Worm drives are used as the tuning mechanism for many musical instruments, including guitars, double basses, mandolins, bouzoukis, and many banjos (although most high-end banjos use planetary gears or friction pegs). A worm drive tuning device is called a machine head.

What is a worm and worm wheel used for?

In order to transmit motion and power at various speeds and speed ratios, worms and worm gears work in sets, rotating on shafts at right angles to one another. The worm usually drives the worm gear. In worms and worm gear sets, both the worm and worm gear are of the same hand.

When should I use worm gears?

Worm gears are power-transmission components primarily used as high-ratio reductions to change the direction of shaft rotation and to decrease speed and increase torque between non-parallel rotating shafts. They are used on shafts with non-intersecting, perpendicular axes.