder bolts and coupling nuts can be machined in the same material and finish, so a clamping or adjustment assembly arrives as one consistent, certified set.
Yes — that's the usual reason to machine them. Catalog thumb screws stop at short M3–M10 sizes; we turn long shanks, fine, imperial or left-hand threads and larger sizes to your exact dimensions with the knurl you specify.
A captive (panel-retained) thumb screw stays in its hole when unscrewed so it can't fall out — ideal for access panels and guards. We machine them with an undercut shank and retainer in your head style and material, including replacements from a sample.
DIN 464 is the tall head for the most grip and torque; DIN 653 is the low flat head for tight clearances and lighter loads. Shouldered adds a locating shoulder; captive keeps it in the panel. We machine all of them and advise for your grip and space.
Yes. Send the old screw. We measure thread, length, head diameter and knurl and machine new ones — same or upgraded material — plus spares. No drawing or part number needed.
One piece. No tooling charge — a single 316L thumb screw in an odd length is a normal order. Unit price falls on batches, all tiers quoted upfront.
Thread, length, head style and material — or the worn original. Engineers reply in 24h.
// Qty & price
1 pc
Sample price
Confirm fit before a run
3–50
Unit price drops
Setup cost shared
50+
Best price
All tiers quoted upfront
Long shank, odd thread, captive, 316L or titanium — machined to your print or measured from the worn original. Quote in 24 hours.