What type of screw should i use

Hex bolts have small threads and a smooth shank, and may be plain steel for interior projects or stainless steel or galvanized for exterior use. Wood screws have a threaded shaft and are used to attach wood to wood. These screws can have a few different times of thread. According to Roy, wood screws that have fewer threads per inch of length are best used when fastening soft woods, such as pine and spruce. On the other hand, fine-thread wood screws should be used when connecting hard woods.

Wood screws have many different types of heads, but the most common are round heads and flat heads. The flat head wood screw has a head that is recessed into the work," Roy explains.

Wood screws can be plain steel, brass, stainless steel, or steel with a weather-resistant finish. Sheet metal screws are used to fasten two pieces of sheet metal together, or to connect sheet metal to other types of metal, such as tubing. These screws typically have a round head, flat head, or even a hex head.

Something to keep in mind about sheet metal screws is that they're thread-cutting types, Roy says. They're almost always plain steel, plain steel with a weather-resistant coating, aluminum, or stainless steel, for the maximum in weather resistance. Machine screws are a hybrid between a small bolt and a screw, used to fasten metal to metal, or metal to plastic. Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar Skip to footer Main navigation. Search this website.

Blog DIY Competitions. Twitter Facebook Pin It Buffer. Project Page Menu. Selecting the Right Screw for the Material Use the tables below to work out which screw you should be using for the material or substrate that you are working with. Can be collated for speed of insertion Drywall screws Not Used Externally.

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A hammer drill with masonry bit is necessary for predrilling, but you can use a regular drill to insert these screws. Best For: Attaching wood or metal to concrete. One of the most common uses for masonry screws is to attach wood floor plates to a concrete foundation or basement floor. Similar to wood screws, this specific exterior screw features coarse threads and a smooth upper shank and is manufactured to resist rust and corrosion.

Composite-decking manufacturers specify the use of stainless steel decking screws to install their product. Many decking screws are self-tapping, and come in both Philips and star-drive heads. Best For: Installing exterior decking.

Medium Density Fiberboard MDF often appears in the home in the shape of interior trim, such as base and molding, and in the construction of some assembly-required bookcases and shelving. Harder than solid wood, MDF is more difficult to pierce using regular wood screws without splitting. But the fastener market has made huge strides over the last few decades, giving DIYers better solutions for keeping stuff together. In the days when a screwdriver was the primary means of inserting screws, the Phillips was king.

The Quadrex is a combination of square Robertson and Phillips head screws. It provides a great deal of surface area and allows lots of torque to be applied; a great option for driving-intense options like framing or building a deck. Torx or star drive heads provide lots of power transfer between the driver and screw and are a great option when many screws are needed, as they provide minimum wear to bits.