What's so special about pan screws?!

[adam01]

I am installing a new toilet pan and cistern. All fairly straight forward ( oh no what have I said!) 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.

[cyberhonky]

I am installing a new toilet pan and cistern. All fairly straight forward ( oh no what have I said!) 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.

google it

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

[joe greiner]

google it

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

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

[China]

In my experience most times the screws ar dispenced with altogether

[scooter]

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

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.

[SilentButDeadly]

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

[atregent]

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?

[pharmaboy2]

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

[peter_sm]

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

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.