1/4" UNC photo threaded pin with 3/16" hex socket

1/4" UNC photo set screw with 3/16" hex socket, small but indispensable in the studio

It’s easy to overlook until you urgently need it: this 1/4" UNC photo set screw with 3/16" hex socket is exactly that kind of part. Unspectacular at first glance, but suddenly absolutely crucial in the photo studio, on the rig, or on the go with your camera gear when you need to securely fasten an adapter, a plate, or an accessory.

Precision set screw for photo and video applications

The screw type is a classic set screw, i.e. a cylindrical, headless threaded pin as is constantly used in photography and video technology. The thread is made in the common 1/4" UNC photo format with a right-hand thread, just as you know it from most tripods, quick-release plates, and accessories. This means the screw fits a wide range of photo threads, from camera plates and mounts to special clamps.

The UNC thread ensures a clean, defined connection and is particularly useful when you want to join components permanently or at least for a longer period of time without a protruding screw head getting in the way. Especially with flat plates or tight-fitting rigs, such a set screw is often the most elegant solution.

Robust material: 18-8 stainless steel for continuous use

The set screw is made of 18-8 stainless steel. This means high corrosion resistance, solid stability, and a surface that does not immediately show flash rust or unsightly marks even after many uses. Whether you are working in the studio, outside in changeable weather, or in a damp rehearsal room for a video project, the screw is designed for durability.

We’d say: once installed, you can practically forget about it in everyday use because it simply does its job. No soft, cheap metal that deforms the first time you tighten it firmly, but a material that matches professional equipment.

3/16" hex socket, precise tightening instead of fumbling

The set screw is tightened via a 3/16" hex socket. This gives you very controlled power transmission so you can screw it in cleanly and without slipping. This is especially helpful when the screw sits in a recess or is barely accessible from the outside.

Important, and this often gets overlooked in everyday use: you need an imperial hex key in size 3/16" for this. A standard metric hex key does not really fit, even if at first glance it seems to be “almost” right. The appropriate key is not included, so please plan for this directly so you don’t find yourself standing in front of the tripod surprised when you unpack it.

In short: with the correct 3/16" hex key, the set screw sits quickly, play-free, and securely in the 1/4" UNC thread—no wobble, no fiddling.

Ideal for mounting photo accessories, plates, and adapters

The 1/4" UNC photo set screw is particularly useful when you want to permanently couple two components with a 1/4" connection: for example, a quick-release plate with a special mount, a camera cage with an additional rail, or a small accessory with a tripod adapter. Instead of a standard screw with a head, you use this screw, which disappears flush or almost flush into the material.

Especially in setups where you frequently reconfigure things but want certain connections to remain stable, such a set screw is worth its weight in gold. You screw it in once and then only use the quick-release mechanism or other mounting points, without having to undo the base connection every time.

Key details at a glance

So you have everything at a glance, here are the essential technical features in a concise form:

The item is a set screw made of 18-8 stainless steel, equipped with a 1/4" UNC right-hand thread. It is driven via a 3/16" hex socket, for which an imperial hex key is required and not included. Thanks to the combination of stainless material, precise 1/4" UNC photo thread, and hex socket drive, the screw is ideally suited for photo and video applications where a reliable, unobtrusive connection is required.

And yes, it sounds like a small part, but anyone who has realized in the middle of setup that this exact type of set screw is missing knows how quickly “just a screw” can turn into a real bottleneck in the workflow.

Note on using the hex socket

Finally, once again very clearly, because this is often overlooked in everyday use: for this set screw you need a special, imperial hex key in size 3/16". Metric keys sometimes seem to fit, but they can damage the hex socket or slip when tightening. So if you want to work cleanly and reliably, have the correct key ready from the start—then assembly will go smoothly and without unpleasant surprises.