3/8" UNC photo threaded pin with 5/16" hex socket

3/8" UNC photo set screw with 5/16" hex socket, the small screw with a big impact

Sometimes an inconspicuous detail decides whether your setup runs stable or whether you have to realign everything again after two minutes. This is exactly where our 3/8" UNC photo set screw with 5/16" hex socket comes in. Compact, precisely manufactured and specially designed for use in photo and video applications when you simply need a reliable set screw that does what it’s supposed to do without any fuss.

Precise 3/8" UNC thread for photo and video equipment

The set screw uses a clean 3/8" UNC thread, just like you know it from professional photography, tripods, adapters or quick-release bases. Thanks to the coarse UNC thread pitch, the screw grips securely and can still be screwed in comfortably without feeling like you’re torturing the material. The screw type is deliberately designed as a stud: no head, no frills, just a functional connecting element that disappears flush or almost flush in the material.

Stainless 18-8 steel for long-term use

For the material, we use 18-8 stainless steel. This is a stainless alloy that has proven itself in everyday use: corrosion-resistant, robust and significantly less sensitive to moisture, sweat or changing temperatures than simple steels. Especially if you’re out and about, frequently reconfiguring your studio, or taking your equipment with you in a case when you travel, this material pays off. In short: you don’t have to wonder every time whether the screw will still look good after a few months of flight cases and outdoor shoots – it can handle it.

5/16" hex socket, positive-locking installation with the right key

The set screw is driven via a 5/16" hex socket. This allows you to install it in a controlled, powerful way without damaging the outer surfaces of your accessories. Especially with precise photo components, it’s convenient when you can work cleanly with a hex key instead of prying around with improvised tools.

What’s important here: you need an imperial 5/16" hex key. A metric key simply doesn’t fit properly; it sits too loosely or not at all, which can wear out the hex socket over time. The appropriate key is not included in the scope of delivery, so please plan for it right away if you don’t already have one in your toolbox.

Right-hand thread for compatible photo mounts

The set screw has a classic right-hand thread. That sounds trivial, but it’s important in the photo sector because virtually all common tripod and accessory mounts are designed for it. You simply screw it in clockwise and out counterclockwise – no rethinking, no special solution. This way, the screw integrates seamlessly into your existing system, whether you’re mounting it in a tripod plate, an adapter or your own construction.

For clean, flush connections in your photo setup

Because the screw is headless, it is particularly suitable for connections where nothing should protrude or get in the way. Typical areas of application include:

• Securing quick-release plates or adapters to custom brackets
• Mounting photo components where a conventional screw head would be in the way
• Building your own rigs, rails or brackets where you need a stable but unobtrusive screw connection

Especially if you’ve ever struggled with wobbly adapters or poorly fitting screws, you’ll notice how pleasant it is when such a small part simply fits precisely and holds.

Note on tool selection – really use imperial sizes

We deliberately mention it twice because in practice it repeatedly causes frustration: this set screw requires a special imperial 5/16" hex key. Metric keys are not a good idea here, even if they look “more or less” right at first glance. In the long run, you’ll only ruin the hex socket or slip when tightening. So if you work a lot with imperial photo accessories, a small set of imperial hex keys is worth it – it will save you trouble and swearing later on.

In summary: unobtrusive but important connecting element

Our 3/8" UNC photo set screw with 5/16" hex socket is deliberately kept straightforward, without unnecessary extras, and that’s precisely why it’s interesting for many applications in photo and video work. Stainless 18-8 steel, precise 3/8" UNC thread, right-hand, driven via a 5/16" hex socket – sometimes that’s all it takes to make your setup reliable. And if you later expand or rebuild your system, the screw simply remains a solid, reusable component in your collection of tools and accessories.