How it connects
Mates via mechanical contact and friction as a matching male 8-point star driver bit is inserted axially into the 8-point recess to transfer rotational torque while virtually eliminating cam-out.
Male and female halves
Female internal drive recess on the screw head; mates with an external male 8-point SpiderDrive bit.
Usually connects to
- Matching FastenMaster SpiderDrive male bit, including 1/4 in hex-shank power bits
Common sizes
- One proprietary Spider #3 / FMSPIDER size for FastenMaster HeadLOK, approximately 5 mm across lobes and 2 mm deep.
Where it is used
timber constructionresidential framingdeck framingstructural wood fasteningstructural insulated panels (SIPs)residential constructionlog homes
Variations
- SpiderDrive bit (male power impact bit, 2-inch or 3-inch length, 1/4-inch hex shank)
- HeadLOK flathead structural wood screw recess (female)
- Spider #3
How to recognise it
Recognized on the fastener head as an internal recess with 8 symmetrical rounded lobes / points arranged in a star pattern (diameter approx. 5 mm).
Often confused with
| Confused with | How to tell them apart |
|---|---|
| Torx / Star Drive (6-point) | Torx / Star drive has 6 lobes / points; SpiderDrive has 8 distinct lobes / points. |
| Double Square / 8-point square drive | Double square features sharp 90-degree intersecting square geometry; SpiderDrive features rounded lobes resembling an 8-pointed star pattern. Double square consists of two overlapping 4-point squares with straight flats, whereas SpiderDrive has rounded, radiused lobes. |
| Triple Square / XZN (12-point) | Triple Square has 12 sharp 90-degree points, while SpiderDrive has 8 rounded lobes. |
Also called
HeadLOK SpiderDriveFastenMaster Spider Drive8-point star drive recessHeadLOK 8-point drive
Good to know
FastenMaster developed SpiderDrive specifically for their HeadLOK heavy-duty flathead wood screws to prevent cam-out and strip-outs during high-torque structural driving.
Related connections
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