nut and bolted terminology

[Web Goblin]

Socket head screws are also called Cap screws as well. I find that the biggest benefit of using them is for access with tooling. You can get to them without the need for large spaces to fit a spanner and they can be counter sunk into your job as well. Just take care when tightening them up if you are using ball-end keys. I have snapped a few of them off inside the cap screw, particularly with cheaper tooling.

Regards

Ian

[Jonathan]

...they can be counter sunk into your job as well. Just take care when tightening them up if you are using ball-end keys. I have snapped a few of them off inside the cap screw, particularly with cheaper tooling...

Counterbored surely...:whistling:
I've never snapped a ball-end key in one, but I have often had the key get rounded off and stop working. When that happens I just grind off the end of the key to make it into a standard key.
I use socket head cap screws on everything, for the reasons you gave, except where the head is too high - then it has to be button head.