When to Use Nails Vs. When To Use Screws
Which is stronger? The long-running debate, answered.
Nails and screws are the two most popular wood fasteners, but how do you know which one to use?
demonstrates the shear strength of a standard construction nail, compared to a deck screw. The screw snaps off after a couple twists, but the nail remains intact and in the wood after multiple twists. This test clearly shows that nails are the better choice for structural construction framing where joints and lumber can shift and twist.
Using Wood Screws in Your Woodworking Projects
Wood screws are probably the most commonly-used mechanical woodworking fasteners. They are used primarily for connecting wood to wood and are renowned for the clamping force that they provide to strengthen a joint. They can also be used to attach hinges, hardware, locks and other non-wood objects.
There are many different types of screws, but only certain types of screws are applicable for woodworking.
While all wood screws have an aggressive thread for grabbing and holding the wood, there are many differences in the varieties of wood screws, based on the gauge, length, head type and drive type of the screw in question.
Head Types:
The two most common head types for wood screws are slotted (commonly referred to as flathead) and Phillips (sometimes referred to as cross-head). These two types have been "industry-standard" for a number of years, but two additional head types have been gaining prominence in woodworking screws of late: square-head and square-head Phillips (a combination of Phillips and square-head). These two screw types tend to grip a bit better and resist stripping more than the traditional types, particularly when driving screws with a cordless drill or power drill.
Head Shapes:
Most wood screws usually have one of three head shapes. Round head screws have a rounded top but a flat underside and are typically used for affixing thin objects to wood.
Flat head screws fit into tapered recesses (such as the holes in hinges) and will be flush with the surface when properly applied. Finally, oval head screws are a bit of a combination of the previous two, in that they have a tapered bottom (similar to the flat head screws), but also a slightly rounded top.
Gauges:
Wood screws are rated in gauges, which are indicative of their thread diameter. Simply put, the larger the gauge, the thicker the screw. Most home centers will carry wood screws in as small of a gauge as 6 (which is slightly thicker than 1/8-inch), up to a 12 gauge (which is a bit less than 1/4-inch). In the United States, wood screws larger than 12-gauge are typically listed by their imperial sizes, beginning at 1/4-inch.
Screw Lengths:
The last major differentiation between screws is in the length of the screw. Most American lumber yards and home centers will have screws in lengths from 1/2-inch up to 3-inches, depending on the gauge.
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