M2.5 x 8mm Pan Head Philips Stainless Screw (qty x10)

These are M2.5 screws with an 8 mm shank, a low pan head and a Phillips recess, made from stainless steel. You get ten in a bag. Blue Alpine catalogs them as part F00130-00, and we stock them so a lost or chewed-up screw doesn’t hold up a repair.

What’s in this pack of M2.5 screws

• 10 x M2.5 screws, 8 mm long
• Pan head with Phillips drive
• Stainless steel
• Metric coarse thread, 0.45 mm pitch
• Blue Alpine part number F00130-00

The price is $2.50 for the pack. Small screws go missing easily during a repair, so having a few spare in the drawer isn’t a bad idea.

How to tell if M2.5 screws are the right size

Metric screws are named by their major diameter in millimeters, so an M2.5 thread measures about 2.5 mm across the outside of the threads. The standard pitch for this size is 0.45 mm, meaning the thread advances 0.45 mm per turn. If you have a set of calipers, measure the old screw across the threads and you’ll quickly see if it’s M2.5, M3 or an imperial size.

Length is the other number to check. On a pan head screw it’s measured from the underside of the head to the tip, so the head itself isn’t counted. These measure 8 mm on that basis. If your old screw is noticeably shorter, look at the 6 mm version further down this page instead.

If you’d like more background on how metric threads are specified, the ISO metric screw thread article covers diameters and pitches in detail.

M2.5 x 8 mm or M2.5 x 6 mm?

We sell both lengths, and they look almost identical in a photo. The 8 mm screw has an extra 2 mm of thread, which matters when the screw has to pass through a thicker part before it reaches the threads it’s going into. Too long and it can bottom out in a blind hole or a standoff. Too short and you only catch a turn or two, which won’t hold. When in doubt, hold the new screw next to the old one before you install it.

Fitting tips

Pan head M2.5 screws usually take a PH1 Phillips driver. A PH2 is too big and will sit on top of the recess instead of in it, and a PH0 tends to slip. Use the right bit and keep firm, straight pressure, because small Phillips heads cam out easily once they start to round off.

Go easy on the tightening. M2.5 screws don’t need much torque, and it’s easy to strip the threads in a soft standoff or crack a plastic part if you lean on it. Snug it up, then stop.

Stainless threaded into stainless can gall, which is when the threads lock up partway in. Turning slowly helps, and so does a drop of low-strength (purple) threadlocker if the screw sits somewhere that vibrates. Skip the stronger grades on screws this small, because you’ll want to get them out again someday.

Why stainless steel for M2.5 screws

A freeze dryer spends a lot of its life with water around it. Ice builds up during a cycle and melts off again when you defrost, and that moisture finds its way into corners. Stainless steel holds up much better in damp conditions than plain zinc-plated steel, which can start to rust and leave you with a screw that’s hard to remove. For a part that costs a few cents each, stainless is the sensible choice.

M2.5 is also one of the most common thread sizes for circuit board hardware in general. That’s one reason these M2.5 screws pair so often with brass standoffs like the ones above. If you’re working on electronics, our buffer PCB board and the rest of the electronics parts are listed separately.

Common questions

Are these metric or imperial?

Metric. If your old screw is a #2 or #4 machine screw, these M2.5 screws won’t thread into the same hole properly, even though the sizes are close.

Can I buy single M2.5 screws?

They’re sold in packs of ten. At $2.50 a pack, you’ll have spares for next time.

I’m not sure which screw I need

Send us the part number from your manual, or a clear photo of the old screw next to a ruler, through our contact page. You can also call us on +1 (443) 514-5708. You’ll find the other sizes in fasteners and tools.