The thumb screw is a very old torture device that first been used in ancient early modern Europe. It is simply a long, metal thumbstick, often with protruding pointed studs inside of it. The thumb screw was used to slowly crush the fingers, thumbs, or feet of victims. Though typically only used on people, this tool was also used on animals as well, crushing their feet, legs, arms, and heads.
The thumb screw and similar screws that have come from antique reproductions are usually not made of brass or steel anymore, though some may still be made of gold, nickel, copper, tin, and bronze. Instead, the screws today are mostly brass or stainless steel, though there are some available with nickel-zinc plating. Modern thumb screws are typically threaded and designed with slotted openings on each side (a process called ball drilling). These open positions allow the threads to interlock without coming into contact with each other.
There are three main types of thumb screws. There are screw types A through D, type B, and C, and type E. Type screws are the most widely-used and also the strongest. They come in a wide array of sizes, which depends largely on what type of screws needs to be used. Large-sized screws can easily be found in hardware stores and are generally expensive.
A thumb screw with a threaded end is called a fully adjustable thumb screw. It comes in different styles including fully adjustable, semi-adjustable, and fully adjustable with push button release lever. Some fully adjustable thumbs come in ergonomically design, with grooved rubber feet for comfort. The grooves prevent dirt or finger prints from settling into the grooves, making them extremely comfortable to use. Semi-adjustable thumbscrews, on the other hand, feature a trigger-like mechanism that allows users to fully adjust the level of pressure.
The third type of thumb screws are made of steel or stainless steel. These thumb screws, which are commonly found in hardware stores and come in different styles, include twist-ons, tapered, and screw-ons. All twist-ons, tapered and screw-ons, have similar features such as being able to fully adjust its length. They’re also available in different styles and sizes. Some stainless steel thumb screws have an ergonomically designed footbed, preventing your fingertips from becoming fatigued after long hours of laborious activity.
The thumb screw’s most common use is in plumbing applications, particularly in plumbing fixtures that are made of stainless steel. However, these types of screws come in different sizes, each having its own distinct style. While fully adjustable and versatile, many people favor the fully adjustable models because they allow you to fully adjust the height of the shaft. Also, while fully adjustable and versatile, many people favor the fully flexible models because they allow you to fully adjust the height of the shaft. Lastly, while zinc plated screws are hard, rust resistant and easy to maintain, they are not as versatile as other types of thumb screw.
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