hand screw

[ hand skroo ]

noun

1. a screw that can be tightened by the fingers, without the aid of a tool.
2. Also called hand-screw clamp. Carpentry. a clamp having two wooden jaws that are adjusted by two long screws.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hand screw¹

First recorded in 1755–65

Example Sentences

The main valves are connected by a right and left hand screw, to enable their adjustment, as are also the cut-off valves.

From Project Gutenberg

Contact is thus made between the upper binding screw and the left-hand screw.

From Project Gutenberg

The halved lap joint is easily clamped up with a common hand screw, even when the frame is a very large one.

From Project Gutenberg

A hand screw or vise should be opened to almost the distance required.

From Project Gutenberg

The back of the copying-frame, showing the hand-screw and pressure-board.

From Project Gutenberg