Talk:screw thread

Conversion of motion
I have removed "used to convert a rotational movement into a linear one." This is obviously not the major use of screw threads, their use on fasteners would be that. Furthermore, a screw thread by itself cannot perform this function. One needs a pair of components to do this (such as a worm and wheel or rack and pinion) only one of which possesses a screw thread and neither of which is a screw thread. Spinning Spark  09:03, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * I disagree. A screw is able to function as a fastener precisely because a screw converts a rotational movement into a linear one that redistributes the coefficient of friction across the length of the screw thread. bd2412 T 13:22, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * Ok, that may be a fair engineering argument, but is it actually a good definition? I think it only serves to confuse.  I would still maintain that two parts are needed.  I can put a screw on the end of my magnetic screwdriver and turn it as fast as I like but it will not move forward on its own.  For that I also need a threaded bore, captive nut, or piece of wood before the screw actually drives in. Spinning Spark  14:46, 28 August 2013 (UTC)
 * A fair point. I'm sure I have dozens of screws sitting idly in my toolbox with threads that will never actually be used to fasten anything together. bd2412 T 15:55, 28 August 2013 (UTC)