What's so special about pan screws?!

I am installing a new toilet pan and cistern. All fairly straight forward ( oh no what have I said!):doh: Anyway, I'm going to use the silicone and pan screw method of fixing to the floor and of course "pan screws are not included".
So what the bugger is a pan screw. Is it just a stainless steel screw with ideas above its station? Does it have a built in device to tell you that you're about to overtighten and crack your porcelain? Or is it just a plain old screw that just happens to fit in the hole.
Confused but hopeful..... I await the enlightening answers.

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Originally Posted by adam01

I am installing a new toilet pan and cistern. All fairly straight forward ( oh no what have I said!):doh: Anyway, I'm going to use the silicone and pan screw method of fixing to the floor and of course "pan screws are not included".
So what the bugger is a pan screw. Is it just a stainless steel screw with ideas above its station? Does it have a built in device to tell you that you're about to overtighten and crack your porcelain? Or is it just a plain old screw that just happens to fit in the hole.
Confused but hopeful..... I await the enlightening answers.

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google it:wink:

its a rounded head- as opposed to a countersink/hex head etc

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Originally Posted by cyberhonky

google it:wink:

its a rounded head- as opposed to a countersink/hex head etc

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Maybe; maybe not. A pan-head screw is like a round-head, but has a flat spot across the top; edge radius about half the head thickness. BUT, can be available with machine threads or self-tapping (e.g. for sheet metal). I'd recommend asking the source of the pan to verify you get the right parts.

Joe

In my experience most times the screws ar dispenced with altogether

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Originally Posted by adam01

... So what the bugger is a pan screw. Is it just a stainless steel screw with ideas above its station?

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Pan head screws are off the topic here.

Pan screws are simply brass or S/S screws used to fix the pan down to the floor or mortar bed.

Sometimes have plastic sleeves so as to bear softer on the porcelain pan.

Your local plumbers supplies place like Reece or Tradelink will be able to sell you a pack....

I was just about to post a similar question in the plumbing forum, but i may as well ask on the back of this one.

I've got a plumber coming on friday to install a new loo which calls for a specific Caroma fixing kit. No one has them in stock, but can order one in for me, but I wouldn't get it till next week.

So, will any old screws do to hold it down until I get the proper kit?

lol scooter - thinking the same things - pan screws are screws that hold down the "pan' - pan head are entirely different!

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Originally Posted by pharmaboy2

lol scooter - thinking the same things - pan screws are screws that hold down the "pan' - pan head are entirely different!

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Bingo.

'Pan screws' are of a size big enough to hold a pan down. Plumbers supplies have them in stainless and brass in a couple of different lengths. Cost about $4 for 4 screws.

If you go to a nut/ bolt/ screw supplier and ask for pan screws, they will be assuming 'pan head', and will ask you the size, which you may not know.