Video: The impossible screw and its strange properties
The impossible screw, as YouTuber and inventor Latheman calls it, is a trick screw that screws in but is unable to unscrew. Despite probably not having any practical applications, it presents a great opportunity for a practical joke. And it's not too hard to make. 
 
Latheman, on his YouTube channel Latheman's crazy machines, says:
 
It's a small project you can do in your home shop even if you don't have a milling machine or lathe. A hacksaw and a file will do. 
 
It also makes a nice last minute present.
 
If you try this I recommend to try it first with a brass screw. It's very important to deburr it carefully. Otherwise, it will be locked in both directions.
 
If you give this away I recommend to loctite (a German adhesive brand) a small second nut on so that the big nut cannot be moved away from the split point. It will drive anyone nuts who doesn't know the secret.
 

Have something to say? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Profile picture for user rdalheim
About the author
Robert Dalheim

Robert Dalheim is an editor at the Woodworking Network. Along with publishing online news articles, he writes feature stories for the FDMC print publication. He can be reached at [email protected].