Everything about Wood-working Screws

Screws are one of the most important items in terms of design and architecture. Woodworking screws are most important as they work as metal fasteners. Nails, too, are there, but screws hold a larger benefit and have better technology. The screws are strong; hence they remain attached longer and hold the pieces better than nails. Additionally, the screws are easier to remove in case the pieces need to be rearranged or dismantled. In this article, we will be discussing everything about Wood-working screws, and at the end, we have also provided a Wood Screw size chart that would help you better understand wood screws.

What are Wood screws?

If you have the basic idea of screws and their usage, you would know that each screw has three different parts; the head, the shank, and a thread. Each of the portions of the screw is quite scientifically and logically important for the correct handling of the screw. As discussed earlier, there are several types of screws with different threads. In this section, we will mainly be discussing Screws for woods.

We need to be familiar with certain important terms regarding screws before moving on to wood screws. If you have not got your basics covered, don’t worry, we have got you covered in that case!

Things to consider regarding  screws

Every store has a large variety of screws, and each of these varieties has greater sub-divisions based on dimensions like diameter and length. The screws should also be differentiated and recognized based on the material each is composed of. Whether we are talking about screws for wood or other screws, the basics are the same for all. Let us take a quick gaze at the different portions of the screw. 

 Head of the screw

The Head is the starting portion of the screw. It is the part on which you push the screwdriver. The head of the screws is of various types. They have been discussed in detail in the next section. The head portion of the screw is used to determine the countersink size. 

Shank portion

Shank is the only part of the screw that remains situated at the top portion of the timber. Shank helps in determining the total thickness of the screw. And the thickness of the screw helps in understanding the strength of the screw, in general. Since we are talking about woodworking screws here, we must mention that rarely the metal before the wood breaks. 

 Threads of the screw

The concept of threads might appear a bit complex, but they aren’t really. There are two types of threads, coarse and fine threads. For screws for wood, coarse threads are believed to be best, and the best example of this screw is the Rok Hardware #10 x 1″ Coarse Deep Thread Pan Head Screws.  

  Length

Considering the length, there are three most common types of screws needed in every household. They are the 1-inch screw, 2-inch screws, and 3-inch screws. If you are still confused and not sure which length to pick for your kind of work, always remember to purchase screws that are 1/2 inch less than the total amount of timber you are using. This way, you would make sure that the threaded part of the screw gets in the wood by 2/3rds of the total length. This ensures better holding of the pieces together. 

Material of the screw

There is a range of materials of screws one can choose from. One such example is the MS (or mild steel). The screws made with MS are strong but are prone to rust. SS (or Stainless steel) material protects the screws from rusting, but they are a bit expensive. Brass is another expensive material used to make a wood screw, and one such example of the brass wood screw is the Solid Brass Flat Head Philips Wood Screw.      They are mostly used for decorative purposes as they give a classy and shiny look to the screws. Since this is a soft metal material, one should be prepared to see the threads get easily stripped. Before directly jumping to wood screws, let us get a fair amount of knowledge of the types of screws in general.

Types of screws

There are several types of screws found everywhere all around the globe. Each type of screw is distinguished based on certain factors, like what materials they are composed of and how many threads they have. Some of the most notable types of screws are as follows: 

 Wood screw

As one might say, these are the screws for wood. If you want to add more clarity to your understanding, know that these types of screws are composed of a partially unthreaded shank. They are used to keep several timber pieces together. 

Concrete screw

Next is the concrete screw. Judging by the name, it is made up of stainless (even carbon steel). Its usage lies in attaching a few materials or pieces to the concrete. 

  Masonry screw

Next up in the line is the Masonry screw that has a blue coat over it. Such screws are used as an insertion to a pilot hole.

Double-ended (or dowel) screw 

These types of screws possess two ends that are highly pointed and come with no heads usually. The usage of the screws lies in building joints between two pieces of timber, and these joints tend to be hidden. 

Drive screw 

Drive screws are of great importance as they have more than one purpose. They have mushroom or round heads which look and are perfectly smooth. They have reduced diameter shank. 

Drywell screw

Such screws usually are black phosphate coated. The design consists of a huge bugle head, and as the name suggests, they are used for attaching drywall to metal studs or even timber. 

Eyebolt screw

These types of screws possess a looped head. Its usage includes being an attachment point. Along with that, such screws are used for connecting wires across the building surfaces. 

Decking screws

This type includes long screws. The long screws are designed to keep in mind the maximum length given to self-drilling or self-tapping screws. The long screws could also fall for timber screw, drywall screw, or another type of screw. There are a variety of uses for a long screw. The main job of such screws is attachment purpose. Such screws attach heavy metal, soft to hardwood, or even gypsum boards to frame various types of finishes. One such example is the Power Pro Premium wood deck screws. Long screws are handy in attaching deck boards.

 Lag screw bolt 

This type of screw is used as a heavy-duty fastener of premium quality.

