
Many woodworkers switched to inexpensive drywall screws when they became readily available a few decades ago.

But old-fashioned tapered steel wood screws can be a pain to use. They’re strong, affordable and readily available in a vast range of sizes. steel screws are the most useful for woodworking and interior DIY projects. The shanks of drywall screws often snap when driven with ambitious force.Īmong the many materials wood screws are made from - brass, bronze, aluminum, etc. Screw Types & Materials Old-fashioned tapered steel wood screws are made from relatively weak steel, so their slot recesses tend to deform and cam out. Hopefully, this exploration will better empower you the next time you need to choose the right screws for the project at hand. Close examination of the various parts of a screw - the material it’s made from, the design of its head, drive style, point and threads, the platings and coatings that protect it from corrosion - will give you a better understanding of all the design and technology that goes into the manufacture I’ve written this article and shot this video to serve as a short primer on wood screws. There are so many choices, it’ll positively make your head spin! But technological developments in construction and wood products manufacturing have spawned an extensive range of new screws in recent decades.

Screws are also good for reinforcing parts assembled with traditional joinery - for example, pinning tenons in their mortises.Ĭhoosing the right wood screw used to be simple pick a zinc or brass screw with the right size and length for the job at hand. or adhesives (and unlike glued joints, screws are removable, so you can take apart whatever you’ve built). From heads to drives, points to threads, platings to coatings, our author gives you a thorough education in the options available in the world of modern screws. Screws form strong connections between parts made from solid wood, plywood and other sheet goods without the need for cut joinery. Wood screws are handy for quickly building jigs and clamping forms, joining cabinet and furniture parts, mounting hardware and trim, and much more. Screws are undoubtedly the most versatile fasteners used in woodworking, but there are a lot of choices.

What kind of screws should you use on your next project?