 Chipboard Screw

This type of screw is coated with wax. They are mostly used for pinning down chipboard-type flooring. 

 Mirror screw 

The mirror screw is heavily designed and decorated with covers like domes. This helps in masking the head of the screw. 

Twinfast screw 

Such screws are made up of two threads that help use the screw twice as quickly compared to other types. 

Security head screw

This special type of screw is designed in a way that its head is irreversible by every means. This particular feature makes it possible to use such screws for security purposes. 

Let us now get a look at the various kinds of screw heads. The types of heads are:

Pan head type– The heads have larger surfaces and are round-shaped with higher outer edges. The best example of these types is Phillips Stainless Steel pan-head Wood Screw.

Button-type heads are also known as dome heads because of their dome-shaped top with a cylindrical head like SNUG Fasteners. One such screw head example is the SNUG Fasteners Stainless Phillips Head Wood Screws.

Round type head– Mostly used for decorations, this head has a rounded top.

Mushroom type head– These are the dome type with a lower appearance. This type of head helps in preventing any tampering. One such example is the Truss Head Stainless Steel Mushroom Head wood screw.

Countersunk type head– The head of this type is conical with a flatter outer base and an inner surface that is tapered like the M3 Flat Head Wood Screws. 

Oval or raised type head– This type of head has a counter-sunk bottom with a cylindrical top. The usage of this head is mostly for decorative purposes. 

Bugle type– A smooth transition from the shank to the angle of the head like the GRK Star Drive Bugle Head Screw

Cheese type– This type of head looks like a disc with a rounded outer edge.

Fillister type– This type has a cylindrical head designed to form a slightly convex top at the surface.

Flanged type head– This type of head is available in any style but has a unique touch. There is a flange situated at the basal portion of the head. It ensures that no washer is required. 

Types of Screws- Based on Length

 3-inch screw

When talking of screws in terms of their lengths, 3-inch screws are the most common ones. The Hillman Fasteners Deck Screws is a 3-inch screw with 4 layer coating that helps prevent rust and corrosion. 17 point of the screw helps in minimizing board splitting risk. There is no need for pre-drilling, and the flat type head of the screw gives an even finish to work.

 2-inch screw

The last one on this list would be the 2-inch wood screws. One such example of 2-inch wood screws is the WoodPro Fasteners All Purpose Wood Screws. These screws are designed with one T-20 Star Bit, which is 25mm. This Star Drive is Torx compatible.

 1-inch screw

Another widespread length of the screw is the 1-inch wood screws. The 1-inch wood screw is unknowingly a staple in almost every household since forever. The Bronze Star Exterior Coated Wood Screw is an example that you guys might want to consider. 

Such types of screws are made of heat-treated steel of premium quality. They have a coating of ACQ Lumber. Such screws have been tested with salt spray over 1200 hours without a single coating failure. These corrosion-resistant 1-inch wood screws have nibs that help in clean installation too.

Types of Wood Screws

Screws for wood are very helpful to the craftsmen who love crafting wood into different props. There are several types of wood screws based on different aspects. Such screws get inserted rather accurately and hold together the timber or other pieces perfectly in order. Wood screws are also ideal to use in the decorative and delicate handling of the woodwork. Along with that, they are also used in construction and for other purposes. Since this blog is about woodworking screws, let us learn more about wood screws and discuss some of their types.

Stainless Steel Screws

One of the most common types of wood screws is stainless steel screws. The  FIRMERST Stainless Steel Wood Screw is an example of good-quality stainless steel wood screws. The stainless steel screws come with a shoulder to partial threads. The shoulder helps slide through the top portion of the timber and keep it fastened towards the lower material. Such screws come with various head types as well as drive types. Apart from the example mentioned above, another type of stainless steel screw that is very common is the Stainless Square Drive Deck Screws. These deck screws have several functions for architectural purposes or fine handling of timber materials.

Flathead screws

As the name suggests, these flat head screws have a flat-type head portion. Such screws also come in various types. The most common type of flat head screw is the countersink one. The counter-sinking part remains embedded under the surface of the head. The other types include self-tapping flat head screws just like the DYWISHKEY Stainless Steel Flat Head Wood Screws.

Hex Head wood screws

As the name suggests, hex head wood screws have a hexagonal surface at the head. This allows faster and better drilling of the screws in the timber and prevents slipping of the screws like the Stainless Hex Washer Head Self Drilling Screws. Hence, such screws are less prone to getting stripped easily and getting unnecessarily removed. Hex head wood screws are used for flooring, fixing or building roofs and other load-bearing objects.

For your general information, we have also provided a wood screw size chart below:

Conclusion

Contradictory to as simple as it sounds, screws are not easy things. It might look easier to use, but the design and mechanism of screws are a bit complex on the inside. One of the most common types screw we purchase for our everyday use is the wood screw. Though we use it a lot, almost every time, we unknowingly know which ones are the best for what purpose. I hope this blog helps you guys understand how the Woodworking screws work and what dimensions and types are best. 

Image Source: Amazon